The details
Date: Sat Sept 9, 2023
Distance: 152km / 97 mi
Start: Stanley Park, Vancouver
Finish: Whistler Village, Whistler
Elevation: 3100m / 10,100 ft
Rest Stops: 4 full support + 1 water stop top of Cypress + 1 mechanical only
Start time: 6.00am
Age: Riders must be 19 or older
Calling all rockstars
When it comes to the challenge of RBC GranFondo Whistler, the 152km truly Forte raises the bar.
Leaving Stanley Park just before daybreak, Forte riders tackle an additional epic 876m Category 1 climb up North Shore’s Cypress Bowl Road to the Cypress Mountain ski area before a thrilling sunrise-soaked descent joins them back up with the Gran Fondo riders all the way to Whistler.
Ahead, the turquoise expanse of Howe Sound will frame one awesome journey up the Sea-to-Sky corridor, encompassing breathtaking cycling through the Tantalus and Garibaldi mountain ranges and a serious sea of admiring faces at the finish.
Limited to 250 riders – expanded to 550 riders due to unprecedented demand.
Swag, medals and prizing
The Forte is special. We recognise the extra challenge this category holds, and that’s reflected in-part by the special adornments Forte riders receive.
This includes: an extra large finishers’ medal (the 2019 version weighed almost half a kilo / a full lb) and Forte-only rider socks so your fellow cyclists can gaze upon you with wonder and admiration. Oh, and they look pretty sweet too.
In addition, you’ll receive a full premium rider swag bag at package pickup.
In it to win it?
The women’s and men’s winner of the Forte will both receive Cypress passes, thanks to Cypress Mountain.
The Silver pass is Cypress Mountain’s best value pass. It gets you Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding during the off-peak period.
Podium prizes
Thanks to Herschel Supply Co, the overall top 3 women and men in the Forte will each win a Herschel Trade Carry On! Black for the gents, rose for the ladies.
100% unforgettable
This is the category that earns serious extra respect, both from us and the other riders. To tackle it is to do something special, and so uniquely all Forte riders receive a pair of highly sought-after socks, a louder bib & bike plate and one killer-sized medal, weighing in over 2 lbs. To placate your legs, we support you with world-class nutrition at each of the 5 rest-stops along the way to the finish, and there’s an ice cold drink on us waiting to kick off your celebrations when you cross the line. The party lasts all day, and the achievement last a lifetime.
Places are strictly limited each year.
