The details
Date: Back in 2021. Take The Classics challenge instead
Distance: 152km / 97 mi
Start: Stanley Park, Vancouver
Finish: Whistler Village, Whistler
Elevation: 3100m / 10,100 ft
Rest Stops: 5
Start time: 6.05am
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 400 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 2018 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.
2019 official apparel
The ‘road to 2020’ training jersey is now available to buy. Official merchandise will be released soon.
In it to win it?
The women’s and men’s winner of the Forte will both receive full Cypress G8 passes, thanks to Cypress Mountain.
The G8 Pass gives you skiing and riding all day, all night, all-Season—no restrictions. Cypress will also provide access to exclusive Cypress Mountain offers and other great perks!
2020
The Forte will be back in 2021 while we run the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships alongside RBC GranFondo Whistler.
In the meantime, we’re challenging all past Forte riders to take on the Classics category. Think you can survive without all that fancy carbon? Let’s find out.
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.