Whistler Gran Fondo Giro feed zone help?
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:42 pm
Hi All,
This Saturday is the Vancouver to Whistler Gran Fondo Ride and Giro Race. I have entered the Giro race. The race guide just came out for the Giro. In the race guide and upon confirmation with event organizers there is no 'feed zone' support for Giro riders. So in essence there is no one to hand riders a feed bag or water.
Therefore, unless you have someone to hand you something you have to carry it up. So now with weather forecast for 30 c. I am thinking I need to carry an extra ~1.5 lbs of water up the mountain on my back. I likely can't stop and pick anything up since I'll likely be at my limit just holding on to Cat 1-2-3 seasoned racers. If I lose the peloton I am toast!
So now the ask; Does anyone know anybody that is racing and might be willing to have their support person hand me a water bottle? I really at a minimum just need a water bottle at either of the feed zones. I can carry my own.. about to go try that out on the bike now but... it would be way better to have something organized. I might try contacting a bigger race team in Vancouver. Any contacts or ideas are welcome.
Cheers,
Kevin
- feed zone info below.
http://www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com/sit ... eGuide.pdf
Giro Feed Zone #1 – South of Stawamus Chief (61KM)
Location:
The Giro Feed Zone #1 will be located just south of the Stawamus Chief (north of Shannon Falls / south of Squamish).
This area is located at approximately the 61km mark of the 122km course, thus respecting the Cycling BC provision that the feed zone be located after the 50km mark and not within the last 20km of the race.
This area is also approximately 4km south of the Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
Feed Zone Access:
Giro Team volunteers accessing Giro Feed Zone #1 are invited to do so well in advance of the race itself – keep in mind the following:
• A 60kph speed limit will imposed on much of Hwy 99 on Sat. Sept 10, 2010.
• This is the second year for this event and traffic pattern changes to the roadway
to facilitate event will make predicting congestion on the highway difficult.
• Plan ahead – Leave early (long before the race has started)
Parking:
There is absolutely no space to park vehicles directly adjacent to the Giro Feed Zone #1.
Teams are requested to park at the Stawamus Chief South Parking Area located 1km to the north and walk back to the Giro Feed Zone.
Note: Vehicle access across the course and to this parking area is being managed by a Traffic Control Person (TCP). Giro Feed Zone #1 is only a 1km walk south from the parking area.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2011 TOIT Events Inc., all rights reserved. 11
2011 RBC GranFondo Whistler Giro Race Guide

Giro Feed Zones
Giro Feed Zone #2 – Swift Creek Road (76KM)
Location:
The GIRO FEED ZONE #2 will be located at Swift Creek Road also known as the North bound Tantalus Glacier Lookout. Swift Creek Road is located approximately at the 76km mark of the 122km course.
This feed zone is ideally located at 76km but with insufficient rise to slow riders. Riders are encouraged to enter the feed zone with caution.
Feed Zone Access:
Giro Team volunteers accessing the Giro Feed Zone #2 must be at the location prior to 8:30am. Access to the parking area beyond this time will be at the discretion Team Support person. Once again, please plan ahead and leave long before the start of the race itself.
Parking:
There is space for a limited number of Giro Team volunteer vehicles at the location. You
are to pick up your “Course Access Pass” at Package Pickup on Friday Sept 10.
Vehicle access to and from the Swift Creek Road parking area will not managed by GranFondo Canada volunteers. You are required to use your discretions when crossing the course, and park in a location Up the road. Vehicles departing from Swift Creek Road will be permitted to travel northbound towards Whistler only. Vehicles must not drive in the GranFondo lane way. Use extreme caution when leaving and crossing the event lane. If not safe, team members should expect to experience significant delays as it is likely that GranFondo participants may be within meters of the Giro event.
The second option for parking is at the South bound Tantalus View point: located 500 meters north of the Swift Creek Road access, which is strongly recommended. Vehicle access to and from the Tantalus View point parking area will not managed by GranFondo Canada volunteers. You are required to use your discretions when crossing the course, and park in a location Up the road. Vehicles departing from Swift Creek Road will be permitted to travel in either direction. Vehicles must not drive in the GranFondo lane way.
This Saturday is the Vancouver to Whistler Gran Fondo Ride and Giro Race. I have entered the Giro race. The race guide just came out for the Giro. In the race guide and upon confirmation with event organizers there is no 'feed zone' support for Giro riders. So in essence there is no one to hand riders a feed bag or water.
Therefore, unless you have someone to hand you something you have to carry it up. So now with weather forecast for 30 c. I am thinking I need to carry an extra ~1.5 lbs of water up the mountain on my back. I likely can't stop and pick anything up since I'll likely be at my limit just holding on to Cat 1-2-3 seasoned racers. If I lose the peloton I am toast!
So now the ask; Does anyone know anybody that is racing and might be willing to have their support person hand me a water bottle? I really at a minimum just need a water bottle at either of the feed zones. I can carry my own.. about to go try that out on the bike now but... it would be way better to have something organized. I might try contacting a bigger race team in Vancouver. Any contacts or ideas are welcome.
Cheers,
Kevin
- feed zone info below.
http://www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com/sit ... eGuide.pdf
Giro Feed Zone #1 – South of Stawamus Chief (61KM)
Location:
The Giro Feed Zone #1 will be located just south of the Stawamus Chief (north of Shannon Falls / south of Squamish).
This area is located at approximately the 61km mark of the 122km course, thus respecting the Cycling BC provision that the feed zone be located after the 50km mark and not within the last 20km of the race.
This area is also approximately 4km south of the Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
Feed Zone Access:
Giro Team volunteers accessing Giro Feed Zone #1 are invited to do so well in advance of the race itself – keep in mind the following:
• A 60kph speed limit will imposed on much of Hwy 99 on Sat. Sept 10, 2010.
• This is the second year for this event and traffic pattern changes to the roadway
to facilitate event will make predicting congestion on the highway difficult.
• Plan ahead – Leave early (long before the race has started)
Parking:
There is absolutely no space to park vehicles directly adjacent to the Giro Feed Zone #1.
Teams are requested to park at the Stawamus Chief South Parking Area located 1km to the north and walk back to the Giro Feed Zone.
Note: Vehicle access across the course and to this parking area is being managed by a Traffic Control Person (TCP). Giro Feed Zone #1 is only a 1km walk south from the parking area.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2011 TOIT Events Inc., all rights reserved. 11
2011 RBC GranFondo Whistler Giro Race Guide

Giro Feed Zones
Giro Feed Zone #2 – Swift Creek Road (76KM)
Location:
The GIRO FEED ZONE #2 will be located at Swift Creek Road also known as the North bound Tantalus Glacier Lookout. Swift Creek Road is located approximately at the 76km mark of the 122km course.
This feed zone is ideally located at 76km but with insufficient rise to slow riders. Riders are encouraged to enter the feed zone with caution.
Feed Zone Access:
Giro Team volunteers accessing the Giro Feed Zone #2 must be at the location prior to 8:30am. Access to the parking area beyond this time will be at the discretion Team Support person. Once again, please plan ahead and leave long before the start of the race itself.
Parking:
There is space for a limited number of Giro Team volunteer vehicles at the location. You
are to pick up your “Course Access Pass” at Package Pickup on Friday Sept 10.
Vehicle access to and from the Swift Creek Road parking area will not managed by GranFondo Canada volunteers. You are required to use your discretions when crossing the course, and park in a location Up the road. Vehicles departing from Swift Creek Road will be permitted to travel northbound towards Whistler only. Vehicles must not drive in the GranFondo lane way. Use extreme caution when leaving and crossing the event lane. If not safe, team members should expect to experience significant delays as it is likely that GranFondo participants may be within meters of the Giro event.
The second option for parking is at the South bound Tantalus View point: located 500 meters north of the Swift Creek Road access, which is strongly recommended. Vehicle access to and from the Tantalus View point parking area will not managed by GranFondo Canada volunteers. You are required to use your discretions when crossing the course, and park in a location Up the road. Vehicles departing from Swift Creek Road will be permitted to travel in either direction. Vehicles must not drive in the GranFondo lane way.