Community Events - On Your Bike

Photo by Kirsty Morris, FAR

My name is Rebecca and I don’t mountain bike. There, I said it. Feels okay actually. After years of raised eyebrows and sideways stares, I thought it might be harder to admit so much. I’ve never really understood the attraction of flying down a mountain face first holding on to nothing but a twisted piece of alloy; well, at least not without a soft cushiony blanket of snow to break my fall on. It seems I am almost alone in this respect however; I can count on one hand the number of people I know in Fernie who don’t mountain bike to some degree. I do have a bike though, and I am happy to say that events in August cater to absolutely every kind of biker regardless of age, style, ability or experience - even me!

Kicking off the month on August 4 the lovely people down at the eco-garden are offering something even I can participate in - a ‘Backyard Barnyard Bike Tour’- a fun bicycle tour to visit Fernie backyard farmers raising hens, bees and more followed by an entertaining video slideshow and discussion centred on urban livestock opportunities. Sign up at the college of the Rockies for just $10. Tour starts at 7pm.

Something else I can do is volunteer. There are so many amazing bike events in Fernie in August; helping out is a great way to participate for anyone who can’t tell a crank from a cassette. In past years I’ve volunteered at the Canada Cup and Transrockies and this year I’m going to put my name down for the Highline 100 on Saturday, August 7. Society director Jerry Nieuwesteeg stresses that this event is a fun ride rather than a race and is looking forward to welcoming up to 150 participants this year. “Rain or shine, the ride goes!” He says.

With a truly unique route starting from Highline Drive at Fernie Alpine Resort and passing through the beautiful South Country, the ride includes a hop across the US border for ‘a refreshment’ for those who take their passports and plenty of other great stops including cinnamon buns at Grasmere, ice cream at the 3&93 Dairy Bar and a fantastic hosted lunch and dinner. Everyone is welcome, if they can manage at least 100km - “We get a fairly even mix of male/female riders, and we’ve had participants from 17 to 74,” Jerry told me. “Road bikes or hybrids are recommended, but some hearty souls have done the ride on mountain bikes.” The ‘100’ in the name describes the distance - ride either 100km (ending at the 3&93 Dairy Bar) or the full 100 miles (160km!) that most participants chose to complete, finishing with a gruelling but short final climb back up to Highline Drive. For more information or to sign up, visit www.highline100.com.

For downhill junkies, Fernie Alpine Resort and TransRockies pull out all the stops and attract enthusiasts from around the world for two of the summer’s biggest mountain biking events. TransRockies is now in its ninth year and following the trend of annual route changes, the start line returns to Fernie for 2010. This won't be just a quick sprint out of town to kick off the race however, expect a full weekend of exciting races with the new addition of the Fernie Time Trials for the weekend of August 8-10. Alongside the exhilarating start of the TransRockies is the Fernie Museum’s “Spoke-Lore – The Evolution of Biking in Fernie” exhibit begins as well as the official launch of the Fernie Mountain Bike Guide at the historic Fernie Museum building and street side BBQ - 362b Victoria Avenue.. Visit www.transrockies.com for more.

At Fernie Alpine Resort, the party atmosphere continues with the hugely popular Full Throttle Mountain Bike Festival on August 21-22. There are competitions for every caliber of rider including downhill and cross country races, and plenty of entertainment and excitement for the whole family. See www.skifernie.com/summer for details.

It seems like that should cover all the bases but there’s one very special group left offering one very special bike event. The Fernie Mountain Bike Club takes the competition off the trails and gets down and dirty at the dirt jump park with the Wam Bam Dirt Jump Jam on Saturday, August 21. The fun and freewheeling starts at 5.30pm and is guaranteed to be as much fun for spectators as participants. Registration is $35 until August 13. For more information visit: www.bikefernie.com/events. FMBC continues their events calendar through September with the Project 9 All Mountain Race on September 9, Dirt Diggler Fall Classic DH on Sept 18 and the ever popular High Roller Poker Ride on Sept 25. A new event brought to you by two local mountain bike and running enthusiasts (respectively) is the first annual Tears & Gears – a mountain running and biking duathlon. Set for September 4, enter as a two person team or individually for a unique and breathtaking challenge. Visit www.fernietearsandgears.com.

OTHER FEATURED EVENTS IN AUGUST
ECOGARDEN
If you attended the film Clean Bin Project you’ll know that composting is the one thing that everybody should be doing, if nothing else - at least in the eyes of the filmmakers. Composting is a growing trend in Fernie and, if done right, is perfectly safe in our bear-aware environment. Compost This! Learn about composting your garden and kitchen wastes, designing the best bins and vermicomposting. Bring gloves and boots on Wednesday, August 25, 7-9pm, at the EcoGarden for $10. Visit www.ecogarden.ca or call 250-423-3482 to register.
The Ecogarden also hosts Work Party Wednesdays; learn, grow and share from 4-8pm on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Drop in at the Ecogarden behind the Tom Uphill Manor.

ELKO FESTIVAL
The Elko fourth Annual Country Festival of Entertainers will be held on August 8 in aid of the Elko Hall. A packed day of fun and entertaining events includes a Pancake Breakfast from 9-11am, Cowboy Church at 11:15am, Shows at 2pm and 7pm, Dinner at 5:15pm and ends with an Evening Social at 9pm. Full day tickets are just $28. Email southcountry@xplornet.com for more information.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
At the Central: Maria in the Shower plays Friday August 6. Wordfest 3 offers a Bukowski flavor on August 20 with two sets of spoken word performances plus open mic shenanigans.
Five Alarm Funk return to Fernie on Friday August 13, burning up The Clubhouse at the Fernie Golf and Country Club. $35 includes a prime rib dinner!

GOLF
Ladies feature big at the Fernie Golf and Country Club in August with the Ladies Golf for the Cure on Tuesday August 3, the He/She Tournament on Saturday August 7, and the Fernie Ladies Open Amateur Open on Tuesday August 17. For more info visit www.golffernie.com.

FERNIE FUN FEST
The Mountain Market and the Fernie Heritage Library bring you a day of fun events on Sunday August 29. Visit Rotary Park during the day and the Library in the evening. More information on this event will be available as the day nears, so keep your eyes and ears open!