Feature Visitor - Mark Kaltenbach

Shamelessly I was perusing Facebook this summer and came across a race called the Furious 3. In Fernie? Shocked to not have heard of this previously, and excited at the prospect, I went to the fan page and then to the website to see if it was legit. Yes, this is a three day stage race set for July 1-3, 2011 and it’s in Fernie! I was ecstatic to say the least and immediately got in touch with the race organizer, Mark Kaltenbach. Who is this guy and why did he choose Fernie? The internal dialogue was biker vs. editor, and when Mark and I finally spoke the editor took over and alas we have our first Feature Visitor… something I have been long contemplating as there are numerous second home owners, visitors, new residents and the like that work behind the scenes to help add value to Fernie and its community. I would like to introduce you to Mark, he’s one of these people and is helping to put Fernie on the map with the Furious3.

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I began biking at a very early age, but it really all began when I was 14 years old. I saved up my paper money to buy my first bike. It was an Apollo Kuwahara BMX bike for $214 at Ike’s Bikes in Victoria. I couldn’t afford the factory Kuwahara that was on ET because it was a little more money at $250. And that’s where I got hooked. I got into BMX racing and BMX Freestyle and then after a few years bought my first road bike at 16 and began road racing. I started working at bike shops at 16 years old as well. Since then I’ve worked in the bike industry off and on for the last 24 years. I started a bike shop in Calgary and one in Kitsilano and also organized triathlons for four years. After being away from the industry for a couple years I began to miss it.

After doing one of the longer seven day multistage mountain bike races in 2008 I kept thinking about how great it would be to have a three day event that you could host over a long weekend. In Fernie last September it hit me that this was the perfect venue. Fernie has a multitude of trails of such varying terrain and all of the facilities that a multi-day race would need to be self-sufficient. The warmth and hospitality in Fernie definitely helps.

It was then that I started to organize the Furious3 multi stage Mountain Bike Race. At first I thought that I would host the race in 2010, but I quickly figured out that it would be a rush to get it together and organized properly so I changed the agenda and decided the inaugural event would be on the weekend of July 1 to 3 of 2011.

The Furious3 caters to many different types of riders. It could be for those looking for a warm up or training race for the TransRockies, a shorter race to get a taste of multi day competition, an event for those that can’t find the time or money to invest in a longer multi day race, or just for someone interested in having fun and challenging themselves to a three day ride.

The goal was for it to appeal to a larger demographic. Having each day start and finish in Fernie allows people to bring their friends and family to watch and support them. Once they’ve watched the athletes ride out of sight they can either go out on the course and support at various course lookouts or enjoy some time hiking, biking, golfing, white water rafting, shopping or whatever their hearts desire. And, with time to spare they can welcome their athlete into the finish each day.

The format also lets participants make the experience into what suits them. If they would like to stay at the Mount Fernie Provincial Park campground and eat hotdogs and marshmallows cooked over the open fire, they can do that. If they would rather stay at one of the locally owned establishments and eat out at restaurants each night that is their option.

I understand the importance of supporting the community and the environment that supports us. Alongside being committed to local businesses and merchants, we’re helping to rebuild and maintain the trails that we use by purchasing each athlete a membership to the Fernie Mountain Bike Club. The fees for these memberships will go to fund and support trail crews and purchase equipment needed to maintain and build the epic trails in the Fernie area.

1. When did you first visit Fernie and what brought you here? The first time I came to Fernie was back in the early 90s. I had moved to Calgary from Victoria, BC, where I grew up, to be closer to the mountains. I had friend that had a condo at the Griz Inn so we would go to Fernie Mountain Resort regularly to ski. I had already worked and played at other hills, but had never had as many great powder days as I had in Fernie, so I just kept coming back.
2. What was your first impression? My first impression was that it was a small, laid back town with great skiing.
3. What is your favourite business or hang out zone? Being a bike addict from way back, I enjoy hanging out at the skills park and watching some of the kids doing tricks on the dirt jumps. Last week I saw a kid pull off a perfect back flip. I also like to frequent the bike shops in town, Straightline, Ski Base and the Guide’s Hut, and of course the Curry Bowl for Thai and Indian food.
4. What keeps you coming back? The question is why wouldn’t you come back? Great powder days in the winter, great biking in the summer, a great place to relax and take it easy with great people. We bring friends to Fernie to ski and to bike and there is always something for everyone. From total beginner to the old veteran riders, we’re never bored. The atmosphere and the amenities in Fernie are hard to beat.
5. Do you have a favourite Fernie memory? I would have to say New Years 1999. We skied for a few days before and had perfect powder days every single day. For New Years we had a great party with friends at The Griz. I’m not so sure the Griz staff loved us that night as it seemed that most of our floor ended up in our room at some point in the evening, and then another day of perfect skiing again the day after. At least for those of us who could get out of bed.
6. What is your favourite time of the year in Fernie and why? I would say my favorite time of the year in Fernie is the summer. I’m a summer guy. Being from Victoria I’ve always loved riding and beaches and unfortunately the riding and the beaches are a lot less fun in the winter.
7. Where do you see Fernie in 5 to 10 years? Having seen how far Fernie has come in the past 10 years, I would say there is still a lot of growth to come. More and more people are finding out about the hospitality and the lure of Fernie. Many people know about the skiing and have been here over the years to experience Fernie Mountain Resort and the City of Fernie in the winter. People are just finding out about the endless biking possibilities. The word is spreading and there is excitement every time I start talking to someone about riding in Fernie. They’re eyes light up and they instantly start rattling off their favorite trails. They’ll say things like,“ Have you ridden Project 9? How about Mad Cow/Swine Flu?” I think mountain biking will bring in a whole new demographic to the area in the summers to come.
8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals? We typically camp when we come to Fernie at the Mount Fernie Provincial Park campground and our daily ritual is to visit the Aquatic Centre for a shower. The other campers and our friends are very thankful of our daily ritual.
9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you. While I was in Australia training to do the Australia Ironman in 2001 I was coerced by some friends into being on a Korean game show where we competed in silly games against some well known, in Korea, actors and personalities. And we won!

Quote to live by: Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out shouting, “Holy crap, what a ride.”