Get Ready for the 2023 Whistler Gran Fondo

August 7, 2023

5 min read

Cyclist in red and black gear riding on a road with spectators behind barriers and a race banner overhead.

The RBC Whistler GranFondo is North America’s largest Gran Fondo as thousands of cyclists pedal the scenic Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler. The 2023 edition starts on September 9th, but there are lots of things to see and do leading up to the race.

Gran Fondo Facts

In Italian, gran fondo means big ride.
A gran fondo is a long-distance road bike ride open to cyclists at all levels.
The event starts in Vancouver’s Stanley Park and ends in Whistler Village.
There are three different distance options at the Whistler Gran Fondo. The main Gran Fondo route is 122 km long. The Forte route adds an extra climb up to Cypress Provincial Park for a total distance of 152 km. And the 55-kilometre-long Medio is an out-and-back route to Whistler Olympic Park from Whistler Village.
Finishers receive a custom meal and there are prizes for the competitive St. Regis Cup portion of the event.

Three cyclists riding on a winding road near a lake with mountains and trees in the background.

Join the PrimaFondo Party

Get ready for the GranFondo with the PrimaFondo Party. (Prima means before in Italian!) Red Truck Brewery is hosting a group ride on Monday, September 4th followed by a barbecue, prizes, and of course beer.

Multiple bicycles parked in racks in front of a red truck with Red Truck Beer branding.

Take a Chill Pre-Race Ride

Keep the legs moving with a relaxed pre-race ride. Locals love the ride around Stanley Park, often referred to as the “sloop” or “sploop” since cyclists often tackle the 10.7 km loop multiple times. Or head out with your family on one of Vancouver’s car-free bike paths.

A person cycling and another jogging on a tree-lined path in a park near a marina with boats and city buildings in the background.

Stretch it Out

Vancouver is the home of yoga-wear giant lululemon, so yoga studios are everywhere. You can even enjoy outdoor classes on the beach! Head to a class for a pre-race stretch session that’s bound to leave you limber and relaxed.

Four people practicing yoga on mats on a rocky beach with a large ship and mountains in the background.

Have a Spa Day

Relax and unwind before the ride with a trip to the spa to relax in saunas, steam rooms, hydrotherapy tubs, and more. Vancouver has lots of quintessentially West Coast Coast spa experiences to choose from. Or book a session at one of the city’s sensory deprivation float tanks to relieve stress and get your brain race-day ready.

Outdoor hot springs pools surrounded by trees and mountains with people walking on pathways under bright sunlight.

Check out the VeloSpoke Bike Expo

The huge VeloSpoke Bike Expo takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Friday, September 8th. Pick up your race package, then stay to check out booths from bike and wellness vendors, chat with experts, and listen to speakers.

A group of people gathered under an orange canopy at an outdoor event with booths and banners in the background.

Grab a Healthy Pre-Race Meal

Fuel your body with a healthy pre-race meal. Vancouver has tons of restaurants that specialize in fresh local ingredients. Head to Tractor Foods for quick-service salads, grain bowls, and soups that cater to a variety of diets from vegan to carnivore. The Naam is Vancouver’s O.G. vegetarian and vegan joint, serving up healthy natural foods for over 50 years. Or treat yourself at The Acorn Restaurant, the MICHELIN Guide-recommended vegetable-forward fine dining restaurant in the hip Main Street neighbourhood.

Two bowls of food on a blue surface; one with cooked vegetables, greens, and dollops of white and green sauce, the other with diced vegetables and small purple flowers.

Carbo-Load in Style

If you’re looking to carbo-load before the Gran Fondo, you can’t go wrong at Nook where they specialize in house-made pasta and wood-fired pizza. For classic Italian, head to Savio Volpe, which offers rustic and regional food styled after an old-school osteria. For something special, try Ask for Luigi, an intimate, family-style pasta spot that’s MICHELIN Guide-recommended.