provided by Upsolut Event GMBH
August 8, 2003 – Mountain bike enthusiasts from ten countries are converging for the Transrockies Challenge 2003. The wheels are set for the 2nd annual TransRockies Challenge (August 10 – 16, 2003), the ultimate adventure mountain bike race in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. From Fernie, British Columbia to Canmore, Alberta amateur and pro teams from ten nations, among them South Africa and New Zealand, are estimated to grind their way back and forth over the Continental Divide while bouncing, grunting and pedaling through exactly 594 kilometers and 12,854 altitude meters of wilderness trails, all part of the Transrockies Challenge 2003. It will be a test of physical endurance and mental determination. It is the ultimate challenge for mountain bike enthusiasts from all over the world.
One of the participants will be Brett Wolfe. The 34 year-old from Seattle is probably the world's most well known handicapped mountain biker. With his physical disability – he lacks his right lower leg – he shows impressive performances. At the Transrockies Challenge, Wolfe will start in the mixed category, together with Julene Mitchell from Santa Cruz, California.
The Transrockies Challenge is organized as a wilderness mountain bike race, where participants sleep in tent villages that are set up prior to their arrival and broken down immediately after the start each morning. Enthusiasts will be faced to endure the climate and physical challenges of the Canadian Rockies.
Each of the seven stages begins at 8:00 am and riders are expected to reach the finish line by 6:00 pm daily. Stages include breakfast, dinner and an awards ceremony where the winners of each category are awarded Leader Jerseys. After the final stage, team times will be calculated to determine the overall winners of each category, dispensing a total of $20,000 CDN in prize money. The Transrockies toughest stage will be held on August 14. On their way from Sandy McNabb to Bragg Creek riders will have to traverse an amazing 108 kilometers and 2,430 altitude meters.
“Wow! What an incredible event! Thank you all for your effort, your time, your hard work and amiability before and during the race. It really was the experience of my life. The route was fascinating, the support crew was wonderful and the landscape was amazing. There is nothing I would change about the Transrockies Challenge.” – says participant Nick Broskovich from New York who was in last years race.
The Transrockies Challenge offers four different categories including open women, open men, mixed and masters (combined age of both riders must exceed 80). The minimum age for participation is 18. The riders of each team must remain together at all times during the race. If at any point, riders separate by more than two minutes, the team will receive a time penalty.
The Transrockies Challenge is based on the highly successful adidas BIKE Transalp Challenge in, which annually attracts more than 5.000 enquiries for the 400 available starting positions.