It is all about the expansive and dramatic terrain for cyclists.

91裸聊视频淚 like the course. I like that you91裸聊视频檙e really going to an awesome tour of the area,91裸聊视频� said Kelly Servinski of Squamish, who crossed the finish line to complete the 160-kilometre Granfondo distance with Axel Merckx. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not professional riders. It91裸聊视频檚 a lot of fun, it91裸聊视频檚 hard. The scenery is beautiful.91裸聊视频�

Servinski, among 2,500 riders in last Sunday91裸聊视频檚 event, said the people cheering on the riders from the sidelines provides a great atmosphere, as does the camaraderie with the other cyclists.

91裸聊视频淧enticton is a beautiful place to come,91裸聊视频� he said.

Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 Peter Watson completed the 92-km Mediofondo distance and rode the course as a guide. He was asked by organizers to assist riders. Carrying extra equipment with him, Watson changed three tires and helped a couple of riders with dropped chains.

91裸聊视频淚t was really fun to see a different aspect of the race,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭ypically I91裸聊视频檓 more towards the front row and fast. Today was all about cruising along; chatted with people. It was really cool to see. Everyone was smiling.91裸聊视频�

Penticton residents Sunette and Perold Louw finished the 55-km Cortofondo together.

91裸聊视频淚 think the drafting is a lot of fun. Just the spirit of the fondo and everybody is welcome,91裸聊视频� said Sunette, of what she likes most about Granfondo which was her third time participating. 91裸聊视频淚t is always quite a high just to be part of the event. I think if you feel strong, you can ride hard. If you feel like you are not strong, you can ride slow and still have a good time. It91裸聊视频檚 a very dynamic atmosphere.91裸聊视频�

Her husband added its nice to ride in the crowd, but he also enjoys the drafting aspect and 91裸聊视频渇lying down the highway.91裸聊视频� He said the event creates a nice atmosphere.

Trevor Linden, president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks, who completed the 160-km Granfondo distance, has participated every year.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 always a great day here in Penticton,91裸聊视频� said Linden. 91裸聊视频淚t was hot, but it was nice. I like to work hard and then eat hamburgers after.91裸聊视频�

Merckx said it was another great year for the event as he received a lot of positive feedback from participants, the City of Penticton, sponsors and volunteers. The most important thing to Merckx is that everybody had a great time.

91裸聊视频淭here is a lot of enthusiasm behind the event,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲e are really proud of what we have done over the last seven years. We couldn91裸聊视频檛 have done it without the support of the city. That is important to us. The feeling that I have is that it is actually becoming the city91裸聊视频檚 event. This is their event. It91裸聊视频檚 really cool to see people rally behind that.91裸聊视频�

The event concluded Monday with a volunteer appreciation night.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a huge part, an important part of our event,91裸聊视频� said Merckx. 91裸聊视频淲e want to be thankful to all the volunteers.91裸聊视频�

Piccolofondo a hit with families

The Piccolofondo on Saturday attracted 300 kids.

91裸聊视频淚t is a huge part of our weekend,91裸聊视频� said Merckx, whose wife, Jodi, is behind organizing that event. 91裸聊视频淚t brings a lot of enthusiasm, not only to the participants, but I think to the local community also. A lot of local families sign up their kids. It is a cool event to be part of.91裸聊视频�

William Lemieux, nine, experienced glory on the hot day, winning his race.

91裸聊视频淭he race was hard. It was just quite easy to win,91裸聊视频� said William, part of a riding group in Calgary.

The Piccolofondo is free for kids 12 and under as they participate in a race as small as 400 metres up to five km in a loop past Okanagan Lake and around Gyro Park.

Apex Mountain Hill Climb

Between 40 and 50 cyclists rode the Passo Apex Hill Climb Race last Saturday, which is 12 km featuring an elevation of 861 m with an average gradient of 7.9 per cent. said it is worthy of the Tour de France. Merckx agreed it was a difficult climb.

91裸聊视频淚 took my time. It was a nice ride up there. It91裸聊视频檚 kind of a nice warm up for the fondo,91裸聊视频� said Merckx. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 just looking to have a good time with some friends.91裸聊视频�

Merckx, who competed in the Tour de France, said the climb reminded him of the famous L91裸聊视频橝lpe d91裸聊视频橦uez climb in France. Merckx said Apex Mountain road is pretty steep in the beginning, hard in the start, and it gets better towards the end.

91裸聊视频淚t gets less steep towards the end of the climb,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 wider and less switchbacks. On the grade side, it really reminds me of that climb.91裸聊视频�

sports@pentictonwesternnews.com
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