WHEN YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY

POV: In 2010 you founded the first ever Gran Fondo cycling event in North America. Figure that - they just didn't exist this side of the Atlantic before. Wild.

Fast forward til now, and thousands of roadies every day take their embarrassingly shiny and non-mud coated rides up to places like Seymour, PoMo, the Fraser Valley and Sechelt, cranking out everything from coffee rides to 100km+ lung busters and having a blast in the process. We're stoked to see how far road riding has come in such a short space of time in this neck of the woods.

But in the meantime there's been this voice whispering constantly in your head. It's saying, "go further and explore, Master Luke". This shapeless voice speaks sense given you live in a land famed for mountain culture, epic wilderness and a just send it attitude. Even the first exploratory ride through the emerald forested trails in your backyard gives you a whole body feeling like you've never felt before.

So you grab your buds and get them stoked too. You pack the cooler full, pick a day with the sun doing its thing and go adventuring in formation, helmeted hair wishing it was loose in the breeze. A little bit of FSR here, some switchbacks there, sod it - let's bank that climb too - no real idea where you're going which quickly turns into the entire point. You're out of cell reception, the boss is on mute. Life is good.

That was then; this is now. Today you're lord of the trails, ripping around on a bike that looks like roadie home but is as happy as a dog with zoomies out in the bush.

When the pandemic hit, your newly dopamine-addled brain had an idea. What if it used this time to come up with a new event, one that hadn't been seen before; one that wasn't the same old gravel 200km grind-fest that you can get everywhere else. BC is unique, so play to its strengths my sir.

Bang, XFONDO was born. Coming in with a say yes attitude, willingness to roll those sleeves up and pump some sweet tunes while we're all at it, this is an event where the campfire and storytelling of our biking travails is as important as the act of turning up. Friendship over fear, get exploring, test yourself, turn down the seriousness dial. Feel like a rad human because you do rad things. Choose anything but vanilla. We could keep writing words. You get the idea. 

LISTEN UP  ROAD RIDERS

Sure you're flashy and all, but do you really have what it takes to go beyond the flat stuff?

All-terrain cycling asks all sorts of squeaky-bum time questions of you. Loose rocks. Dirt. Bike handling. Tight turns through trees. Picking up what we're puttin' down?

It's okay if you're scratching your head. That's why we made Offroad 101.

NON-WATTAGE STATS

"I'M IN FOR A DAY HERE" REALISATIONS

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CLOTHES THAT WILL COME BACK CLEAN

%

"THIS IS FINE EVERYTHING IS FINE"

%

NORMAL PEOPLE WHO WILL UNDERSTAND YOUR GLORY

%
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Protecting our natural lands

XFONDO partners with AWARE - the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment - to help divert waste from landfill and establish best working practices in event management.

FAQ

Roadies, gravel riders, people who name trees amongst their friends and anyone who likes to get their heartrate up a bit on two wheels.

XFONDO will challenge you. If you're comfortable with steep ups, plus winding and sometimes rocky descents, our events are the perfect fit.

PS - you might have heard of us as the creators of the award winning RBC GranFondo Whistler. XFONDO is not that, but it's the same pedigree running through our blood.

Let's cut straight to the chase: your best bet is a gravel bike. Lots of offroad capability, disc brakes, gears for ascending and grippy tires. 

Although we ride on road some of the time, your shiny aero bike weighing 400 grammes is not the equipment you want to bring.

Good news! We have a full explainer on Offroad 101.

Here, you ride everything. Road, gravel, dirt and trail. We haven't come across another event like it. This is the cycling equivalent of a dish that tickles all of your tastebuds in one bite. And trust us, you're gonna get hungry for more.

CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON

Strap yourself in; things are about to get interesting

We'll get you dirty but not bloody

XFONDO & The Resort Municipality of Whistler is grateful to be on the shared, unceded territory of the Lil’wat People, known in their language as Lil̓wat7úl, and the Squamish People, known in their language as Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh, and respects and commits to a deep consideration of their history, culture, stewardship and voice.

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