Out of control raging wildfires in Canada and treacherous weather conditions in the United States forced two popular amateur cycling events to cancel this past weekend.

The TransRockies Gravel Royale stage race announced that the wildfire situation in British Colombia and Alberta would make safely holding the 4-stage gravel event impossible due to: Wildfire Proximity, Evacuation Concerns/Emergency Response, Course Disruption, Uncontained Mia Creek Fire, Air Quality/Smoke Concerns, and Permit Uncertainty.

“It is with heavy hearts and a commitment to safety as our top priority, we regret to announce the cancellation of the highly anticipated TransRockies Gravel Royale 2023. The decision comes in response to the ongoing wildfire situation that has affected the race route and surrounding areas. Despite our dedicated efforts and consultations with BC Wildfire officials over the past week, it has become apparent that proceeding with the event would pose too great a risk to participants, staff, and the local communities.” Posted on TransRockiesGravelroyale.com

Also cancelling on Sunday was the 50th Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb, long considered the hardest hillclimb race in North America at 7.6 miles in length with an average gradient of 12%. The weather in New Hampshire atop Mount Washington (6288’) had sustained hurricane force winds at 70mph, with gusts close to 90. Dangerous hypothermic conditions also existed, with windchill temperatures below freezing, humidity at 100% and snow flurries in the air.

On Facebook the organizer posted, “To our riders who are disappointed by the call we made regarding today and were in the valley this morning. It was gorgeous. Sun, light wind and dry air. A day I would be ecstatic to grab my bike or hiking shoes. This is what makes this event so challenging and these decisions so difficult – the base is lovely but the summit is a different story. Check out the morning report around 6 am. Sustained winds at 70 mph with gusts in the 80’s. Windchill below freezing and 100% RH (relative humidity). That means wet. Cold, wet and higher winds than Saturday. That’s why this was cancelled today.”

Both events plan to return in 2024.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

© 2019-2023 All Rights Reserved Gran Fondo Daily News