Wildfires force cancelation of TransRockies Gravel Royale

TransRockies is being forced to cancel its gravel stage race, Gravel Royale, for a second time. The long-running event promoters announced earlier this week that the wildfire situation in B.C. and Alberta would make running Gravel Royale safely impossible.

“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,” TransRockies’ statement read. “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.”

The 2023 Gravel Royale route was set to pass near several significant fire zones in the Kootenay and Purcell ranges. Since TransRockies announcement, wildfire activity in at least one of those areas, the Horsethief Creek Complex fire, has significantly increased. But concerns over the impact that running the race, with re-routes around closed areas, would have on the local communities and firefighting efforts were also key to TransRockies decision.

B.C. has since declared a provincial state of emergency due to significantly increased wildfire activity in several regions, especially around West Kelowna and Kelowna.

Long history and a little bad luck

This is the second time in recent years that TransRockies has had to cancel the Gravel Royale on relatively short notice. In 2021, a sudden change in provincial health orders forced the veteran race organizers to cancel with just days’ notice. The Gravel Royale made a successful debut in 2022 with Rob Britton and Rachel McBride taking wins.

TransRockies continues to host numerous mountain bike and trail running events, including the classic Singletrack 6 cross country mountain bike stage race. Singletrack 6 was very successfully held recently in a similar area to where Gravel Royale was scheduled to take place. This year, ST6 marked 20 years since TransRockies Challenge first brought XC stage racing to the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

TransRockies statement on the 2023 Gravel Royale cancellation

Since TransRockies provided such a clear statement on the many considerations that go into a decision…