Bankers in spandex?
It’s an usual image, but not so much for five fit employees the Campbell River branch of the Royal Bank of Canada.
On Sept. 7, Jeannie Applin, Marie Louise Mulder, Vicky Williams, Stephen Turple and manager Matt Bruiningwill be tackling the RBC Whistler Granfondo.
They have been busy training to take on the 122 kilometre event which takes them from downtown Vancouver to Whistler. The total elevation gain is 1,700 metres which is 100 metre more than climbing Mount Washington from sea level to the peak.
The race is now in its fourth year. There are 7,000 riders with the fastest rider expected to finish in roughly three hours 15 minutes and the slowest in just over nine hours.
Mulder and Bruining both come from the Netherlands where cycling is a way of life, and have done this Granfondo several times. Mulder even fractured her elbow one month ago, but is still determined to ride.
As for Applin and Williams, they just started cycling in January.
“I started on an indoor trainer and then in April I started cycling on the road,” says Williams.
So what makes them want to take on the 122 km ride? They are looking for a challenge, it’s great for fitness and team work, and Applin wants to increase awareness of the RBC Blue Water Project. RBC has committed to donate $50 million over five years to protect watersheds worldwide.
The riders expect to take from 5-7 hours and at the end will be looking forward to a hot shower, a leg massage, hugs from their families and a cold beer, but not necessarily in that order.
For more information on the RBC Whistler Granfondo go to www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com