Photo: Big White Ski Resort

A 60-kilometre bike ride is impressive enough in its own right, but what if that ride also spans 1,800 metres of elevation?

That's what participants in the annual L'Alpe de Grand Blanc bike race this Sunday faced on their journey from the East Kelowna Community Hall up to Big White. 

Winner Tim Savre, 28, finished the climb in just one hour, 59 minutes and 15 seconds, which is 11 minutes behind the race record set last year by Jordan Cheyne. 

Emma Lujan, 27, took first place in the female category, finishing in two hours, four minutes and 25 seconds. 

A total of 141 cyclists participated, including 82-year-old co-founder of Big White Cliff Serwa and his Olympian granddaughter Kelsey Serwa. They biked together, and finished in three hours, 20 minutes and 52 seconds. 

There was also a separate 10-kilometre youth race from the Gem Lake parking lot to the Big White Village finish line. Liam Coulombe placed first in the boys category with a time of 20 minutes, 21 seconds, and Kendra Shaw was the first girl with a time of 31 minutes, 53 seconds. 

“The day could not have gone any better. With concerns of air quality early in the week, the weather really cooperated today,” said Trevor Hanna, former race participant and vice president of hospitality at Big White Ski Resort. “We had excellent support from the local cycling community, our sponsors and Big White locals that all coordinated to make a great event.”

Prizes and awards were presented in the village, followed by a post-ride BBQ and live music from Kelowna band Linus. 

The ride will be back for its fifth year in 2019.