Robert Savin is not your typical investment banking guy. He spends his free time deep in the woods, exploring on his bike. “It’s a totally different scene, that’s why I love it. You’re out there enjoying it with your buddies and you just turn off the day-to-day kind of stuff, forget about it. Let your mind go.”

When Savin became a shareholder at TransRockies Events, he and his family started sharing lots of outdoor experiences with TR President, Aaron McConnell and his family. Their kids are the same age and both families share a love of the outdoors, riding, and camping. During the lockdown, McConnell got together with Savin to talk about a strategic vision involving gravel. And yes, they rode lots of bikes.

“You can’t help but bond over six hours of bushwhacking.”

Unlock New Zones

GibsonPictures.GR.3.8386.jpg — Savin with Aaron McConnell

When the idea for the Gravel Royale started to take shape, McConnell and Savin took their families on a series of route scouting missions through interior B.C. The goal was to link sections mostly from McConnell’s years of hosting mountain bike races like Singletrack 6. For Savin, it was more than unlocking zones, it was good living. “The countless hours we spent exploring various routes was fantastic.” Of course, things didn’t always go to plan. They had to hike their bikes, cross unplanned streams and the roads didn’t always ‘go’. “On the map it looks like maybe 4 or 5 hours, then we’d be out there 8 - 9 hours, it was pretty hilarious.” Savin pointed to the comradery he felt exploring the backcountry with a friend. “The rhythm of being out there for hours, it’s almost meditative in a way.”

Getting from A to B

The mountain town of Panorama seemed like the perfect place to start the race, could they get to Nipika? Yep. For two nights. Then on to Canal Flats, finishing up over in Fernie. “Linking four days of riding like that, point-to-point? It’s going to be phenomenal.” Said Savin.

The Other Side

When asked for a description of the riding experience, Savin had this to say: “The thing about putting on a gravel race, it's gotta be tough. Gravel riders have a shared mentality that it’s going to be challenging, you’ll be pushed hard. Sometimes you’ll have to push through barriers, but that’s what makes gravel riding fun.” It’s about self-discovery. “Sometimes, you get changed by the route. You don’t know if you’re going to get through it.” Savin said. “That’s gravel riding.”

A Family Affair

Exploring the mountain bike trails around Nipika Resort with the Savin and McConnell families. This trail network will be used for the Family MTB Challenge.

Next year, both Savin and McConnell plan to bring their families along for the four days of racing. It was Savin who first suggested a family ride component to the event. That idea became the Fair Deal Family Mountain Bike Challenge at Nipika. For Savin, having his kids inspired by the comradery that is the gravel community and the beautiful outdoor location seemed priceless. “That common bond that they’re going to see, being out there, seeing the pro’s, people suffering through. That determination, great role models, it’s a great environment for them to be around.” The plan is for the kids to volunteer at aid stations and get psyched about being even more a part of the event with the family ride on stage two. “They’ve done mountain bike races and cross races, but with gravel, it’s just a whole different vibe.”

Gravel’s got Savin excited. “What attracts people to gravel riding, I think they’re really gonna get it. This is going to be four days of phenooomenal riding, coupled with the evenings, the camp experience, families, pro’s, the podium, all that kind of stuff, it’s all about that experience.”

Fair Deal Family Fun MTB Challenge - Tuesday, August 24

A fun and friendly 10 km loop on Nipika’s incredible trail networks for kids and adults who are looking to get out and challenge themselves on the trails after supporting Mom or Dad’s Stage 2 earlier in the day! With 1 or 2 lap options, a marked course and halfway aid station this will be a fun opportunity to get out there on the bike for all ages! Registration will be available in the spring of 2021.