Stage 1 - In the Braggs’ Backyard
Joanne and Drew Bragg, with their daughter, Nora, the TransRockies Office Manager.
by Marshall Opel
“It’s all about camp atmosphere” That’s according to Joanne Bragg who, along with her husband, Drew Bragg, has been working TransRockies events since their North American inception nearly two decades ago. “The events have evolved, and we still enjoy the challenge” says Joanne who is a linchpin at the races. The same is true for Drew, who started working on the very first TransRockies Challenge. A few years later, Joanne wanted in on the fun and they’ve both been there, spreading stoke ever since.
Athletes who’ve done a TransRockies event will know Drew by the sound of his voice. Drew’s main job is to broadcast the day’s action across the temporary tent village as the all important race announcer. He works to know the participants on a personal level which helps give the events a special feeling.
“Get ‘er done” is a slogan Joanne and the team live by. When it comes to event operations, the team at TransRockies has a collaborative, hard working ‘all for one - one for all’ kind of attitude. According to Joanne, “camaraderie among the crew is paramount.” Which makes for an exceptionally fun work atmosphere. But that doesn’t come without its challenges.
Last year, at Crowsnest Pass, Joanne remembers working with the tent crew to set up 140 tents in gale force winds. “The tents were blowing away as we were setting them up!” With the riders coming, the crew didn’t have time to stake everything down. They scrambled for a solution, eventually setting up inside a community center. Joanne reflected on what it means to set up and take down an entire event village daily, often in a backcountry setting. “You have to be able to think on your feet. There’s always a solution, you just have to find it.” Joanne then laughed remembering one year where 21 racer’s motorhomes needed their grey and black water dumped. No one wanted the job but Joanne pulled up her sleeves and got ‘er done. With elbow high gloves, she had all the RV’s pull up one after the other, as she took care of business. According to Joanne, “the mentality is everyone does everything” This has to be true because her “official” duties involve issues around registration and customer service, setting up tents and dumping RV’s septics somehow fit in there too.
It’s a lifestyle.
Since the beginning, Joanne and Drew have spent countless hours scouting backcountry routes and clearing trails for TransRockies racers. “It became a way of life each spring making sure the trails were ready for the participants. As a couple, we worked very hard together and it gave us a realization of just how fortunate we are to live and explore through the Canadian Rockies linking one start line to a finish line.” Drew and Joanne are always inspired by participants who race through challenging conditions including snow, sleat, rain, forest fires, being lost, and carrying on and completing events even when injured. Joanne explained that multi-day events, where everyone camps and eats together, means she and Drew have developed great friendships with participants over the years.
A Locals’ Take - Panorama & Invermere
Tegart Pass Sneak Peek - Like and subscribe on YouTube!
For Joanne and Drew, recreation is the game. They choose to live in Invermere because of the abundance of outdoor activities and its small town charm. As for riding, their combined 60+ years of cycling experience means they’ve covered some serious distance in the area. Tegart Pass, (which the Gravel Royale will cross in stage 1 next year) is a favorite place with endless trails for hiking and biking. The Bragg also love Lake Windermere where they swim, kayak, and paddle board. In the winter, Drew works as a level 4 ski instructor at Panorama Resort. He’s also put his announcing skills to work calling World Cup alpine racing events at Lake Louise. When Joanne isn’t helping out with TransRockies duties, she’s teaching yoga in Invermere. If you’re lucky enough to meet the Bragg at next year’s Gravel Royale, stop for a chat and see what you can learn.
Stage 1 Course Deep Dive
Stage 1 - Panorama to Nipika - 81km/50mi - 2,100m/6,900 feet climbing.
Stage 1 starts in front of Ski Tip lodge at the base of the Panorama Ski Area. The race will start with a neutralized roll out on the paved “Valley Trail” through Panorama Resort and the Greywolf Golf Course. After crossing a bridge over Toby Creek at the 3km mark, you will hit gravel for the first time on Toby Creek Road. After passing the resort entrance, you will be back on pavement and the pace restriction will come off to allow racing to begin. A rolling descent through the benches above Invermere will be a 19km cruise to the valley bottom and city streets. You will have to negotiate several intersections and traffic lights (obey all rules of the road and marshal instructions) to get through Invermere and Across Highway 93/95.
The major climb of the day starts with smooth, fast gravel on the Windermere Mine Road all the way to Checkpoint 1 at the 42km mark. From here, the surface becomes more rough and loose and the grade steepens. The next 4 km climbs roughly 500m on double-track - this section will be mostly rideable for all riders, but becoming more challenging as you climb. The final 1.5km with 200m of climbing to the pass will be on steep uphill singletrack which will be steep walking on dirt singletrack for the majority of this stretch. As the grade begins to mellow you are nearing the top at the 48km mark.
From the summit, you will start descending on singletrack for approx. 1.5km and 100m of descending. Most of this singletrack descent will be rideable for all riders, but there will be some sections that are too steep to ride on a gravel bike. When you emerge from the woods into a cut block clearing you will be rewarded with views across the Kootenay River Valley and the mountains waiting for you on stages 2 and 3. A short steep descent will drop you back to a logging road. This section descending down to the road is steep and rough and some riders may choose to walk. Once you reach the road the first section is rutted and should be ridden with caution. After one short climb, you will have 11km and 850m of gravel road descending to the Valley bottom and the Settlers Kootenay FSR at the 62km mark.
After 19km of fast rolling gravel road you will cross the Kootenay River and roll into the finish at Nipika Mountain Resort. This stage includes the toughest climb and the most technical riding of the entire 4 day event!
