The Terrace Off Road Cycling Association (TORCA) is hosting their annual end-of-year bike race this weekend.
The Skeena River Challenge annual bicycle race, the group’s last big race of the season, will be held Sunday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This race is the 26th year, founded by local enthusiasts and bike shop owners Mike Christensen and Peter Krause.
The Gran Fondo style road race starts from the Jim Ciccone Centre in Prince Rupert and spins 140 kilometres up Hwy 16 to finish at the DHL parking lot at the corner of Kenney Street and Keith Avenue in Terrace.
“This year the route has been changed slightly but the distance remains the same,” said organizer Michael Bruce. “In the past, the race had a 20-kilometre leg out to Ridley Island and then on to Terrace.”
But this year, the road will be closed at Ridley Island because of security and construction, he said.
Instead, the riders will ride through Port Edward and turn at the North Pacific Cannery.
A race of 100 miles, like this one, is commonly called a ‘century ride.’
Recreation riders, who will travel 140 kilometres, leave at 9 a.m. and racers, travelling a distance of 160 kilometres, at 10 a.m.
Motorists are asked to watch for eastbound cyclists on the highway during the race, and to exercise extreme caution when passing vehicles or cyclists during the race.
There will also be a barbecue with awards and a draw at the end of the race.