Tripleshot Cycling Club Cancels 10th Annual CrossFondo Event

UPDATE: The Tripleshot Cycling Club has cancelled its highly anticipated 10th annual CrossFondo, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the cycling community in Central Saanich. The cancellation, announced just weeks before the event scheduled for October 19, comes after new traffic safety regulations imposed by local authorities made the event financially unviable.

In a poignant statement, club president Erin Jalilian expressed the club’s deep sadness over the decision. “This event started nine years ago as a fundraiser for the club’s youth program and grew into one of the most popular cycling events in the province,” she said. The new rules, requiring professional traffic control personnel at every intersection—even where cyclists have the right of way—would quadruple traffic management costs compared to last year.

Course director Lister Farrar revealed that altering the course to avoid public roads was no longer an option, stating, “At this point, one month out, changing the course is not feasible.” He emphasized the extensive planning involved, noting that all landowners who provide access to their property must be consulted well in advance.

The club has always prioritized safety, having dedicated hundreds of hours to enhance protocols following the tragic death of participant Lindsay Burgess during last year’s event. Despite the club’s commitment to safety, Central Saanich insists that the underlying policies remain unchanged, only now being enforced more rigorously.

A spokesperson for the district clarified, “We are being more rigorous in ensuring compliance with existing standards due to repeated issues with inadequate traffic control.” They pointed out that the CrossFondo organizers submitted their application late, lacking a certified traffic management plan. This oversight prompted concerns about public safety during the event.

The district’s stance highlights the complexity of road races, with officials stating, “Road races are complex and require careful planning. We deeply value community events and are committed to working with organizers, but we must prioritize public safety.”

Earlier this summer, the Elk Lake Triathlon was also cancelled under similar circumstances, raising concerns about the future of community sporting events in the area.

As the cycling community processes this cancellation, the Tripleshot Cycling Club is left to ponder the implications for its youth program and the loss of a beloved local event. The focus now shifts to how local authorities and event organizers can work together to ensure that community events can continue safely in the future.

For now, cycling enthusiasts are left disappointed as the countdown to what would have been a significant event in Central Saanich comes to an abrupt halt. Stay tuned for further developments.