Thank you for another great event! Stay tuned for next year.
The Okanagan Granfondo returned to Penticton on Sunday, July 9, 2023. This mass cycling event drew more than 2,600 cyclists competing in varying distances for all skill levels. It also includes a free Piccolofondo race for kids aged 2-10.
Get Involved
Why not get involved and join in the action, whether it's to compete, volunteer, cheer on the athletes or simply to kick back in the beverage garden and enjoy the festival atmosphere?
Here are some ways you can take in the energy of this event:
- Explore the Okanagan Granfondo Cycling Expo.
- Sign up as a volunteer.
- Cheer on the Kids’ Piccolofondo race (free to enter but register in advance).
- Bring your kids to the free kids' event at Gyro Park on Saturday, organized by Penticton & Area Cycling Association (PACA). More details in the links below.
- Join PACA and Freedom Bike Shop for a bike shuttle and tour of the Three Blind Mice mountain biking trails (get your $15 tickets at the Cycling Expo or online).
- Watch the high-energy ride start on Main Street.
- Kick back in the food and beverage area.
- Watch the award ceremony at Rotary Park.
Join as a volunteer and play a key role in creating an unforgettable experience for athletes, spectators and tourists from all over the world. Volunteer roles include registration, set-up, food station, clean-up, medical, course support and more.
SOLD OUT. The Kids' Piccolofondo is a free event for kids between the ages of 2 and 10. Kids will participate in a 400 metre to 5 km circuit, while parents cheer them on as they loop past Okanagan Lake. While it's free to participate, registration is required.
Find out more and sign up here
Afterwards, kids are invited to take part in the free kids' event at Gyro Park, which starts at 12 noon. This is organized by PACA, with more details available at the PACA booth at the Okanagan Granfondo Cycling Expo.
The Penticton & Area Cycling Association (PACA) is organizing this free kids' event on Saturday, July 8 at 12 noon.
Building on the Piccolofondo, join PACA for round two of fun with something completely different. The AL PACA obstacle course will challenge your bike handling skills rather than your speed, because standing on a podium requires both! For ages 10 and under.
Sign up in advance at the PACA booth at the Okanagan Granfondo Cycling Expo, which opens Friday, July 7. You may also sign up on the day, in advance of the event, at the Expo.
All community members are invited to this tour, organized by Penticton & Area Cycling Association (PACA) and Freedom Bike Shop.
They will be running two mountain bike shuttles on Saturday, July 8th at 10:30 and 12:30 in the Three Blind Mice trail network. Cost is $15/shuttle and includes a guide.
Rides will be for intermediate level riders and open to anyone who signs up. Shuttles will pick up registered riders at Rotary Park and the groups will pedal back to Rotary Park along the KVR. Please arrive 20 minutes in advance to sign up at the PACA (Penticton and Area Cycling Association) booth at the Okanagan Granfondo Cycling Expo or online.
Penticton is home to premier cycling routes and terrain, and few events showcase its beauty as well as the Okanagan Granfondo. This mass cycling event ranks as one of North America’s premier cycling events that attracts recreational and elite cyclists for an epic weekend of road cycling in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan wine country. Cyclists can choose from one of four distances with each distance starting and finishing in Penticton.
Traffic Information
Penticton to Naramata Bench loop
Anyone planning to travel between Penticton and Naramata on Sunday morning is advised to wait until after 9 a.m., after the road closures. These closures will affect anyone planning to travel to the Campbell Mountain Landfill, Three Blind Mice trails and Munson Mountain, as well as travellers from Naramata heading into Penticton.
The road closures begin at 5 a.m. along Lakeshore Drive and Main Street, with riders starting at 7 a.m. travelling up Vancouver Avenue and Lower Bench Road toward Naramata, to Corbishley Avenue. They will loop back along Upper Bench Road North, returning via Johnson Road and Haven Hill Road, down Eckhardt Avenue. This circuit is expected to be cleared by 8:30 a.m.
Main Street / Lee Avenue / Eastside Road / Skaha Lake Road
Main Street will be closed from 5 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with the busiest time being in the morning before 9 a.m. After completing the loop above, participants will ride down Main Street to Lee Avenue, toward Eastside Road and onwards to Okanagan Falls. From Okanagan Falls, riders will split into their chosen routes taking them to Osoyoos, Oliver or Kaleden, before winding back via Hwy 97 to Skaha Lake Road and Main Street. Riders will return to the finish line at Gyro Park from as early as 8:30 a.m.
Drivers are recommended to use Channel Parkway or Government Street wherever possible. The busiest times will be in the morning, with fewer delays and disruptions as the ride progresses. Several signalized intersections will be put in flash mode, with traffic being controlled by traffic control personnel or the RCMP.
Download the Okanagan Granfondo notice to Residents (with map of the route).
Where to cross Main Street
If you are driving and need to cross Main Street that day, here are the locations where you can cross:
- Lakeshore Drive (after 8 a.m.)
- Eckhardt Avenue (after 8:30 a.m.)
- Duncan Avenue
- Industrial Avenue
- Warren Avenue
- Green Avenue
Visit the Okanagan Granfondo traffic webpage
Okanagan Granfondo handout and map
Download the Okanagan Granfondo notice to Residents (with map of the route).
Download the Okanagan Granfondo notice to Residents (with map of the route).
Here are some tips to help:
- Drivers are recommended to use Channel Parkway or Government Street wherever possible.
- Do your shopping and errands in advance.
- Expect delays. Allow extra time if you need to go across town.
- Flying out that day? Allow extra time to get to the airport.
- Catching the bus? Contact BC Transit for scheduling updates.
- Plan ahead. Know what roads are closed and where you can cross Main Street.
- Participate in the fun. You can volunteer or simply head down to cheer on the participants!
- Be patient and kind with athletes, volunteers, fans, flaggers and event organizers. They are all doing their best to make it a great event.
Visit the Okanagan Granfondo traffic webpage
Have Questions?
The City is also setting up a temporary Call Centre on July 9 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to take questions related to road closures (call 250-490-2345). For specific information about the race, visit the Okanagan Granfondo website at okanagangranfondo.com.
On Saturday, July 8th, Lakeshore Drive between Winnipeg St and Riverside Drive will be closed for the
Kids’ Piccolofondo event, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.Main St from Lakeshore to Westminster will remain closed until 5p.m. Sunday, July 9.
Hotel managers and owners are advised to notify their guests about the road closures on Sunday morning and direct them to this page for maps and further details. If guests have questions about getting around, they can also call the City’s Call Centre (open Sunday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.) at 250-490-2345.
The Granfondo race affects routes #2, 3, 5 & 16. View BC Transit's alert for details.
The City's Call Centre will be staffed on Sunday, July 9, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. to take questions related to road closures. Call 250-490-2345.
For specific information about the race, visit the Okanagan Granfondo website at okanagangranfondo.com.
Traffic Questions?
Have questions related to road closures on race day? The City's Call Centre will be open on Sunday, July 9 from 7a.m. until 3p.m. to take your questions. Call 250-490-2345. For specific information about the race, visit the Okanagan Granfondo website at okanagangranfondo.com.
Latest Updates
July 6, 2023: Prepare for extensive road closures Sunday during Okanagan Granfondo
June 29, 2023: Gear up for Okanagan Granfondo race day and free entertainment
June 29, 2023: Public notice to residents, distributed by Okanagan Granfondo Penticton
Have Questions?
The City is also setting up a temporary Call Centre on July 9 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to take questions related to road closures (call 250-490-2345).
For specific information about the race, visit the Okanagan Granfondo website at okanagangranfondo.com.
For other questions related to events in general, email events@penticton.ca.