overview
The Edmonton Road and Track Club, working with Nick Croken, and Nina Karpoff, is proud to present to you the 7th running of the Croken Classic. This year, it is being held on October 7, 2023. New for 2023 are marked corners!
We are happy to announce that the Croken Classic is brought to you by the following sponsors:
Good Goods Co, 4iiii, Blindman Brewing, Flexion Bike Fit, Trek Bicycles, Seven Summits Snacks, and Hardcore Bikes (10008 82 Ave NW)
SAFETY AND SUPPORT
This event is being run as an adventure ride - there will be no aid stations for you to refuel at. For the 103km distance, there is a stop in Winfield where you may purchase snacks and hydration from the corner store. We will have 1 medic stationed in Yeoford. This medic will have available water for emergencies only.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
There will be a sweep vehicle, however it may be some time before it reaches the scene of an incident. You have no obligation to perform first aid (but may if you are qualified and comfortable). As such, we ask that you, the rider, are part of our emergency response plan, and carry a cellphone with you. If you come across a rider who is unable to continue due to injury,:
Your first call should be Salina (780-271-6009), our emergency response coordinator. She will help you figure out where you are, and if paramedical response is needed.
If she does not pick up, try one of the following numbers in this order:
Jayda (Paramedic) - 587-579-0265
Nick Croken (Organizer) - 780-982-2851
Nina - (Organizer) 780-906-2129
Albert Nguyen (Organizer) - 780-224-1180
Mark (Sweep) - 780-993-7916
If you do not have cell service at your exact location, stay with the injured, and wait for the next rider to come by. Give that rider instructions to ride until they have signal and they will start the communication chain previously mentioned. If you are near the back of the race, there will be a sweep.
If you experience a major mechanical and cannot continue, call Salina, or one of the organizers. If you have no signal, either walk to where there is, or have another rider continue riding and call for you. No guarantees on how long the retrieval will take, as we will be prioritizing medical emergencies. We don’t recommend hitchhiking.
RIDER CONDUCT
While not an officiated event, we expect riders to abide by the policy “don’t be a dick”.
Albert Nguyen
Nick Croken
Nina Karpoff
Organizers
Registration
https://zone4.ca/register/ZxEpvk/
Wondering if your friends signed up without you? Look here: https://zone4.ca/register/ZxEpvk/report/Z1RbrV/
TRANSFERS
Transfers are allowed, however you must do the legwork and obtain the contact info of whoever you are transferring to, and figure out payment. Once you have done that, email me using the “Contact” link at the top right with their information. You will be removed from the registration list immediately once I receive the email.
location and route
LOCATION
Sundance Beach, Alberta Directions to Sundance Beach Community Hall
PARKING
The Sundance Beach Community Hall is the staging site for this gravel race. Parking is limited, so it is recommended you carpool. There is some street parking available too, but don’t be surprised if you are parking a bit far. Check out the map below to see where you can park.
ROUTE AND DISTANCES
2 options available, the Classic - 103km and the Cordial - 65km. GPX and FIT files below. New for 2023, we will be marking the corners, however it is still it is highly suggested that you make yourself a cue sheet or download the files and load them on your navigation / tracking device. Fortunately for you, if you are truly lost, there is decent cell coverage over most of the course, and you can call for a ride. No guarantees on when it will come - we will be prioritizing medical emergencies and mechanicals. We don’t recommend hitchhiking.
The start/finish line will be to the west of the hall, with a neutral roll out of the community.
In case you want to review your route, here are the direct links:
information
Schedule of Events
9:00 am - Registration / Sign-on Opens / Chip Pickup
9:30 am - Draw Prizing and Sponsor Shoutouts - If you aren’t here, you forfeit your prizing!
10:20 am - Sign-on Closes
10:30 am - Classic (103km) Distance Start
10:40 am - Cordial (65km) Distance Start
1:00 pm - First riders expected at finish - BBQ Starts, Beer Gardens Open
4:00 pm - 90% of riders expected to be finished.
6:30 pm - Course closed - all remaining riders to be retrieved via sag wagon. Not finished? Want to? Call us and tell us you aren’t going to take the sag.
Chip Timing
This race will be chip timed, giving more complete timing information. Please pick up your chip at sign-on and attach it to your handlebars. Return the chips to the timing tent or at the community hall. Failure to return your timing chip will result in a $50 fine.
FIRST AID & EMERGENCY SERVICES
A paramedic will be on course to assist in injuries.
The nearest hospital is the Wetaskiwin Hospital & Care Centre 6910 47 St, Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 3N3
END OF RIDE
After the ride there will be a Hamburger BBQ with all the usual fixin’s, with vegetarian options. Hang out, if it’s crappy out, we have full usage of the inside of the hall. You may clean up and dry off inside. We ask that you not wear your cycling shoes inside to save us from damaging the floor or having too much cleaning afterwards.
BEER GARDENS
Sponsored by Blindman Brewing, we will have beer gardens - $5 for a beer. Please drink responsibly.
PRIZING
There will be no podium prizing, or podium ceremony. Your prize is your chip time, the knowledge that you participated in one of Alberta’s toughest events, and the memories you made.
SPONSORS
A big thank you goes out to our sponsors
Good Goods Co for various draw prizes from small Canadian Makers.
Flexion Bike Fit for donating a bike fit as a draw prize
Hardcore Bikes for providing us with draw prizes as well as being the sweep vehicle with tech support.
Trek Bicycles for draw prizing.
Blindman Brewing for providing the beer for our volunteers and beer garden.
4iiii for donating two power meters for draw prizes.
Seven Summits Snacks for providing preride chocolate bars for every rider.