In 2011, Axel Merckx, a world class Belgian-born cyclist who'd championed a variety of top-level races throughout his career and competed in no less than eight Tours de France, founded a long-distance bicycle road race in his new home country of Canada.
It was dubbed the Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan, and it was centred right here in Penticton.
The race was a hit right from the start, attracting 2000 entrants in its debut year. This Sunday, the ninth iteration of the event gets rolling from Penticton's Gyro Park at 7 a.m.
And Merckx expects a record number of riders for 2019 - in excess of 2500.
"Nine years ago we decided to organize this because this type of event is popular in Europe," said Merckx. "So when we (Merckx married Canadian triathlete Jodi Cross in 1997) moved over here and realized more and more people are riding bikes here, we thought it could be a good idea to start something locally. So my wife and I started organizing the event."
Sunday's race features four distances from which to choose - the 55-kilometre Cortofondo, the 92-kilometre Mediafondo, the 126-kilomtre Velocefondo, and the big daddy, the 160-kilometre Granfondo.
But there's action Saturday too, in the form of the gruelling Passo Apex Hill Climb Race on Apex Mountain Road (9 a.m. start) and the Kids' Piccolofondo (1:30 p.m. start) on the streets surrounding Gyro Park.
There's also a "Welcome Dinner" Saturday evening at TIME Winery, and a whole bunch of Finish Line activities Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gyro.
It's this variety and this inclusivity that Merckx loves so much.
"One of the marquee points of the event is that the whole family can be involved all weekend. It's something we've built up, the family-oriented aspects of the weekend. And I think that's why people really appreciate coming back here, because there's something for everyone."
And Merckx is proud that his namesake race has become the juggernaut it is.
"I don't think there's many races in North America that do these kinds of numbers. We're very lucky we live in such a beautiful place," he says. "And it's very easy to organize an event like this because we all know the volunteers in Penticton are beyond that's generally available in Canada."
The race routes will remain the same for 2019 as they've been in years past. And that's purposeful. "We've kept the same course for all the nine years," said Merckx. "I think that's something people appreciate, so they can measure themselves to previous years. Why change something that so enjoyed by our riders?"
And, like each of the previous years, Merckx will once again compete. So too will Vancouver Canucks legend Trevor Linden, Anaheim Mighty Ducks coach Dallas Eakins, and a bunch of other big names that Merkx said would rather remain anonymous.
A trio of riders from Merckx own UCI Pro Continental team will also saddle up. Ian Garrison, Michael Rice, and Jonny Brown are all up and coming stars on the US road racing scene.
And yes, there will be road closures - a small price to pay for hosting an event of this magnitude.
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, delays can be expected on Apex Mountain Road for the Passo Apex Hill Climb Race. From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Kids' Piccolofondo unfolds in downtown Penticton, and the streets surrounding Gyro Park will be closed for the duration.
The main event Sunday begins at 7 a.m. at Gyro Park, and roads throughout the city will be impacted. Large sections of Main Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and rolling delays can be expected at other important intersections.
And although there are no formal highway closures, motorists traveling between Penticton and Summerland in the early morning, and Penticton to Road 22 between Oliver and Osoyoos in the morning and afternoon should exercise caution and expect delays.
And one final thing. Registration for the 2019 Prospera Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan is still open. So if you're interested in participating, and if you've thought carefully about the pain it will bring, head on down to the Trade and Convention Centre registration desk Saturday.
And get there early. Merckx says they're closing in on their maximum number.
More information, including added road closure details, can be found at the event's official website.
