The inaugural Kootenay Gran Fondo — a bike tour of the Cranbrook-Kimberley-Wasa-Fort Steele area — featured more than 270 participants from far and wide. While the weekend initially threatened inclement weather, when Sunday morning rolled around, conditions were almost perfect for the event — cool with the rain holding off. Riders could choose to take part in the Piccolo Fondo (52 kilometres), the Medio Fondo (102 kilometres) or the Gran Fondo (152 kilometres). See the pages of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman later this week for a follow up story.