The first-ever GranFondo cycling event in Langley's history will see more than 1,000 riders pedal from the Fort this Sunday.

"We're looking at about 1,300 folks in Fort Langley on bikes," said George Lacny, one of the organizers of the Prospera Valley GranFondo.

A granfondo is a big mass bike ride, primarily for amateurs. While riders can time themselves against the clock, it's not a race.

This ride will take place primarily within Langley, starting and finishing at the Fort Langley National Historic Site, and Abbotsford. Riders will loop from the Fraser River down to Zero Avenue, head far out into the flats of the Fraser Valley, then return by heading up and over Sumas Mountain. The ride will be just over 160 kilometres, or 100 miles.

A shorter 80km (50mile) ride, dubbed the MedioFondo, will leave at the same time, and will stay mostly within Langley and Abbotsford's Bradner neighbourhood.

With registration closed earlier this week, Lacny said the main thing for participants to keep in mind is that with that many people heading into Fort Langley, the roads will be jammed.

"It will get busy," said Lacny. "The trick is, get there early."

Organizers recommend riders, especially those coming from the west, take 88th Avenue into Fort Langley.

Parking is being made available on the Kwantlen First Nation Reserve on MacMillan Island, and traffic will be controlled so that drivers can head in, but not out if they are parking there. The outgoing access will be controlled to allow cyclists to head to the starting point in the Fort.

There will be speeches by Langley City and Township mayors, and Tiffany Desrosiers will sing the national anthem before riders set out. Councillor Dave Loewen of Abbotsford is also expected - astride a bike and taking part.

The Sylvan Family Fondo will take place the same Sunday.

"I like the physical activity that's involved in biking and our FamilyFondo has a great educational component, too - Fort Langley Historic Site, which is free that day for all our participants," said Kathleen Casprowitz, CEO of Sylvan Learning.

The ride, for children aged six to 12 and their parents, starts at 8: 30 a.m. sharp.

Part of the ride proceeds will support Special Olympics.

Registration closed last week for all the events, but there is already another GranFondo ride planned for next year, with July 28 the tentative date.

mclaxton@langleyadvance.com