In This Newsletter:

1) Volunteer Guides

2) Squadra Stats

3) Whistler Bus

4) Sound of the Fondo

5) Referral Leaderboard + Prizes

6) Community Highlights

Hey Squadra,

Now that we're less than two weeks away from everyone's favourite Fondo, we hope everyone is getting as excited as we are.

The Squadra is already off to the races, with 40 wonderful volunteers joining us to assemble rider packages. We can't wait to see the rest of the Squadra joining us all the way from Sea to Sky.

We still have some rider packages left to assemble, and have another shift open this Friday, Sep 4 at our office. Click below to sign up and get a glimpse behind the scenes!

NEW Volunteer Guides

While many of our Squadra members are returning to familiar roles, we are also excited to welcome new faces and see volunteers exploring new roles. To keep everyone up-to-date, volunteers will be receiving brand-new digital guidebooks that include a Fondo dictionary, event timelines, weather guides, and more.

Keep an eye on your inbox late this week see what awaits!

Squadra Stats for September 2026

• Total Spots Filled: 665

• Number of Volunteers: 549

• Capacity: 89.50% Full

We are pleased to announce that this year's Squadra has officially broken the all-time volunteer registration record, making this year the largest Squadra at the RBC GranFondo Whistler EVER.

This is an incredible milestone that we share with the community, as none of this would be possible without the continued presence, effort, and compassion of our volunteers. So pat yourselves on the back, and get ready to show up for some great shifts ahead!

Whistler Bus

If you need a ride up to Whistler, sign up for the volunteer bus! The bus departs from downtown Vancouver at Concord Pacific (88 Pacific Boulevard) in the early morning, and returns in the early evening, allowing for a full day of volunteering and some time to explore Whistler Village. Specific departure times will be shared with reserved guests.

If you would like to reserve a seat on the bus, please send an email to volunteer@rbcgranfondo.com to save a spot. Note that the bus has a limited capacity and seats are given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The bus is currently at 25/35 spots filled. Book your shift and email to request your spot today before bus reservations CLOSE on Sep 8

Sound of the Fondo

What’s your Fondo sound? Everyone has that song — the one that gets you moving, digging deeper and turning it up when the road gets tough.

This year, we’re inviting the Squadra to join the riders in building The Sound of the Fondo.

Share your ultimate pump-up song and help shape the soundtrack to GranFondo weekend.

Giveaways + Prizes

Read on for a recap of the awesome prizes available from our sponsors:

Helijet

Our official air transportation partner, Helijet, is offering a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two. One lucky volunteer and their chosen guest will fly roundtrip from Vancouver to Victoria, enjoying stunning views and a one-night stay at one of Helijet's accommodation partners.

This prize pack, valued at $2700, will be given away to the volunteer with the highest number of referrals.

Want to win this trip? Ask your friends, family, and colleagues to sign up now and put your name down in the referral question.

Here's a sneak peek at the leaderboard so far:

1. D.E. (10 Referrals)

2. M.R. (8 Referrals)

3. L.L. (7 Referrals)

DU/ER

The fantastic team at DU/ER, Vancouver's favoured performance denim brand, is giving away vouchers for a few lucky volunteers to receive a wardrobe upgrade capable of keeping up with their busy lives.

DU/ER pants are designed with activity in mind, perfect for the on-the-go volunteer. Add another shift or sign up today to get one step closer to stepping into a great pair of pants.

All volunteers who have signed up for more than one shift will be entered to win one of these vouchers.

Whistler Food & Beverage

Looking for a great meal or a sweet deal while in and around Whistler? We're giving away four $50 gift cards, redeemable at Hunter Gather, Mile One, or Cranked Espresso Bar. All Whistler volunteers will be randomly entered to win one of these cards, and will be notified of winning upon check-in at the Finish Line. Click below to get one shift closer to winning:

Community Highlights

Meet the Land Dinos

We want to re-highlight some very hard-working members of our Squadra as they seek support in their mission to raise money for cancer research. They have already raised an incredible $10,373!

Thank you to those who have donated, the sense of community amongst the Squadra will never cease to amaze!

"The Land Dinos Terry Fox Team started out as a spin-off from our dragon boat team, Eternal Dinosaur. We have gradually evolved and now are comprised of a group of friends who love to paddle, run, walk, hike, volunteer, and do many other activities together. Volunteering at the RBC GranFondo Whistler is one of our favourite annual group events!  

The Terry Fox Run will be held on September 20, 2026.  Every year our team of about 20-25 runners run 10km and fundraise to help keep Terry’s dream alive.  Last year our team fundraised $15,309, up from $6,848 the year before, and were one of the top 5% of fundraising teams in Canada.  With continued support and dedication to this event, we hope to help realize Terry’s dream of creating a world without cancer"

If you would like to to support the inspiring efforts of the Land Dinos, please click below to donate.

Squamish Helping Hands

The caring team behind Squamish Helping Hands will be joining us at multiple locations across our course to volunteer and collect donations to support their valuable cause.

SHH helps to combat food and housing insecurity, improve healthcare access, and provide a safety net to residents of Squamish.

Click below to get involved and lend a helping hand to a hard-working community.

Stay Tuned

That's all for this newsletter, Squadra. Please stay in touch as we get closer to the event and questions are always welcomed.

Note that our communications will become increasingly delayed the closer we get to the event, as we are receiving a high volume of inquiries. While you wait for us to get back to you, please visit our FAQ or revisit past editions of this newsletter to find answers to your questions.

Haven't signed up yet? Secure your spot today. Bonus points to people who sign up for the Whistler Bike Park - you'll earn our undying gratitude.

Cheers,

Lauren Poliquin & Kai Konkin

Your 2026 RBC GranFondo Whistler Volunteer Team

In this Newsletter:

1) Meet your Volunteer Coordinator

2) Squadra Stats: August 2026

3) Iron Spokes: 2026 Inductees

4) Whistler Volunteer Bus + Referral Prizes

5) Community Highlights

Hey Squadra!

As we ramp up towards the big ride, the team is working hard behind the scenes to produce our best year yet.

New for this year, all volunteers will be receiving an official RBC GranFondo Whistler Volunteer Guide. These digital documents will cover tips + tricks, transit and parking, what to bring, and all of the information that a well-equipped volunteer should know.

Keep an eye on your inboxes at the end of this month to make sure you receive your copy and stay in the loop.

Meet your Volunteer Coordinator

Please join us in welcoming Kai Konkin as our Volunteer Coordinator for this year's event.

Kai is a Nursing student at the University of British Columbia with a passion for sports, athletics, and community engagement.

As the Volunteer Coordinator for RBC GranFondo Whistler, Kai is excited to help create meaningful volunteer experiences and support the dedicated volunteers who make the event possible. Kai looks forward to connecting with the GranFondo community and contributing to another successful event.

Squadra Stats for August 2026

• Total Spots Filled: 572

• Number of Volunteers: 462

• Capacity: 73.62% Full

We are thrilled to see our Squadra coming to life with 87 more spots filled since our July Stats.

There are still 162 spots open across the course, particularly at Horseshoe Bay and Whistler. Remember that each referral with your name on it gets you one step closer to winning a Helijet prize pack.

Iron Spokes: 2026 Inductees

After introducing our brand-new volunteer recognition program last month, we are very excited to introduce our 163 inaugural inductees . These incredible volunteers have brought their strong work ethic and can-do attitude to the RBC GranFondo Whistler for at least 5 years, with some reaching as many as 12!

Keep an eye out for volunteers wearing these gold pins on event day and give them a shout-out for their hard work. To see the full list of inductees, visit our website.

Sign up this year and get one shift closer to earning your spot in our Hall of Fame.

Giveaways + Prizes

Read on for a recap of the amazing prizes available from our sponsors:

Helijet

Our official air transportation partner, Helijet, is offering a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two. One lucky volunteer and their chosen guest will fly roundtrip from Vancouver to Victoria, enjoying stunning views and a one-night stay at one of Helijet's accommodation partners.

This prize pack, valued at $2700, will be given away to the volunteer with the highest number of referrals.

Want to win this trip? Ask your friends, family, and colleagues to sign up now.

DU/ER

The fantastic team at DU/ER, Vancouver's favoured performance denim brand, is giving away vouchers for a few lucky volunteers to receive a wardrobe upgrade capable of keeping up with their busy lives.

DU/ER pants are designed with activity in mind, perfect for the on-the-go volunteer. Add another shift or sign up today to get one step closer to stepping into a great pair of pants.

Whistler Food & Beverage

Looking for a great meal or a sweet deal while in and around Whistler? We're giving away four $50 gift cards, redeemable at Hunter Gather, Mile One, or Cranked Espresso Bar. Click below to get one shift closer to winning:

Whistler Volunteer Bus

If you need a ride up to Whistler, sign up for the volunteer bus! The bus departs from downtown Vancouver at Concord Pacific (88 Pacific Boulevard) in the early morning, and returns in the early evening, allowing for a full day of volunteering and some time to explore Whistler Village. Specific departure times will be shared with reserved guests.

If you would like to reserve a seat on the bus, please send an email to volunteer@rbcgranfondo.com to save a spot. Note that the bus has a limited capacity and seats are given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Whistler Bus is currently at 10/35 spots filled. Book your Whistler shift soon to reserve your spot!

Community Highlights

Rest Stop

On July 18, The RBC GranFondo team held our very first edition of Rest Stop, a community-centered party at Red Truck Brewery that brought together riders, volunteers, and vendors to celebrate all things cycling!

We had an incredible turn-out of over 500 attendees, surpassing previous records and highlighting just how strong our community is.

We want to give a massive shout-out to the incredible volunteers who showed up in the early morning to set-up amidst pouring rain and had smiles on their face the whole day.

A huge thank you for showing exactly what it means to be a member of the Squadra.

Meet the Land Dinos

We also want to highlight some very hard-working members of our Squadra as they seek support in their mission to raise money for cancer research.

"The Land Dinos Terry Fox Team started out as a spin-off from our dragon boat team, Eternal Dinosaur. We have gradually evolved and now are comprised of a group of friends who love to paddle, run, walk, hike, volunteer, and do many other activities together. Volunteering at the RBC GranFondo Whistler is one of our favourite annual group events!  

The Terry Fox Run will be held on September 20, 2026.  Every year our team of about 20-25 runners run 10km and fundraise to help keep Terry’s dream alive.  Last year our team fundraised $15,309, up from $6,848 the year before, and were one of the top 5% of fundraising teams in Canada.  With continued support and dedication to this event, we hope to help realize Terry’s dream of creating a world without cancer"

If you would like to to support the inspiring efforts of the Land Dinos, please click below to donate.

Keep in Touch

That's all for this newsletter, Squadra. Please stay in touch as we get closer to the event and questions are always welcomed.

Note that our communications may become more delayed the closer we get to the event, as we are receiving high volumes of inquiries. While you wait for us to get back to you, please visit our FAQ or revisit past editions of this newsletter to find answers to your questions.

Cheers,

Lauren Poliquin & Kai Konkin

Your 2026 RBC GranFondo Whistler Volunteer Team

In this Newsletter:

1) Year of the Volunteer: Iron Spokes Club

2) July Squadra Stats

3) Volunteer Stories: The Best of Britannia Beach

4) Giveaways + Prizes

5) Whistler Volunteer Shuttle

6) Community Highlights

Happy Summer, Squadra!

The sun is out and spirits are high as we head into the peak of summer activities, with everyone getting outside to run, hike, swim, and of course, cycle. To all those celebrating, a very happy Canada Day!

As we all get outside and get involved, we'd like to highlight that 2026 is officially recognized by the United Nations as International Volunteer Year. This is a call to acknowledge and celebrate all that volunteers across the world achieve, and while it's hard to put into words just how much we appreciate our volunteers, we thought we'd show you instead by introducing our new recognition program:

Iron Spokes Club

The hard-working, unstoppable volunteers who have completed a volunteer shift at the RBC GranFondo Whistler for at least five years will now inducted into the Iron Spokes Club.

Members of this club will receive:

• Their name on our 'Hall of Fame', featured permanently on the RBC GranFondo website

• A specialized pin on the year of their induction to display their status

• A personalized letter of thanks from the RBC GranFondo Chief Enthusiast, Neil McKinnon

• Priority choice of volunteer shifts

We look forward to sharing more about this program as it evolves, and can't wait to recognize those who keep coming back and demonstrating what it means to be a volunteer. Stay tuned to meet the inaugural inductees in the next newsletter.

Squadra Stat for July 2026

• Total Spots Filled: 485

• Number of Volunteers: 381

• Capacity: 62.2%

Our numbers are steadily climbing as we gear up towards the big ride, and we're thrilled to see our Squadra come to life. Compared to our June Squadra Stats, we have filled 64 more spots.

We still need 238 spots filled, especially up in Whistler and at our rest stops. Refer your friends and family to come out and volunteer with us, and earn additional entries into our volunteer raffle.

We've added some new roles to our sign-up page recently, including Eco-Enthusiast for the environment-minded volunteer, and Bartender for the volunteers who want to keep the energy flowing at the finish line.

Volunteer Stories: The Best of Britannia Beach

Meet Rob and Gord, the Co-Captains behind the Britannia Beach rest stop. Rob and Gord have been part of the GranFondo since the beginning, creating themed experiences each year. Rob shared some of his Fondo highlights with us:

"It is amazing to believe, that it has been 16 years of volunteering at the GranFondo! Gord (SuperGordo) and I met while volunteering at the 2010 Olympics on Cypress. The Olympic volunteer experience excited us, and we ended up volunteering at Rest Stop #2, Britannia, that same year.

At the GranFondo we work to recreate that volunteer experience. We have always tried to make our Rest Stop unique for the riders. Be it a western themed “Watering Hole”, complete with my wife painting a huge banner, to last years’ “Welcome to Canada” theme. Where we had posters painted by my grandchildren on the porta potties and of course Canadian flags everywhere. Best of all is the appreciation of the riders, for everything we do as volunteers!"

Giveaways + Prizes

If the fun had isn't quite enough to entice you, we also have amazing prizes to give away for our volunteers.

Helijet

Our official air transportation partner, Helijet, is offering a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two. One lucky volunteer and their chosen guest will fly roundtrip from Vancouver to Victoria, enjoying stunning views and a one-night stay at one of Helijet's accommodation partners.

This prize pack, valued at $2700, will be given away to the volunteer with the highest number of referrals.

Want to win this trip? Ask your friends, family, and colleagues to sign up now.

DU/ER

The fantastic team at DU/ER, Vancouver's favoured performance denim brand, is giving away vouchers for a few lucky volunteers to receive a wardrobe upgrade capable of keeping up with their busy lives.

DU/ER pants are designed with activity in mind, perfect for the on-the-go volunteer. Add another shift or sign up today to get one step closer to stepping into a great pair of pants.

Whistler Food & Beverage

Looking for a great meal or a sweet deal while in and around Whistler? We're giving away four $50 gift cards, redeemable at Hunter Gather, Mile One, or Cranked Espresso Bar. Click below to get one shift closer to winning:

Whistler Volunteer Bus

If you need a ride up to Whistler, sign up for the volunteer bus! The bus departs from downtown Vancouver at Concord Pacific (88 Pacific Boulevard) in the early morning, and returns in the early evening, allowing for a full day of volunteering and some time to explore Whistler Village. Specific departure times will be shared with reserved guests in early August.

If you would like to reserve a seat on the bus, please send an email to volunteer@rbcgranfondo.com to save a spot. Note that the bus has a limited capacity and seats are given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Whistler Bus is currently at 8/35 seats filled, and going fast. Act soon to reserve your spot!

Community Highlights

Gravel Buddies

Part of our volunteer network is made up of some awesome community groups. This month, we'd like to highlight Gravel Buddies!

Gravel Buddies community was founded in April 2022 with the purpose of creating an environment where women, gender-diverse, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people of any ability can share their love for gravel riding and bikepacking.

Gravel Buddies’ mission is to build confidence, empower, create connections, and explore beautiful places in a supportive setting. 

Check out Gravel Buddies on their website gravelbuddies.ca or on Ride w GPS.

We look forward to seeing some of the Gravel Buddies volunteering with us in the Fall! To get involved in their awesome outings, visit the website above.

If you are part of a community organization that would like a shout-out in our newsletter, please send an email to volunteer@rbcgranfondo.com to talk about how your group can get involved.

Keep in Touch

That's all for this newsletter, Squadra. As usual, more updates will be shared each month leading up to the event, and questions are always welcomed.

Cheers,

Lauren

A warm welcome back to our RBC GranFondo Whistler community newsletter! Squadra News is a space for our crew of wonderful volunteers to receive updates and stay connected throughout the season.

To returning volunteers - thanks for coming back! Your generosity and committment inspires us each year, and we're thrilled to see you again.

To new volunteers - welcome to the Squadra! We are always looking to welcome new friendly faces, and are excited to see you thrive in our community.

As we start to ramp up towards the big ride on September 12, 2026, keep reading for monthly updates, giveaways, tips, and more.

In this newsletter:

1. Meet your Volunteer Manager

2. Sqaudra Stats: Community Updates

3. Helijet Prize Pack Giveaway - Refer Friends for More Entries

4. Registration Discount Code

5. Need to Get to Whistler? Sign-up for the Volunteer Bus

Meet Your Volunteer Manager

If we haven't been introduced yet, my name is Lauren Poliquin, and I have the pleasure of serving as your Volunteer Manager for this year's ride. I recently graduated from the University of British Columbia, where I worked in program administration and the non-profit sector. I am also an avid volunteer, and I grew up helping at rest stops and package pick-up stations with my family.

I am excited to be part of the team, and aim to make this year's volunteer experience the best one yet!

If you have volunteered with us in years past, please visit the form below to share your favourite moments as a volunteer.

Many new volunteers are inspired by the stories of those who return year after year, and we love to hear from the wonderful folks who show up for our riders with such spirit! 

Squadra 2026 Progress

Squadra Stats | June 2026

• Total Spots Filled: 419

• Number of Volunteers: 322

• Capacity: 54.5%

As of today, we are just over halfway toward our volunteer registration goal, including over 200 returning volunteers. These numbers are fantastic, and we look forward to seeing them climb throughout the summer.

We have over 275 spots still available, and a wide variety of abilities are needed to make our event run! There is room for everyone on our team, and we encourage you to reach out if you have any questions regarding accessibility.

Families are also encouraged to come be a part of the event. We welcome young volunteers as long as they are accompanied by an adult (19+). Volunteering is a great way to spend time outdoors as a family and get kids involved in their community!

Helijet Prize Pack Giveaway

As our official air transportation partner, Helijet is giving away a free roundtrip for two to travel from Vancouver to Victoria. This trip boasts stunning views, an unforgettable experience, and a one-night stay in the beautiful city of Victoria. All volunteers automatically get one free entry into the raffle for this prize pack.

Additional Entries: Referral Bonus

Want a greater chance of winning? Every time you refer a friend to volunteer, you gain 1 additional entry into the raffle. There is no upper limit on referrals, so spread the word far and wide and refer as many as you can. Volunteers will receive:

• A 2026 Squadra T-Shirt

• A swag bag with goodies from our sponsors

• Meals and snacks throughout their shifts

• Entries to exclusive raffles

• And more!

  Volunteer Now

Make sure to remind your friends to indicate your first and last name in the referral box when signing up. More referral prizes will be announced throughout the summer, so start recruiting and stay tuned for more cool giveaways.

Registration Discount

Many of our volunteers are there to not only support the cycling community, but to cheer on their loved ones. As a thank you to those volunteers and the community that connected them to us, we are offering an exclusive community discount code.

Have your friends and family use the code 20GFWSQ to register for the 2026 RBC GranFondo Whistler and receive $20 off their registration.

This code is valid until June 14, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Need a Ride to Whistler?

If you are in need of a ride up to Whistler, sign up for the volunteer bus! The bus departs from downtown Vancouver at Concord Pacific (88 Pacific Boulevard) in the early morning, and leaves Whistler in the early evening. Specific departure times will be shared in the coming months.

If you would like to reserve a seat on the bus, please email volunteer@rbcgranfondo.com to save a spot. Note that the bus has a limited capacity and seats are given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Stay Tuned for More

That's all for this newsletter, Squadra. More updates will be shared each month leading up to the event, and we look forward to seeing how our community grows. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out with questions!

Cheers,

Lauren 😎🚲