Kris Yip never passed up an opportunity to push Prince George cyclists to crank the pedals a little harder and go a bit faster.
As an elite cyclist who competed nationally and internationally, Yip was the pacesetter for the Prince George Cycling Club whenever it staged a competitive event, whether it was a weekly time trial through the quiet country roads of Pineview or the annual Prince George to Purden highway romp.
So it’s only fitting that on Sunday, June 24 the club is organizing a 70-kilometre race (mostly on Giscome Road) and a fun ride event that will be the inaugural Kris Yip Memorial Fondo.
Yip died suddenly at his Prince George home of a heart-related issue on Jan. 18. He was 47.
Yip took up cycling at age 15 and went to become a junior national road and criterium champion in 1993 and raced for Canada’s senior national team. He represented Canada in the UCI Cycling Esport Championship in 2022 and finished 11th overall. At the days leading up to his death he was competing virtually in the Zwift Racing League Team Time Trial.
“Kris was born and raised in Prince George and found a bike at a young age and ended up going to elite status, and this simply wouldn’t have been possible if there wasn’t some cycling events in Prince George when he was at a young and impressionable age,” said race organizer Ron Gallo.
“Being able to offer something with the hopes of being able to find the next Kris Yip, this is huge opportunity to make sure the legacy continues where it started.”
As a bike racer, Gallo was inspired trying to keep up to Yip in races or on training rides, which drove him to try to achieve more in the sport and Yip had that effect on everybody in the club.
“He had a spot on the international stage but was very down to earth and very grounded and he understood the importance of motivation and encouragement,” said Gallo. “It didn’t matter what your skill level was, he would ride with you and he would be that mentor to you.”
