Reaching one of two major climbs in the Okanangan Granfondo, Summerland's Lee Agur looked to go out in front alongside other competitors, only to strike out alone.

"I went out front and was seeing who would join, and then I was kind of waiting, waiting and then no one joined," said Agur. "So I did the dumb thing and went into the headwind, 40km out was probably not the wise decision, but I was lucky today."

That decision, to go forward on his own, put Agur well beyond the rest of the pack as he clocked in a final time of 3:48:48, over a minute faster than the second place finisher Bradley Bickley from West Kelowna. 

Agur said that he has signed up for the Granfondo in each of its 12 years of competition, although in some previous years he has gone for the shorter distance Mediofondo depending on his fitness. 

He chocked a part of his 2024 victory up to being in fit shape, and a part to the knowledge of the area as a local. 

"A lot of the guys in the group though have done it several times as well, but when you absolutely know, like every twist and turn it is definitely an advantage," said Agur. 

The 150 kilometre Granfondo course was lined with supporters, something Agur pointed out as he stood in the shade near the finish line surrounded by his family. 

"I don't know how many people are here but from the start and looking down Main Street, it looked like a couple of thousand," said Agur. "There's so many locals on the side streets and everywhere just cheering us on."

The event isn't Agur's first competition of the year. Just a week prior he finished fourth in the Peach Classic Triathlon in Penticton, and a recent 1,000 km bike-packing event. 

Agur will be part of a team headed into the last Penticton Ironman in August. 

"Any local event, anything to do with a bike, I like to sign up," said Agur. "Luckily we live in the Okanagan, there's tons of events.

"I just want to thank Jodi [Cross] for putting this on and the Okanagan Grandfondo team, this is an amazing event and super well attended."