Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria is back for a 13th year on Saturday with about 2,500 riders expected to take part in eight different rides.
Reaching 2,500 entries will be a sellout, just like in 2023.
The selection of rides of different lengths makes the event suitable for people of all fitness levels. Maps all of the routes are available on the Tour de Victoria website.
Expect road closings to accommodate the rides, which begin and end at the legislature. More information on road closures can be found here.
The 160- and 140-kilometre rides start at 7 a.m., followed by the 100-km ride at 8:15 a.m., the 60-km ride at 9:15 a.m., the 45-km, 30-km and 15-km rides at 11:30 a.m. and the kids’ ride at 11:30 a.m.
Victoria police list the following street closings within the city:
• Menzies Street between Belleville Street and Quebec Street 4 a.m.- 7 p.m
• Belleville Street between Government Street and Menzies Street 4 a.m.-8:00 p.m, and between Oswego Street and Pendray Street 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Belleville Street between Oswego Street and Pendray Street 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• Government Street between Superior Street and Humboldt Street 6 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
• Dallas Road between Crescent Road and the Hotel Grand Pacific 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Registrations will still be accepted today, either online at tourdevictoria.com or at Trek Bicycle Store at 338 Catherine St., Victoria.
Tour director Seamus McGrath, who grew up with Hesjedal and has cycled in both the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, said the number of people registering each year shows the continued popularity of cycling.
“That’s sort of what this event celebrates,” he said. “We cater to everyone and give them all the same experience.”
McGrath said that about 60 per cent of the riders this year are from outside of Victoria.
The capital region is a world-class cycling destination and the Tour de Victoria showcases the best of it, he said.
“There’s a great variation of terrain from right alongside the ocean, up through the rainforest of the Highlands to the vineyards of Central Saanich and the rolling farmland of Metchosin.”
Hesjedal will take part in his namesake event, which began as he was gaining international acclaim for his cycling exploits.
The Belmont Secondary graduate became the first cyclist to be named Canadian Press athlete of the year in 2012, the same year he won the prestigious 3,500-km Giro d’Italia.
He competed in three Olympic Games and was fifth in the Tour de France in 2010.
Hesjedal retired from competitive cycling in 2016.
>>> To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: [email protected]
