In its 12th year, Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria hit another attendance high, selling out all 2,450 available spots for Saturday’s routes. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST Cyclists took off in front of the legislature on Saturday morning for a ride across 10 municipalities in the capital region.
Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria, in its 12th year, hit another attendance high, selling out all 2,450 available spots for routes that go up to 160 kilometres, said event director and Olympic cyclist Seamus McGrath.
McGrath said he doesn’t keep track of his times whenever he participates. “I just ride for the pure enjoyment.”
While some take the event seriously, Tour De Victoria is meant for people of all ages and abilities, he said.
“Our youngest rider is two. Our oldest rider is 90,” he said. “Everyone’s smiling. It’s such a positive event.”
All Tour de Victoria routes start and end near the B.C. legislature. Parts of Belleville Street were turned into a post-ride beer and burger garden, and a third of the legislature lawn was converted to bicycle parking. A DJ booth provided high-energy music.
“It’s Disneyland for cyclists,” said Kimberly Morrison, an event volunteer.There were plenty of cycling families.Kate Landreth reached the finish line on Saturday afternoon with her 21-month-old son Maxwell in the back, who was just waking up from a 30-kilometre nap.Landreth said she was inspired after watching Maxwell’s dad ride the 100-kilometre event last year. “I wasn’t quite ready to ride, but I got motivated seeing a lot of moms riding,” she said.Later […]
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