Canadian Cyclist

 

September 18/13 14:48 pm - Last Chance to Register for Tour de Victoria


Posted by Editoress on 09/18/13
 

The third annual Ryder Hesjedal's Tour de Victoria powered by GoodLife Fitness, a mass participation cycling event to celebrate cycling, is set to take place on Sunday, September 22nd.

As of Wednesday, over 1,600 riders are registered to ride alongside event namesake, Ryder Hesjedal. On Sunday morning, riders will arrive at the start lines for the League 140 kilometre, Island Savings 100 kilometre and Ryder Hesjedal's 50 kilometre routes that start in Victoria's Inner Harbour, Langford's City Centre Park and Parklands Secondary in North Saanich. Ryders Cycling Society of Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting cycling across the country, produces the event.

"This is my last 'ride' of the season and I can't think of a better place to do it. Cycling here at home is always something I look forward to," says 2012 Giro d'Italia Champion, Ryder Hesjedal, who will cycle in the Tour on Sunday. "The variety of the route is great, and I'm happy that the event can help raise funds for cycling programs."

This year, Hesjedal will be joined by his friend and Ride Director, Seamus McGrath. "Ryder and I came up with this idea on a ride on these roads just three and a half years ago," said McGrath. "Since then it's grown into a world-class destination ride and I couldn't be happier to finally get a chance to take it in myself with the other riders."

"GoodLife Fitness is once again proud to be a presenting sponsor of the Tour de Victoria," said GoodLife Fitness Founder and CEO, David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans. "We're thrilled to be involved with an event that inspires Canadians to get active and healthy through cycling. Ryder is a great Canadian and should be commended for bringing such a prestigious event to my new hometown of Victoria."

"Over 250 volunteer positions have already been filled, but we're only half way to filling the over 500 positions for our Island Savings Volunteer Crew," said McGrath. "We need road marshals, so come out to support the riders and cheer them on as they go through your area and volunteer in your neighbourhood. We are especially in need of volunteers in the Saanich Peninsula, Sidney and Central Saanich area."

Volunteers can register online at www.tourdevictoria.com.

Road closures along the Tour de Victoria route will be in effect just prior to the ride start times. The start of the 140 kilometre ride is downtown in front of the Legislature at 7:00 a.m. and will roll through the start of the 100 kilometre ride in Langford at approximately 8:15 a.m. and the 50 kilometre ride starting in North Saanich at 10:30 a.m. Roads along the route are expected to be affected for periods throughout the day. Residents can visit www.tourdevictoria.com to get an idea of when the bulk of cyclists will be coming through their neighbourhood.

"It's not too late to ride, so join us for a great day of biking, there's a distance there for everyone," said McGrath.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering or riding in the 2013 Tour de Victoria, is asked to register at www.tourdevictoria.com by Thursday, September 19th, or in person at the Welcome Reception and Package Pick-up at Harbour Towers Hotel during the afternoon on Friday, September 20th and Saturday, September 21st.

Community members are invited to the festival finish line in front of the Legislature Lawns on Sunday afternoon, which includes food vendors, a beverage garden and family activities. On Sunday afternoon, Hesjedal will present monies raised through the ride to the GoodLife Kids Foundation and the Cowichan Valley Trail Stewards and Victoria BMX Club on behalf of the Ryders Cycling Society of Canada.

Ryders Cycling Society of Canada is dedicated to create and sustain opportunities for Canadians to ride bicycles and is spearheaded by renowned Canadian cyclist, Ryder Hesjedal. www.ryderscyclingsociety.org

 

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