September 17/08 10:51 am - 2008 Times Colonist Cycling Festival this weekend

Posted by Editoress on 09/17/08
 

2008 Times Colonist Cycling Festival

The 2008 Times Colonist Cycling Festival, presented by Saunders Subaru is a cycling festival like no other. The four days - September 18 to 21, 2008, brings together four events presented by Cardinal Law

Click on the link for each specific event for maps, entry lists, schedules and more

Thursday, September 18th
'Legs and Lungs'
Bear Mountain Resort Hill Climb

Friday, September 19th
'Speed and Tactics'
Dr. Walker Madison Tournament

Saturday, September 20th
'Heart and Soul'
Oak Bay Bikes Criterium

Sunday, September 21st
'Guts and Glory'
100.3 the Q Bastion Square Grand Prix Criterium

Kids Ride for Free at the Tim Hortons Timbit Challenge - Simon Whitfield and Ryder Hesjedal will be leading the kids around the ride. Register at Tim Hortons Timbit Challenge


Olympians to Lead the Next Generation of Olympians

Victoria's Olympians Simon Whitfield, Ryder Hesjedal and Alison Sydor will lead our next generation of cyclists and potential Olympians at the Tim Hortons Timbit Challenge at the Times Colonist Cycling Festival this weekend. The Timbit Challenge, at 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 21st at Bastion Square gives kids from ages five to 10 the opportunity to participate in a free, fun, non-competitive event.

"The Timbit Challenge is the cycling equivalent of the Times Colonist Kid's Fun Run," says Drew MacKenzie, Times Colonist Cycling Festival race director. "With thousands of spectators along the route cheering, it's quite an event for the kids."

The Tim Hortons Timbit Challenge takes place at 11 a.m. before the elite mens and womens criterium races at the Bastion Square Grand Prix. Timbit challengers ride alongside Olympic athletes on the closed-to-traffic 900-metre route around Bastion Square.

"While the focus is on fun and enjoying physical activity, sometimes a young rider gets the cycling bug and may just well turn out to be the next Alison, Simon or Ryder" says MacKenzie.

All Participants will receive a medal, waterbottle, snack pack of Timbits, a cycling handbook, and a T-Shirt. There is no registration fee, but participation will be limited to the first 150 registered (as of Sept 15, there are about 70 spaces left). All riders must pre-register through the TCCF website at www.victoriacyclingfestival.com. For more info, check the website or call 250.744.3583 ext. 301

Road Closure Info

Bear Mountain Hill Climb, Sept 18 - From 6 p.m. to approx. 7:30 p.m., a bike lane will be marked off on the right-hand lane of Bear Mountain Parkway, Jack Nicklaus Drive and Rockhampton Crescent for the Bear Mountain Hill Climb. Roads will not be closed, but please watch out for riders (traveling a few minutes apart in single file). The event starts at Longspur Drive and finishes on Woodhampton Rise.

Oak Bay Bikes Cops for Cancer Criterium, Sept. 20 - the perimeter roads (Windsor, Currie, Transit and Newport) around Windsor Park will be closed to traffic from 7:30 a.m. to approximately noon. Residents needing access are asked to park their cars on nearby streets.

100.3 The Q Bastion Square Grand Prix, Sept. 21 - The perimeter roads around Bastion Square (Fort, Government, Yates and Wharf) will be closed to traffic from 7:30 a.m. to approx. 2:30 p.m. Up to 3,000 spectators will be lining the course - pedestrians will be marshaled across the course at specified crosswalks to allow for safe passage of the cyclists.

For more information about the Times Colonist Cycling Festival, see www.victoriacyclingfestival.com or phone 250.744.3583 ext. 301).