Business is up for a number of Victoria bicycle shops, which are enjoying the economic spinoffs of the star-studded Ryder HesjedalB次元官网网址檚 Tour de Victoria and Victoria International Cycling Festival, which kicks off Friday (May 27).

With 1,200 cyclists registered for the inaugural tourB次元官网网址檚 90- and 40-kilometre rides through the Capital Region, many have turned to the professionals for help.

B次元官网网址�(Business has) definitely picked up because of this,B次元官网网址� said Troy Woodburn, owner of Trek Bicycles Victoria.

Bike sales, requests for tune-ups and cycling clinics are keeping staff on the go.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great. ItB次元官网网址檚 definitely an increase from the last few years,B次元官网网址� Woodburn said.

Mike Korb, manager of Russ HayB次元官网网址檚 The Bicycle Shop, has seen a spike in attendance at weekly rides offered through his shop, and in people keen on road bikes.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e definitely seen people gearing up,B次元官网网址� said Korb. B次元官网网址淚 think thereB次元官网网址檚 been a resurgence in the road biking aspect for us in general.

B次元官网网址淭he events are definitely getting people psyched.B次元官网网址�

The Fairfield Bicycle Shop is also cashing in on the buzz around the tour and festival.

In recent months, co-owner Tim Unger has seen an increase in people returning to cycling, newcomers to the sport, and demand for repairs and tune-ups.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e booked up for about a week-and-a-half in advance,B次元官网网址� Unger said of the boost which started about a month ago.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 generally like this in the summer,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little bit earlier than usual that weB次元官网网址檙e booked up like that.B次元官网网址�

Celebrities taking part in the tour, such as Tour de France hero and Metchosin resident Ryder Hesjedal, are creating a lot of buzz. B次元官网网址淭he ride with the pro is obviously a larger draw,B次元官网网址� Unger said.

emccracken@vicnews.com