Cycling festival brings Ryder Hesjedal home
A huge lineup of events spanning more than two weeks are on order for the Victoria International Cycling Festival.
West Shore Olympian and Tour de France competitor Ryder Hesjedal will return to the region for the event that will B次元官网网址渟howcase Victoria as the cycling capital of Canada,B次元官网网址� he said in an email from Spain, read by festival founder Rob Fawcett.
From May 27 to June 12, a series of events will showcase local cycling talent, bike merchants and opportunities for wannabe and current cyclists.
B次元官网网址淭his (festival) certainly beats anything I have ever been able to put together, so itB次元官网网址檚 certainly an exciting thing for Victoria,B次元官网网址� said city councillor and cycling enthusiast John Luton at an announcement last Friday.
B次元官网网址淧eople will be coming to ride the roads that Ryder trains on.B次元官网网址�
One aspect of the festival is HesjedalB次元官网网址檚 Tour de Victoria, scheduled for May 28. ItB次元官网网址檚 a 140- or 90-kilometre ride through the region, with the longer distance led by Hesjedal, and the shorter by fellow Olympian Simon Whitfield.
Silken Laumann, another Olympian, will lead an easier community ride starting in Beacon Hill park. Registration for the Tour de Victoria is at www.tourdevictoria.com.
The festival hopes to attract cyclists from around the world B次元官网网址渟o (people) realize VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 not only a great place to live, but a great place to compete in as well,B次元官网网址� Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong said at the launch.
In addition to the many cycling events, the festival will also team up with the Collective Works Gallery, 1311 Gladstone Ave., for a bike-inspired group art show called Peddling Art, June 10-30.
editor@goldtreamgazette.com
Mark your calendar
n May 27-28 B次元官网网址� Reels in Motion bike-inspired films, various locations.
n May 27 B次元官网网址� Harbour Sprint Series 1, 400 metre races, Belleville Street.
n May 28 B次元官网网址� Jordie Lunn Open dirt track jump demos, downtown.
n May 28 B次元官网网址� Time trials, Dallas Road.
n May 28 B次元官网网址� Ryder HesjedalB次元官网网址檚 Tour de Victoria, region-wide.
n May 29 B次元官网网址� Timbits challenge for kids, Bastion Square.
n May 29 B次元官网网址� Bastion Square Grand Prix, Bastion Square.
n June 3 B次元官网网址� Harbour Sprint Series 2, 400m races, Belleville Street.
n June 5 B次元官网网址� Classic Bike Ralley, B.C. legislature lawn.
n June 5 B次元官网网址� Family bike festival, including B次元官网网址淏ling Your Bike,B次元官网网址� B.C. legislature lawn.
n June 10 B次元官网网址� Harbour Sprint Series 3, 400m races, Belleville Street.
n June 11-12 B次元官网网址� Balls in the City bike polo tournament, Wharf Street.
n June 11-12 B次元官网网址� Jumpship freeride mountain bikers perform tricks on a barge, Inner Harbour.
