If youB次元官网网址檙e looking for a ride that you can tailor to your skill and fitness levels, the Tour de Victoria may be just the ticket.
The fifth annual Ryder HesjedalB次元官网网址檚 Tour de Victoria, happening Sunday (Aug. 23), offers a choice of three distances in a non-competitive, mass participation format that works its way through the Capital Region and the West Shore, depending on the distance you choose.
The 140-kilometre Harbour Air Epic course is geared toward competitive riders, while the 85km Legend route is designed to appeal to cycling enthusiasts. The 45km Challenge is more for the entry-level cyclist, which this year will include first-time entrant Leonard Hesjedal, RyderB次元官网网址檚 father.
B次元官网网址淚 was inspired a few years ago by a rider with one leg who took part,B次元官网网址� said Leonard, who has volunteered with the event since its inception. B次元官网网址淎nd last year I made a promise to the oldest participant in the race that I would ride with him this year.B次元官网网址�
Leonard said Ryder, who grew up in the Highlands, showed an interest in cycling at an early age and made a three-year commitment to get serious about the sport after he won his first mountain bike race. B次元官网网址淩yderB次元官网网址檚 level of commitment and dedication (throughout that three-year period) made me realize that he had the potential to do great things one day,B次元官网网址� he said.
Despite RyderB次元官网网址檚 success, which includes winning the 2012 Giro dB次元官网网址橧talia and placing fifth in the Tour de France in 2010, heB次元官网网址檚 never lost sight of where heB次元官网网址檚 from, dad said.
B次元官网网址淩yder put the Tour de Victoria together to raise funds to support racers and the cycling community. He really enjoys the opportunity to give something back to the community he grew up in.B次元官网网址�
Leonard looks forward to the opportunity to finally take part in an event his son is riding in.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a proud moment to be able to celebrate the sport,B次元官网网址� he said.
Tour de Victoria director Seamus McGrath, who has ridden with Ryder Hesjedal on various occasions and will this time around, said itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渁lways nice when he can make it here.B次元官网网址�
The presence of the TourB次元官网网址檚 namesake is proving to be a drawing card, McGrath said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e well ahead of last yearB次元官网网址檚 event in terms of numbers,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that the 2014 total of 1,000 riders should increase by 300 or 400.
The coursesB次元官网网址� routes, which are tweaked every year, include the Lochside Trail, the Galloping Goose, mountain views and scenic roads that set it apart from other venues, he said.
B次元官网网址淥ne of the cool things about riding in this area is the variety of terrain,B次元官网网址� McGrath said, comparing the routes to those found on races in Europe. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e riding along the beach at the Lagoon, through farmlands in Metchosin, around the hills of the Highlands, in wine country on the Peninsula, then on the waterfront in Saanich and Oak Bay.B次元官网网址�
Registrations are open until Saturday. Entry fees are $215 for the Harbour Air epic, $175 for the Legend and $110 for the Challenge. Cycle over to tourdevictoria.com to register for the ride or find more information.
Pick your riding test
Three routes of various degrees of difficulty are available for the Ryder HesjedalB次元官网网址檚 Tour de Victoria:
B次元官网网址� Harbour Air Epic (140km) B次元官网网址� For experienced cyclists looking for a challenge; 1,500-metre elevation gain, multiple timed sections; 3.5 to 9 hours.
B次元官网网址� ProCity Legend (85km) B次元官网网址� For less competitive cyclists; starts at Western Speedway, elevation gain 850 metres, 2.5 to 6 hours.
B次元官网网址� Challenge (45km) B次元官网网址� More of a casual ride starting from Iroquois Park in Sidney, highlights the regionB次元官网网址檚 cyling friendly routes, 390 metre elevation gain, 2 to 4.5 hours.
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