Always touted as a “ride not a race”, more than 2,200 cyclists aged two to 92 participated in the 14th annual Tour de Victoria on Aug. 16.
Leading the ride this year alongside Ryder Hesjedal was Canadian cycling legend, former Tour de France stage winner and wearer of the Giro d’Italia leader’s jersey, Svein Tuft.
While Tuft may be an inspiration to many cyclists to ride hard and compete for fun, the Tour de Victoria is a ride, not a race.
“We’re proud to offer the most distances of any fondo-style mass participation cycling event in North America,” event director Seamus McGrath said in a news release. “With 11 distances for the entire family to choose from, the Tour de Victoria is truly a ride for all ages, all abilities and all types of bikes.”
Cyclists chose from 160km, 140km, 100km, 80km, 60km, 45km, 30km, 15km, and for children there were 200 to 800m, 3km or 6.5km rides. Many of the routes wound through quiet roads that showcased the beauty of Greater Victoria’s forests, farmland and waterfront. All participants started and finished in front of the legislature lawn where a hot lunch and cold beverages waited for them.
Learn more or plan ahead for next year’s ride online at tourdevictoria.com.
