With 1,302 cyclists on the road, Sunday’s 18th annual Tour de l’Alberta was the biggest yet.
“That’s a very good number,” said event general coordinator Dan Boonstra. “It’s about 200 more than the last two years, so it’s definitely a record number for us.”
The event’s first group of cyclists pushed off from the Ray McDonald Sports Centre in Morinville at 7 a.m. under sunshine and blue skies. The Tour de l’Alberta is the Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club’s (EBTC) signature event and the province’s largest single day recreational ride.
“More and more people seem to like joining us every year,” said Boonstra.
Tour de l’Alberta cyclists pedalled routes of 20, 50, 100 or 175 kilometres, and even children were able to get in on the fun with a 5-km route of their own. As riders wound their way through Sturgeon County, communities provided rest stops along the way in St. Albert, Alcomdale, Cardiff, Legal, Westlock, Clyde and Gibbons.
The 100-km ride remains the event’s most popular with more than 700 cyclists participating this year. About 300 cyclists chose the longest route going for 175 km and 250 riders did the 50 km.
More than 200 volunteers supported riders throughout the day. They supplied food and refreshments at rest stops, provided radio communications for volunteers on the road and helped cyclists along the route.
The increasing popularity of the Tour de l’Alberta illustrates the growing number of people choosing to take up cycling.
Andrew Phelps, who opened St. Albert’s Cranky’s Bike Shop in 2001, says that he has seen a definite increase in the popularity of cycling. “It’s grown consistently every year since we’ve opened.”
According to legendary Canadian cyclist Alex Stieda, part of the great appeal of cycling is “that feeling of adventure and discovery we had as kids.”
Stieda was the first North American ever to wear the iconic yellow jersey in the Tour de France. He has been involved in cycling since 1977 and has absolutely noticed the sport growing, in recent years especially.
“The last three or four years, I’ve really seen a marked increase in the excitement and enthusiasm for road cycling.”
Stieda, who lives in Edmonton, praises the EBTC’s efforts in providing opportunities like the Tour de l’Alberta that allow people to get involved and stay involved in the sport.
“The Edmonton Club is doing a great job filling a niche that is very important,” Stieda said.
Stedia was Grand Marshal for the Tour de l’Alberta ride a decade ago and rode the 100-km distance last year.
This was the third year that Edmonton cyclists Denis Foth and Dean Wood participated in the Tour de l’Alberta. Foth has been cycling for over 30 years and Wood has been with the sport for 20. The friends keep returning to the Tour de l’Alberta because it’s an enjoyable ride.
“Exercise and good company with fellow cyclists who are basically recreational — we’re not racers, we’re just out for the recreation,” said Foth. “It’s a lovely day and it’s summertime and it’s just good to be out.”
The pair do a four-day bike trip in the mountains every summer and Sunday’s ride served as “gentle training” for their trip starting in Jasper in a couple of weeks.
The growing popularity of triathlons seems to have had a positive effect on cycling. Stieda sees road riders coming from triathlons and discovering cycling through the triathlon world.
And it’s true in Phelps’ shop as well, where triathlons have brought in another group of riders from swimming and running that are new to the sport.
Stieda has observed that the low-impact nature of cycling makes it an attractive sport for baby boomers especially. “A lot of people are cycling because they can’t run anymore. Their feet, ankles, hips are going out.”
Phelps said that cycling is always popular with younger kids, but he’s now seeing more retirement-aged people purchasing bikes to cruise the paved trails for something to do — a form of activity.
Joanne Veit of Edmonton began participating in road rides this month at 69 years old.
“I’ve been cycling to work for the last few years — just on nice days — and this is the first year that I’ve been in sort of longer distance rides, and I’ve really enjoyed them,” said Veit. “The first one I was on (was) out in Victoria a couple of weeks ago so I’m looking forward to this one.”
She participated in the Victoria ride with her sisters and did the Tour de l’Alberta with her daughter. Veit chose the 50-km route while her daughter rode with the 100-km bunch.
The Tour de l’Alberta was also a family event for the Henrys who travelled from Fort McMurray for the ride. Laura Henry helped daughter Grace, 6, and son Oliver, 4, prepare for the children’s 5-km loop while her husband rode with the 100-km group.
“We’re from New Brunswick and we just moved to Alberta so this is our first race here. My husband did races in New Brunswick,” said Henry. “We’re actually living in Fort McMurray and we just came down for the weekend, for the race.”
Henry didn’t ride in the event, but said that cycling is an activity her whole family enjoys together.
