Jun. 09, 2010 - Issue #764: Hot Summer Guide 2010

Fantasti-cycle journeys

Top cycle tours across the continent

As an avid year-round cyclist, I use my wheels primarily as a form of transportation, helping to get me from one place to another typically quicker than transit or vehicle within urban centres. However, I still have to manoeuver my way through traffic, pedestrians and other cyclists as I ride along city streets. So when an occasion arises where I can escape the routine and let loose, I relish it.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a couple of big cycling events, both within major urban centres other than my own. There's something very awesome about cycling with thousands of other riders of various ages and abilities, riding everything from decorated two-wheelers to unicycles and tandems.

It's also a growing niche tourism market, as more and more individuals are travelling to attend these annual, national events. With the added environmental and health benefits, along with a great party atmosphere, it's no wonder the number of participants continues to grow each year.

If there's one place in North America you'd likely not consider cycling, I'd have to say the majority would agree on New York City. But on a recent trip to the Big Apple that's exactly what I did, and I discovered it was the same as with any other urban centre whereby cycling is the most efficient form of transport.

There are clearly marked bike lanes running throughout Manhattan and over the numerous bridges connecting up with the outlying boroughs. The Five Boro Bike Tour dates back to 1977 and takes place in the spring of every year. For the past four years the tour has reached maximum advance registration numbers of 32 000 participants who enjoy a 68-kilometre stretch of traffic-free roads.

According to Hannah Borgeson, Bike New York communications director, there are approximately 50 percent new riders each year. The numbers also show that approximately 35 percent of riders are from within the five boroughs, 60 percent are from out of state and five percent are international visitors.

The entertainment aspect was increased this year, with performances taking place at each of the rest stops that were reflective of the cultural diversity of the neighbourhoods. One of the highlights of this tour is the opportunity to ride across several of the numerous bridges connecting each area, offering an unparalleled viewing vantage point of the various skylines.

Back in Canada, the Montréal Bike Fest also attracts in the range of 30 000 cyclists for its annual 50-kilometre Tour de l'Île and 20-kilometre Tour la Nuit, which is a unique nighttime ride through the city streets. Now in its 26th year, there are at least two registrants who have participated in every tour to date. Many people also choose to ride the route with one of the thousands of Bixi bikes that make up Montréal's great bike-sharing program.

According to Geneviève Beauvais, Vélo Québec public relations director, last year 150 cyclists from Vermont rode to Montréal to participate, and there were 100 Montréal riders who participated in the Five Boro Bike Tour. Approximately 3000 cycling enthusiasts ride in the Metropolitan Challenge that happens one week prior and traverses through the stunning scenery of the Laurentians and Lanaudière regions of Quebec.

Further west, two cycling events worth noting are the Banff National Park Bike Fest and the Golden Triangle Tour. The Banff National Park Bike Fest features five challenging road races and two family friendly events taking place throughout Banff and Lake Louise. There may be no other location in the world with as many and different types of wildlife crossings as in Banff National Park.

The Golden Triangle Tour, in existence for more than a quarter century, is organized through the Calgary-based Elbow Valley Cycle Group. It's a 300-km loop that crosses the Great Divide twice, and is generally completed in three days. This ride is definitely for the more ambitious as the route follows major roadways and has climbs of more than 500 metres. A welcome stop is in Radium where the hot springs assist with rejuvenation, before reaching the most strenuous section through Vermilion Pass back to Banff.

Trip coordinator Don Hollingshead describes the tour as "a rural ride where cyclists begin individually as opposed to riding as a mass." He recalls highlights such as the 83-year-old rider who's on his 10th tour, a couple who met, married and spent their honeymoon on tour, and one rider from Winnipeg who's completed 25 tours.

The fun continues throughout British Columbia with the Tour BC, a seven-day 636-km bike tour where participants cycle a looped route from Burnaby through Harrison Hot Springs, Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish, before ending up back in Vancouver. Tour BC is a fully-supported bicycle tour now in its 15th year that appeals to those seeking a challenging ride. The group is limited to 120 participants. The route is changed slightly each year to encourage repeat riders, and the nighttime festivities add to the element of a vacation from the routine.

The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is considered the ultimate of all bike tours, based solely on the fact that it crosses the international border between Canada and the United States, and ends at the Mexican border. As well, at 4363 kilometres, it's recognized as the longest mapped and published off-pavement bike route in the world.

The route was created by the Adventure Cycling Association and is generally ridden north to south, crossing the Continental Divide a total of 30 times. Riding out of Banff National Park, the route takes in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, reaching ascents of up to 12 000 feet above sea level at Indiana Pass in Colorado.

The entire trip generally takes around three months for the leisurely rider who stops frequently along the way; however, many also choose to complete the route in shorter segments of one or two weeks at a time over several years. This is definitely one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that most people only dream of doing. Any interested cyclists must do pre-planning research, prepare both mentally and physically, and be prepared for all types of riding conditions from rugged terrain to inclement weather.

For cyclists who spend a lifetime biking city streets, these cycling tours represent an escape on a grand scale. As I continue to ride the urban thoroughfares every day, I daydream of completing each and every one. Just my bike and the open road. V

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