THE CALENDAR

APRIL

16 The Amstel Gold Race, one of the Ardennes Classics, runs on the hilly roads of the Limburg region in the Netherlands. You too can ride here in the Amstel Gold Sportive. Find out more on p.98.

17

Tro-bro Léon, what you might call the original gravel race of the modern era, hits the dirt of Finistère, Brittany. Silber Pro Cycling’s Ryan Roth won the event five years ago when he was on Team Spidertech.

19

It’s Bicycle Day, commemorating a famous bicycle trip. Or, trip on a bicycle. On this day in 1943, Albert Hofmann ingested 250 micrograms of a drug he had developed, lysergic acid diethylamide or lsd. He biked home from his lab while experiencing the psychedelic effects of the hallucinogen. Trippy. 28–30 Many top Canadian mountain bikers, such as Geoff Kabush, Maghalie Rochette and Raphaël Gagné, are planning to compete in events by Epic Rides. The first event of the Off-road series hits the trails of Prescott, Ariz., in the Whiskey Off-road.

MAY

3-7 Roughly 100 km east of Los Angeles, the Redlands Bicycle Classic challenges pros within the North American circuit. Last year, Matteo Dal-cin, then riding for Silber Pro Cycling, became the first Canadian to win the race in its 31 years. Will the Ottawa rider, now on Rally Cycling, be able to defend his title?

5-28

The Giro d’italia takes top-level riders across Italy for the 100th time. Check out our race preview on p.20.

19-20

The elite events of the Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau – the Chrono Gatineau (May 19) and Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau road race (May 20) – bring top women cyclists to the national capital region. Make sure to follow our live coverage of the road race online. 27

Road riders kick-start their season with the Gran Fondo Mont-tremblant. For more info on this event and other big rides you can do on road, gravel or singletrack, see p.44.

27-28

Riders from around Edmonton take part in the two-stage Alex Stieda Classic by the Juventus Cycling Club. The first day features the Leduc County road race, while the second day has the Edmonton Research Park criterium.

29-June 2 It’s

Bike to School Week in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area. Read about Hamilton’s Franklin Road Elementary School, on p.17, which won a Bike to School Week award in 2016.