Tour de Victoria ready to roll

Three group rides expected to draw up to 1,500 cyclists

Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria on Sunday is expected to attract up to 1,500 cyclists and result in rolling road closures throughout Greater Victoria.

The bicycle tour has three routes that are based on fitness levels.

The Christie Phoenix Challenge is a 45-kilometre jaunt for the entry-level crowd, the Trek Legend is a 90-km ride that would appeal to the enthusiast and the Harbour Air Seaplanes Epic is a challenging 140-km ride meant for the experienced cyclist.

All the events take place on public roads with vehicles held back at intersections.

Motorists should expect traffic delays of up to 20 minutes as participants make their way through Victoria, the West Shore and the Saanich Peninsula.

Expect delays at Sayward Road and the Patricia Bay Highway, with lesser delays on Willis Point Road and on Sooke Road between Happy Valley Road and Glen Lake Road.

The Epic ride starts at 7 a.m. and the Legend at 8:30 a.m., both on Belleville Street in front of the legislature building. The Challenge ride starts at 10 a.m. at the Sidney Spit Ferry dock at 2540 Beacon Ave.

All three tours end on Belleville Street.

Victoria police will use cameras “in support of our operations to ensure public safety.” The cameras will be removed after the event.

Victoria-raised Hesjedal is one of the best-known cyclists in Canada, having won the Giro d’Italia in 2012.

The event is organized by Ryder’s Cycling Society of Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting cycling.