Get pumped up for Family Ride on eve of Tour
1,000 expected to bike for kids in need of mental-health services
More bike tires are expected to be pumped up Monday, Sept. 2 than at any other time in Edmonton’s history.
All Albertans are being invited to take part in a fun ride on the eve of the start of the Tour of Alberta, which is attracting many of the world’s top professional cyclists to a six-stage race around the province.
“We are expecting more than 1,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities to take part in our inaugural Tour of Alberta Family Ride,” says Nadine Samycia, executive director of CASA, a provider of mental health services for children and adolescents.
“It starts and finishes in Churchill Square, where the six-day tour starts and finishes the next day. Hundreds of kids will have the chance to feel what it might be like to be a professional cyclist.”
Mayor Stephen Mandel, who will ride in the event as co-honourary marshal, says not only is the ride supporting a worthwhile cause, it will show there is fun in fitness activities.
“I hope many moms and dads come out and ride with their children,” he says. “Cycling is fun and has many health benefits. I often cycle to work in the summer.”
Edmonton’s Alex Stieda, who in 1986 became the first North American to win a leader’s yellow jersey in the Tour de France, says he will ride and pass on tips before the 11 a.m. start. “… Families will find one of the key parts of cycling is enjoying being together. You don’t have to go fast to relish the experience.”
Three rides, two kilometres, five km and 12 km, are planned.
“The final routes will be chosen based on the cost of closing roads,” says Duane Vienneau, executive director of the Alberta Peloton Association, organizers of the Tour.
For what it is worth, I’ve been so enjoying helping create the event that I have been drafted as the other honourary marshal.
HE ’ S STILL GOT IT
Cyclist Stieda, 52, who 20 years ago dreamed of creating a Tour of Alberta, has resigned from the organizing committee and hopes to benefit by taking time off from his IT job.
“I’m offering 15 men or women who know how to draft and are comfortable in group situations the chance to take part in my VIP Pro Cycling Experience,” says Stieda. “We will ride ahead of the main Tour of Alberta. If you have a great road bike, have shaved legs that have endured some long, hard rides, and you know what the terms drafting, echelon and prologue mean, this is your kind of ride.”
The cost is $9,500 and Stieda says riders have been in touch to ask why it is so much.
“I explain they are fully supported each of five days with meals, ride nutrition, mechanical support and massage therapists,” he says. “Our group will also stay at the same hotels as the professionals, have VIP access and experiences at each finish festival and have tickets to the VIP opening and closing galas.”
NO LANCE
Stieda has also been invited to this year’s Tour de France to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the race with all finishers from previous years.
“Many riders are expected to watch the race finish in Paris,” he says. “But I’m not expecting Lance Armstrong to be there.”
Stieda’s mother Geraldine, 75, is coming over from Australia to ride with her son and two daughters in the June 7 Third Axel Merckx Granfondo in Penticton.
“My mother stays pretty fit, but we’ll ride the 92-kilometre Mediofondo,” says Stieda. “Not the 160-kilometre Granfondo distance.”
Oilers new head coach Dallas Eakins is also signed up to ride with actress wife Ingrid Kavelaars.
PINOT ON THE PATIO
It’s June, Bike Month: one more cycling mention.
When you read this I will be pedalling on the 135-kilometre route between Kimberley and Radium on our 900-kilometre ride back from Fernie, B.C.
It’s our annual bike ride in Support of Kids with Cancer and we will celebrate at our Pinot on the Patio event Wednesday, July 3 at the Royal Glenora Club. A couple of auction items that we hope will drive our total to more than $2 million: A dinner for 10 with wine at Teresa Spinelli’s Massimo’s Cucina and a wine tasting for 12 at Vines wine store in Riverbend, to be conducted by the amazing William Bincoletto.
Tickets $65, at 780-4962459.