Albertans, cyclists and outdoor junkies rejoice! For the first time ever, the popular bike race, L’Étape by Tour de France is coming to Canada on August 14. And the only Canadian city the tour is stopping by happens to be our beloved Albertan capital.
While it might not be 23 days long like the Tour de France, you can certainly experience the thrill of the OG professional bike race without actually flying to France.
View this post on Instagram
Recreating a stage (or a day) of Tour de France, the 1-day race will give cyclists a chance to bike a challenging 180 km through Edmonton’s impressive cityscape and gorg scenic views. But if 180 km is not your thang, worry not. You can also choose from an 80 km and 45 km ride. Still not your cup of tea? There’s also a Family Ride and a Kids’ Race to keep the whole fam entertained and enjoying the outdoors.
In the official Tour de France style, the event will start at a Départ, aka the gathering point for participants of the race. And this Départ is in the very heart of the city at Churchill Square which will turn into a major biking fair with a Tour de France fan expo and an authentic Tour de France Museum.
From meeting superstar cyclists to gathering professional cycling tips to attending workshops, demos and competitions to tasting the latest sports nutrition, the Départ will have it all to make your sporting day truly memorable. Plus, you also get to check out the best and latest bicycles and gadgets in the biking world.
The event also brings along the sporting camaraderie of Tour de France. So, when you register for the ride, you will receive a t-shirt, water bottle and medal. And if you happen to be one of the top overall finishers, you will receive an official Yellow Jersey and a free entry into L’Étape du Tour. Meaning, you can actually race over the route of one of Tour de France’s stages.
View this post on Instagram
Hold on! The fun doesn’t end just yet. Because no great event is ever complete without great food, this one comes with an after-race BBQ meal too. And top finisher or not, you can join in. You’ll get a BBQ ticket when you register.
To be a part of this exciting and massive sports affair, you can register at the L’Étape Canada website. Just FYI, kids ride for free!
L’Etape by Tour de France
When: August 14, 2022
