Ride hard to keep with up a professional cycling legend or kick back and enjoy a leisurely cruise with the rest of the family at the Ryder Hesjedal Tour de Victoria on Sunday.
The mass-participation ride, now in its fifth year, takes locals and visitors from all across North America on one of three routes that showcase the best scenic cycling in the country.
More than 1,300 cyclists are expected to register for either the Challenge, an entry-level 45-kilometre ride, the Legend, a 85-km meant for enthusiasts or the Epic, a gruelling 140-km ride to test the mettle of the experienced cyclist. There is also a 500-metre to five-kilometre Ride with Ryder children’s event on the streets around the Legislative Assembly.
Regardless of the distance chosen, cyclists are guaranteed a great day out.
“The average rider will get an experience usually only reserved for the pros,” said Seamus McGrath, director of the event, organized by Ryder’s Cycling Society of Canada. “You can join the hard-core spandex crowd and finish the 140-km route in four hours or cycle the 45-km distance having a casual conversation.”
The traffic-controlled course means cyclists have the road to themselves, with vehicles held back at intersections. There will be first-aid stations and riders will be supported by mechanics along the way.
The non-competitive rides feature topography that closely matches the aspirations of each route, ranging from 5,000 elevation gains (a cyclist’s description of hills) found in the Epic to a flat course along the coast and Lochside Trail for beginners and families in the Challenge.
Many spectators will not have to travel far to cheer on the participants.
“We have calculated that the different routes pass by 30,000 driveways,” said McGrath, a retired pro mountain biker who won medals at the Commonwealth Games and represented Canada in two Olympic Games.
Cyclists can rub shoulders with Victoria-raised Hesjedal, arguably the best-known cyclist in Canada, who won the Giro d’Italia in 2012. Thirty-four-year-old Hesjedal will accompany experienced riders in the Epic course before hosting the children’s event in the afternoon.
Hesjedal, who rides with the Cannondale-Garmin pro cycling team, created Ryder’s Cycling Society of Canada with the aim of encouraging young Canadians to get on a bicycle.
Proceeds from the Tour de Victoria, which are expected to top $40,000 this year, will benefit Opportunity International, a non-profit group that provides micro finance loans, training and insurance in developing countries.
Registration is open online until noon Thursday and in person at Trek Bikes, 338 Catherine St., until 6 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $57 for the Challenge, and $185 for the Legend and Epic.
The Epic starts at 7 a.m. on Belleville Street (in front of the Legislative Assembly). The Legend starts at 9 a.m. from Western Speedway, 2207 Millstream Rd. The Challenge starts at 11 a.m. from Iroquois Park, Ocean Avenue, Sidney. A free shuttle will take riders from downtown to both Challenge and Legend start locations. Participant check-in 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Trek Bikes, 338 Catherine St.
The free children’s ride (up to age 13) starts at 2:30 p.m. from the grounds of the Legislative Assembly. Distances covered in this ride (500-metres to 5 km) are dependent upon the age group.
Children taking part must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
All routes finish in front of the legislature, where activities will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, go to tourdevictoria.com.
Celebrate flavours of North Saanich
North Saanich is celebrating its golden jubilee with a park dedication on Saturday and the annual North Saanich Flavour Trail and Wine Fest, which runs Saturday and Sunday.
The Flavour Trail offers residents and visitors the opportunity to explore and experience Peninsula food and agriculture. The event offers participants a choice of 16 venues to discover over two days.
You can discover how to grow oranges and lemons, make home-grown marmalade, grow vegetables, save seeds or how to make a salad from edible flowers in the garden.
You can also watch a sheep-dog herding demonstration, have tea or coffee with fresh scones and home-made strawberry jam, wander through a historic church, visit a lavender farm or picnic by the Salish Sea.
For the first time at the event, visitors can sample wines from the region.
The Jubilee Park dedication starts with a pancake breakfast. The event is by donation. It runs 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the park, 1377 Mills Rd. (beside Trinity Church).
The Flavour Trail begins at the North Saanich Farm Market, held at the St. John’s United Church, 10990 West Saanich Rd.
on Saturday. From there, people can visit the 15 other locations in any order.
There are two evening events — a barbecue on Friday at the Muse Winery and pizza and wine at the Roost Farm Centre on Saturday. The weekend closes with a Sunday reception at Snowdon House Studio and Farm featuring Laura Waters’ edible Douglas Fir products. Tickets are $40. Proceeds go to the Relay for Life.
Visitors can join in a leisurely 25-kilometre Flavour Cycle guided tour that visits farms, markets, and other tasty stops. This year’s tour, offered on both Saturday and Sunday, adds electric bicycles into the mix. You can use your own bike or rent one.
The Flavour Cycle tour, which includes lunch and taxes, costs $79 with your own bike or $129 with a Pedego Victoria electric bicycle supplied.
The cycle tour runs 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from the Roost Farm Centre, 9100 East Saanich Rd. To register, call 999-2997 or go to tidesgroup.com.
The Flavour Trail tour is free. Brochures showing the various stops can be downloaded from the event website or are available at the North Saanich Municipal Hall, North Saanich Farmers’ Market, as well as most libraries and recreation centres.
For more information, go to flavourtrails.com.
Latest fashions go on show
Some of Vancouver Island’s most talented designers and makers of fine clothing will be showing off their creations at Fashion Splash, an outdoor fashion show at sundown on Saturday.
The annual event features the work of more than 17 local clothing designers, worn by 23 models.
The weekend begins with a VIP preshow and party at Robazzo design studio on Friday.
The preshow is a deconstructed fashion show that allows people an up-close- and-personal view of each designer’s work and a chance to chat with the designers.
The fashion show is augmented by a weekend market at Ship Point, offering hand-made jewelry, clothing and accessories, that runs Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.
Live music will be on hand, featuring The O’Briens, Clay George, Knackers Yard and more.
The market is open 6 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
VIP seats for the show are $10 for second row and $40 for front row.
The show runs 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Ship Point, 814 Wharf St.
For more information on the weekend’s events, go to fashionsplash.net.
Lanterns light up procession
Celebrate an evening of music and light at the 2015 Esquimalt Lantern Festival on Saturday.
The neighbourhood community celebration, usually held in the fall, has moved to the summer this year.
You are invited to bring a lantern to join in a light procession that winds along the West Bay Walkway to Barnard Park, then returns back to Captain Jacobson Park where the festivities will continue.
This is a family-friendly event, with children's activities, belly dancers, fire dancers and live music.
There is limited parking next to Captain Jacobson Park. Please park behind the Archie Browning Arena or at L’école
Victor Brodeur school. Please leave pets at home.
The event is free. It runs 5 to 10 p.m. at Captain Jacobson Park, 503 Head St. For details, go to esquimalt.ca.
Festival offers a taste of Korea
Experience Korean entertainment, arts, crafts and food at the Korea Festival on Saturday.
This is the second year of the event, which attracted more than 1,000 visitors last year. Organizers are expecting between 3,000 and 5,000 people at this year’s one-day festival.
The event, promoted by the Korean Festival Society, is held to show and strengthen the relationship between the people of Canada and Korea.
Visitors can try on traditional clothing, play games, make a classic fan and learn to speak Korean over a tea ceremony.
There will be entertainment from traditional and modern musical and martial arts performers, including tae-kwan-do, the B-Boys, Pung Mul and a fan dance.
Gastronomic tourists can try tteokbokki, bulgogi, and pa jun, and take a cooking class to learn how to make patbingsu and songpyeon.
The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Centennial Square.
For information, go to facebook/Vicorea2015.
Temple opens its doors
The Victoria Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre is hosting an open house and the Cultural and Arts Festival of India on Saturday and Sunday.
The event’s theme is Fairs, Festivals and Food, and features dazzling classical and folk dances, music and crafts.
There will be a variety of interactive activities including a photo booth, sari and turban tying, mehendi (Henna), Bollywood dance lessons, palm reading, Vedic architecture and cooking demonstrations.
A handicrafts table, popular last year, will again feature donated artifacts, clothing, jewelry and art collections.
Proceeds will benefit the temple.
Visitors will be treated to an authentic Indian street-food experience, showcasing food not usually found in restaurants. Admission is free.
The open house and festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the temple, 1934 Cultra Ave., Saanichton.
For more details, go to victoriahindutemple.com or Facebook.
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