Ever since Victoria native Ryder Hesjedal won the Giro d'Italia in 2012, it has been clear that Canada's west is not just for canoeing, hiking and fishing. "Road cycling has become increasingly popular in recent years," says Hesjedal. Clear evidence of this are several major road cycling events between Victoria and Banff. Three hobby races alone premièred in 2011: in Victoria, in the Okanagan Valley and in Banff. Hesjedal himself organised his own racing bike event; the Ryder Hesjedal's Tour de Victoria leads around his home town, on the most beautiful routes the professional knows.
Former professional cyclist Axel Merckx also seized the opportunity to use his good name and the great cycling terrain of his adopted home in the Okanagan Valley for a cycling event. In 2011, he launched the Grandfondo named after him there for the first time. And further east, in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, a GranFondo starts, which leads through Banff National Park. 25 kilometres south of Banff, in Canmore, is where Chandra Crawford lives and trains. The 2006 Olympic cross-country skiing sprint champion not only shows us the magnificent GranFondo route on her racing bike.
However, the first race for everyone in the region took place in Vancouver in 2010, the GranFondo Whistler. There were 4,000 participants right from the start - and 7,000 the following year. Adam Campbell, one of Canada's best cross-country runners, who lived in the city between the sea and the mountains for a long time, shows us that there are other great routes in Vancouver.
"Anyone who's anyone in Canada," says tour operator and Canadian immigrant Jörg Becker, "doesn't play golf, they ride road bikes." Cyclists from Europe who want to get to know the country's most beautiful tours - and Canadian sports enthusiasts - can top off their holiday with an Everyman event. You can find more information in the magazine.
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