Tour de France event coming to Strathcona County – FortSaskOnline.com
The perfect New Year’s resolution has arrived for Strathcona County residents.
The district was recently chosen to host L’Ètape, a cycling event hosted by the Tour de France.
The event aims to help bring the Tour de France experience to everyday people.
Michael Brown, CEO of MB Events, helped bring the event to the area.
“You and I can’t ride in the Tour de France because we’re not professional cyclists,” Brown said, “We can ride in this event because we bring the actual finish line of the Tour de France, the actual markings, bring all the pomp, so you actually feel , as if riding a Tour de France stage.”
Much like the actual Tour de France, L’Ètape is a world-renowned cycling event, with versions taking place in cities such as Mexico, France, England, Slovenia and China.
“Strathcona County is going to stand up to all these other world cities,” Brown said.
The race is open to ages 11 and up, regardless of fitness level or cycling experience.
Those looking for an authentic Tour de France experience will be able to take on the 140-kilometre route, while more casual options will also be available.
“The middle [ride] it’s about 80 kilometers, it’s for people who are just getting into cycling, we have a 40 kilometer ride, and then we also have a family ride that’s only 15 kilometers,” Brown said. “There’s no time limit; you can ride any bike you want.”
“If you have a bike and live in Strathcona County, we have an event you can attend at L’Ètape Canada.”
For those who are not interested in cycling, it is also available as a spectator.
“We do the whole athlete village, so we bring in pancakes, Belgian waffles and really make it feel like a bike festival with that French touch,” Brown said. “There’s a Tour de France museum where we have old bikes, water bottles, and it’s really a representation of the evolution of the Tour de France.”
The event will be held on August 13 and anyone interested can register here.