Four ways to celebrate Canada Day this weekend, velo-style

This Friday, July 1, Canada nears a major milestone as the country turns 149 years young. From coast to coast to coast, Canadians will be gathering in the usual way to celebrate Confederation—likely with a lot of fireworks, barbecues and drinks of the sudsy sort.

Canadian cyclists, of course, can celebrate on the bike. In several Canadian cities, there are rides rolling out to mark the Canada Day.

Here’s a look at a few of the Canada Day rides happening in 2016:

Canada Day Populaire

Langley, B.C.

For riders looking to mark the occasion on the West Coast, the BC Randonneurs Cycling Club will be hosting the Canada Day Populaire, rolling out at Yorkson Community Park in Langley, B.C. Riders will embark between 7 and 8:30 a.m. on a 149-km tour—a kilometre for every year of Confederation. Ride-day registration costs $30.

Canada Day Ride

Orono, Ont.

Hosted by the Durham Cycling Club, this event features three rides for cyclists of varying skill levels: a 143-km ride at 8 a.m., an 80-km ride at 9 a.m. and at 11 a.m., a 30-km route gets underway. Participants will kick off at the start line in Orono Park, not far from Clarington, and will return between 1 and 2 p.m. to a barbecue, swimming and other highlights. Patriotic Canada Day jerseys are encouraged.

The ride, according to the event’s website, is open to members of Durham-area cycling clubs, Oshawa Cycling Club members, Impala riders, Bicycle Plus riders and Hope Fellowship riders.

Canada Day Ride at Albion Hills

Albion Hills Conservation Area (Peel Region), Ont.

Open to members of the Caledon Cycling Club, this evening ride is a bit more laid-back than others. The event happens between 4 and 11 p.m., with the ride itself rolling out at 5 p.m. Participants, however, can hit the saddle whenever they want. Riders will meet at the Elmview lot in the Conservation Area to watch fireworks, but be warned: this time of year, the bugs will be rampant. Plenty of bug spray is recommended, organizers say.

Canada Day Criterium

Edmonton

Though registration has been closed for the Canada Day Criterium since June 28, the ride, part of the 2016 provincial championships, promises to be a high point of a cycling summer for both competitors and spectators alike. Hosted by the Juventus Cycling Club in Edmonton, the criterium will be a points race, with riders of varying classifications—ranging from Cat. 5 to U-15/U-17—taking to the circuit starting at 11 a.m.

The action starts at the Lendrum Community League.