Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club
This group offers race tips and helps develop the endurance and skills needed to safely participate in a race.
Club Name: Edmonton Bicycle & Touring Club
City: Edmonton
Established: 1978
Members: 400+
Web: bikeclub.ca
When Ron Chapman and his wife Chris signed up for the Ride to Conquer Cancer, they joined the Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club (EBTC) to get some proper training and experience. Now, three years later, Ron is the president of the 33-year-old club that has more than 400 members. With rides almost every day of the week and a welcoming program for new cyclists, the EBTC is a recreational, not-for-profit and volunteer-run group that supports and encourages riders of all levels. “Activities like Cycling 101 make it easy for newcomers to join the group,” said Ron.
The Chapmans first joined the Rookie Recreational Rides that are geared to new cyclists. But there are also rides like the Thursday Afternoon Get-A-Ways, which explore the highways north of Edmonton and Ride the Parkland which takes riders through communities just west of the city. Wednesday’s Show and Go Cycling is an easy social ride touring Edmonton’s bike paths and quiet residential streets, and Outback rides are designed for all levels of highway riders. More serious cyclists wanting to train for a race take part in Target the Tour each week. This group offers race tips and helps develop the endurance and skills needed to safely participate in a race.
Regardless of the type of ride, spending time together is valued by the EBTC. “We will often stop at funky little places such as a caboose restaurant. One time we rode to the Edmonton Valley Zoo for their birthday celebration and got to cut the birthday cake,” said Dan Boonstra, a seven-year member. Whether it’s ice cream, lunch or coffee, taking a break together is a regular part of EBTC activities.
The club also provides numerous opportunities to enjoy the diverse landscapes of Alberta. Trips like Jasper-Banff, Elk Island-Lamont, Waterton Lakes and Blue River keep members exploring every corner of their home province. The highlight event of the year is the EBTC’s Tour de l’Alberta, held annually on the last day of the Tour de France. This non-competitive ride is fully supported and offers five distance options from five kilometres for kids up to 185 km. The event increases awareness of cycling and celebrates Alberta’s French heritage by taking riders through some of the province’s French communities just outside of Edmonton.
While cycling is the focus of the EBTC, friendship is just as important. “We love it,” said Ron Chapman, “I don’t think we could ever move back to the coast now, the friendships we have made through the club mean too much to us.”
Kathy Fitzgerald is an Edmonton-based freelance writer who cycled in her first Tour de l’Alberta this year.
