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Festive atmosphere at 2017 Tour de l’Île de Montréal

25,000 cyclists took to the streets on Sunday morning

June 4, 2017
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The 65 and 100 km routes

The classic 50 km route

Approximately 25,000 cyclists are expected to participate in the 33rd edition of Tour de l’Île de Montréal. The event was marked by the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vélo Québec and the 375th anniversary of Montreal.

The popularity of cycling in Montreal is on the rise with a recent study suggesting as many as one million of the cities residents have swapped their vehicle for bikes according the Global News.

It was a warm and sunny day in Montreal on Sunday, June 4th with the ride beginning and ending in Jeanne-Mance Park. Riders began cycling the classic 50 km route at 9:15 a.m. Riders could also do the shortened tour or the more ambitious 65 km or 100 km rides on the car free streets. There was also the option of a 50 km express ride for those interested in maintaining an average speed of 30 kph.

“With the Tour de L’Île de Montreal, we encourage everybody to use their bike just for a ride, and a lot of people at this time just realized, ‘If I can ride 60 km today, then I can ride it next week and the weeks after,’” Suzanne Lareau a member of the cycling advocacy group Vélo Québec told Global.

The start area was festive with a musical send off and Quebec singer Vincent Vallières. There was also an exhibit on the history of cycling in Montreal. A long the route there were fun pit-stops for riders and a circus to entertain participants and spectators at the start finish area on Park.

Spectators and the cities residents lined the streets to cheer on the riders. This year the route took participants to the west end of the island.

It wasn’t a particularly warm day but 20 degrees still made the day one of the hotter days this spring. Riders interested in cooling off could refresh themselves at pit-stops but also thanks to spectators such as the one below with a garden hose in hand.

Riders of all levels participated with admission for young children being free to encourage families to participate and get young cyclists onto bikes.

More social media posts from the 2017 Tour de l’Île