Montrealers ride for the 25th anniversary of Tour la Nuit
Posted May 31, 2024 11:40 pm.
Last Updated June 1, 2024 9:42 am.
It was all bicycles at Jeanne-Mance park and around the island of Montreal Friday, as cyclists embarked on a 24-kilometre ride for Tour la Nuit.
The event along with Tour de l’Île on Sunday are part of the Go Vélo Montréal Festival, which offers a week of cycling and activities for all. Vélo Québec CEO Jean-Francois Rheault was proud to be celebrating 25 years of bringing Montrealers together while lighting up the streets.
“An event like Tour de la Nuit or Tour de la Nuit are unique. It’s something that you must experience in your lifetime. It’s something that all levels of cyclists can do. It’s easy to do, easy to ride,” Rheault said.
“It’s probably my third time. I’m not necessarily from Montreal, but I love visiting Montreal, especially for events like these ones,” said one cyclist.
Programming began at 6 p.m. with food trucks, festivities and entertainment. It was off to the races around 8:30 p.m. for a journey running from the streets of Montreal’s South-West to along the Lachine Canal.
“It’s fun to see everyone else from the community, everyone from our city,” one participant said.
“You don’t have to get an expensive bike. It’s a way to just get out there and enjoy the nature and being outside,” said another.
In a press release Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante noted “these unique moments, when bicycles are king, allow Montrealers to move, while seeing their city differently. The Tour la Nuit and the Tour de l’Île are, for some people, an opportunity to discover the pleasure of cycling in the city.
“There’s so many polarizing issues today, so I think this is something that everyone can share. No one can be opposed to a biking event,” one cyclist told CityNews.
Come Sunday, Montrealers will have two route options for participating in this year’s Tour de l’Île:
The Regular Route, which departs at 9:15 a.m. from Jeanne-Mance Park, will head southwest. In addition to the classic 50 kilometres, it will be possible to opt for a shortened 28-kilometre route.
Enthusiasts can also opt for a longer Discovery Route beginning at 7 a.m. The two choices of circuits as part of this route – 68 kilometres and 96 kilometres – will run in marked lanes open to automobile traffic.
