The province’s inaugural cycling race, Tour of Alberta, will hit Edmonton’s streets on Tuesday and residents have been advised to be cautious when heading downtown.
Cyclists will travel a 7.3 kilometre route through downtown Tuesday evening and parking and road restrictions will be in place mid-day.
“I am so happy, just to see everything come to fruition,” Alex Stieda told CTV News.
“It is amazing, we have the best riders in the world here, the weather's perfect, couldn't ask for anything better.”
There are about 118 cyclists expected to ride over 900 kilometres in six days, through several Alberta communities.
It is something the government hopes will bring the world spotlight to Alberta.
“I can't think of many opportunities one would have to show case that to 100-million people around the world in a hundred countries or more,” Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Verlyn Olson, said.
On Monday the celebrations for the cycling race kicked off at Churchill Square with Family Ride Monday.
The event began at 11 a.m. in Churchill Square and was designed to raise money for CASA Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health.
Participants cycled 12 kilometers starting off at the Square and heading down 102 Avenue, headed south at 107 Street then west down River Valley Road.
Cyclists then looped around just before Groat Road and headed back downtown.
Organizers were hoping to raise $50,000.
The Tour of Alberta will wrap up Sunday in Calgary.
With files from Susan Amerongen
