Cycling Tour de Mississauga

The 3rd Annual Tour de Mississauga cycling adventure takes place on:

DATE: Sunday, September 19, 2010
FREE Registration @ 8:00am. (Waivers).  Departure @ 9:30 a.m.
Click here for Flyer (link pending).

ONLINE REGISTRATION: Recommended.  Print and bring your signed waiver to the 9:00 a.m. Registration.  Early-bird promotions for the first 100 online registrants. Register here.

STARTS and ENDS at: Vic Johnston Arena (click for map) in Streetsville

ORGANIZED by: Mississauga Cycling Advisory Committee (MCAC)

CONTACT: contact@mississaugacycling.ca

BBQ: A FREE BBQ will be held for all riders at Streetsville Memorial Park at the Tour’s end, compliments of the Region of Peel, which is promoting active transportation and lifestyle choices.  Click here for the Region of Peel’s Walk and Roll program.

2010 ROUTES:
This year, the Tour de Mississauga route will focus on the Northwest quadrant of the City.  The 60 km “Signature” course highlights the off-road trails and on-road cycling routes available throughout NW Mississauga, starting and ending in Streetsville.  A shorter 25 km “Family” route is also available.  Plans are also underway for a 100 km road-only “Challenge” route, based on the demand expressed during last year’s Tour.  Maps and directions are being made available online as they progress in their development.

There are so many trails and routes to discover in Mississauga that the Cycling Committee has decided to break the City into four quadrants, and design a cycling route for each quadrant that highlights points of interest and special trails in that part of the City.  All four routes will lead to City Centre at some point along the way, and the resultant map of all the routes will resemble a four-leaf clover emanating from the City Centre.  After a four-year cycle, Tour participants will know the entire City well!

After this Tour, you’ll feel like you’ve seen the whole City, yet it is still only one quadrant!  And most of the route is fairly flat: any reasonably in-shape adult will be able to complete the 60 km. The shorter 25 km route (ideal for families) is incorporated into the first leg of the 60 km Tour, which gives participants a chance to decide if they’d like to continue and do the whole ride, or quickly make it back to the starting point. There is also a get-off point further along.

THIS IS NOT A RACE – THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION! Some riders may complete the 60 km route in 2-3 hours; more leisurely riders may come in at around 4-5 hours.  These times include washroom and refreshment breaks along the way.  A photo contest has been proposed to document the route, which may add to some riders’ times!  Come out on September 19th and see what you’ve been missing — learn a great route you can ride again and again, plus it’s a great way to meet other cyclists from all over the City.

The 2010 Tour includes an amazing array of experiences: Enjoy the quaint town of Streetsville and highlights of new trail work, learn routes with bike lanes and see public art, gardens and a fantastic view of the tall buildings in the urban core coming over the new Confederation Parkway Bridge.  There will be a ride-by of City Hall (Civic Square is under extensive renovation this year) and the Central Library.  Explore the natural areas along the Lisgar Brook, Milgrove, Lake Wabukayne and Lake Aquitaine trails.  Discover Old Meadowvale Village, and tour new Meadowvale which celebrates its 40^th Anniversary this year.  Part of the route will be along the Culham Trail which takes riders up close to the Credit River.  Tunnels, bridges, natural areas and urban pavements: this route has got it all.

Further details and this year’s routes are being finalized. Meanwhile, check out last year’s (2nd Annual) Tour on the MCAC website to read about the experience and view last year’s route maps and Tour instructions for the Southwest Quadrant.

NOTE: Every September 22 is World Car Free Day (click for website).  MCAC is putting theory into practice and celebrating Car Free Day by creating and riding routes through the City that will help create permanent change in transportation planning and habits.  The Tour de Mississauga takes place annually on the weekend before September 22.  Get out and celebrate!