Tour of Alberta Sept 2/3 - Edmonton - Page 3

SHOFEAR · #41 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 1:56 PM**

I was very impressed. Took in the first 45minutes on the front steps of the shaw conference. The wife and I brought our camping chairs so it was a great sport to watch people come cruising down the hill. Probably 750 people on the hill from top to bottom. We then walked through the shaw and alongside the course down 97th....after the speeds on the hill, the tight corners were neat to see.

Churchill was awesome. Very impressed with the tournout.

Hung around churchill for a bit then wondered the courses back to 104street.

A lot of people seemed to be slowly wondering the entire length of the course on their bikes....which seems like a good idea and thats what i'll do next year. Except I wont be like one of those bags of dicks wondering around churchill with a bike. Seriously. complete tools.

Hopefully Calgary can support the finish the way we supported the start. I see promise in this.

Coldrsx · #42 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 2:22 PM**

Excellent event. There was considerable bike parking on the east side of Churchill.

Some photos

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...96#post6254196

Coldrsx · #43 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 2:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket252

Why did they not have the race on the holiday Monday in the afternoon when more people would turn out?

To me a Tuesday after work race did not make sense

The whole idea was to have people stay downtown after work, not leave at 2pm because of closures.

That said, having it on back to school day 1 might be an issue.

SHOFEAR · #44 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 2:42 PM**

City sure looks good.

• Video Link

EdmTrekker · #45 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 3:00 PM**

Thanks for posting that SHOFEAR - a great clip!!

s211 · #46 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 3:38 PM**

What the heck is that furry at around 3:33?

Airboy · #47 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 4:58 PM**

Excellent event.
It’s nice when you can see the top athletes compete, it give you a new understanding of the sport.
But there were some minor issues, one being the placement of the food truck to the team area. I know when I did prerace warm ups the smell of food made me gag. But is nice to be up close to the teams to watch the prep. Yes the lack of sitting was an issue as well. But made a point of walking some of the course so I did not have a problem just my SO who has mobility issues right now. Overall I believe this is going to be a good event and educating the public is going to help. I do love the way the crowd supported the Canadian riders.
As for the bikes in the area and riders in their Kit, I saw a lot of Cycle Logic and ERTC riders.
I did see Terra Witten standing off to the side though.
As we were walking I thought about how 104st could have been used, imagine a shot down the street with all the patios full.
Also I am impressed by the hill climbing speed these guys have. When you think the fastest guys were averaging just over a minute a K.

Coldrsx · #48 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 5:42 PM**

Agreed about 104st and perhaps some patio extensions to the street side.

I definitely have a new appreciation for the sport.

Design-mind · #49 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 5:50 PM**

This tour is looking well attended, which is great to see. Hopefully Alberta can turn this into a world class event, like Albertans are so good at doing.

EdmTrekker · #50 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 7:28 PM**

These are typically annual events. With our Government throwing in $7M on this race and $0 for the Indy...is it sustainable? I guess that discussion will come later after the race has left and the organizers and sponsors due their due diligence...and answer the question of "Value" for money.

Hallsy's Toupee · #51 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 7:36 PM**

If the race becomes an ongoing thing, I hope the last leg goes to Edmonton next year, and then alternate between Calgary and Edmonton for the subsequent years.

Airboy · #52 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 7:38 PM**

Sagan averaged 51 kph

Evans

Herjedal

Coldrsx · #53 Posted **Sep 4, 2013, 9:00 PM**

I am in the first, well arm and camera are.

This is the shot I wish we would have improved upon... had a company or 2 set up in those parking lots with a corporate or community event.

Airboy · #54 Posted **Sep 5, 2013, 9:45 PM**

Plan to get to Drumheller tomorrow for the Sprint and finish of the stage. Should be crazy if the rain that is forecast hits. Will be doing my own tour of the east side of the Province as I have an 8am meeting in Lloyd then head down to DH for the final of the Stage. Should be able to make it just in time for the first sprint.

Airboy · #55 Posted **Sep 9, 2013, 2:30 PM**

Couple of shots from Friday in Drumheller.
KOM

oiler-dude · #56 Posted **Sep 9, 2013, 3:28 PM**

Terry Jones mentioned on Twitter (not sure if this was knowledge, or just his musings though) that he expects next years Tour to start in Calgary and finish in Edmonton, plus incorporate the Rockies. Sure hope he's right!

Hallsy's Toupee · #57 Posted **Sep 9, 2013, 4:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by oiler-dude

Terry Jones mentioned on Twitter (not sure if this was knowledge, or just his musings though) that he expects next years Tour to start in Calgary and finish in Edmonton, plus incorporate the Rockies. Sure hope he's right!

According to Terry Jones, attendence was disappointing:
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2013/09/0...reasons-not-to

Airboy · #58 Posted **Sep 9, 2013, 4:18 PM**

Expect it to shift year to year. As for attendence, I was talking with a couple of officials in Drummheller. They did nt appear to be concerned as this was the first year. The US Pro Tour was small the first year as well. Plus if the mountain are back in next year expect to see more people. There is a lot of education that happened this year. So Expect more people.

Coldrsx · #59 Posted **Apr 1, 2014, 8:44 PM**

Sept 2-7, 2014

http://www.tourofalberta.ca

lubicon · #60 Posted **Apr 2, 2014, 6:22 PM**

Good to see. Let's hope they reverse the order this year - with the start in Calgary and the finish in Edmonton. Alternate every year.