October is here, which means crisp air and cozy sweaters.
It also means drivers may have to be a little more patient this weekend with the return of one of Victoria’s most popular cycling events.
The 10th annual Tour de Victoria kicks into action this weekend, giving cyclists of all skill levels the opportunity to take a ride on one of eight routes in and around Greater Victoria.
The event is returning for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic.
“It is so exciting, and such a relief, to finally be able to celebrate our 10th annual event with our riding community after having to postpone the ride in August 2020,” said Tour Director, Seamus McGrath.
“We have worked carefully with the Provincial Health Organization on it’s guidelines, have made a lot of adjustments for this year, but thanks to incredible support from the municipalities, police, sponsors, suppliers and volunteers, we will still be providing a safe and amazing atmosphere for everyone.”
Over 2,000 cyclists take part in the event each year, closing roads across the Greater Victoria area. Road signage and police will be in place to guide pedestrians and drivers when necessary.
The first ride starts in downtown Victoria at 7:30 a.m., travels 160km around the region and ends downtown at 5:00 p.m.
Police will assist with minimizing traffic disruptions and ensure those participating in the races are safe.
A detailed road map can be found here.
Road closures on Saturday, October 2nd:
- Belleville Street will be closed from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Government and Quebec streets.
- Government Street between Superior Street and Humbolt and Wharf streets will be closed in 20 minute intervals between 7:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.
- Belleville Street will also be closed between the entrance to the Coho Ferry dock and Pendray Street from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
- Dallas Road is closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Camus Circle in Beacon Hill Park is closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Traffic overview and timing of the route:
Victoria: Between 7:20 am – 7:40 am and 9:20 am – 9:45 am Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Belleville St, Government St, Wharf St, Johnson St & Johnson Bridge
Esquimalt: Between 7:30 am – 7:55 am and 9:30 am – 10:00 am Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Esquimalt Rd, Harbour Rd, Tyee Rd, Skinner St, Craigflower Rd.
View Royal: Between 7:35 am – 7:55 am and 9:40 am – 10:10 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Island Hwy and Old Island Hwy.
Colwood: Between 7:45 am – 8:40 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Ocean Blvd, Lagoon Rd, Metchosin Rd.
Metchosin: Between 7:55 am – 10:00 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Metchosin Rd, Duke Rd, William Head Rd, Lombard Dr, Rocky Point Rd, East Sooke Rd, Kangaroo Rd, Liberty Dr, Lindholm Rd, Happy Valley Rd.
Sooke: Between 8:10 am – 9:35 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Rocky Point Rd, East Sooke Rd, Gillespie Rd.
Langford – Between 8:25 am – 10:10 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Happy Valley Rd, Glen Lake Rd, Langford Pkwy, Jacklin Rd, Goldstream Ave, Atkins Ave.
View Royal: Between 8:40 am – 10:30 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Atkins Ave and Burnside Rd W.
Saanich: 8:45 am – 11:00 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Burnside RdW, Prospect Lake Rd, and Munn Rd.
Highlands: 8:55 am – 11:30 am.
Munn Rd: Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on.
Millstream Lake Rd and Ross Durrance Rd (between Munn Rd and Willis Point Rd.): Northbound traffic only. This is THE SAME DIRECTION as their cyclists.
Willis Point Rd: Two-Way Traffic will be permitted on Willis Point Rd controlled by Traffic Control personnel to allow residents from Millstream Rd and Willis Point Rd to exit to Wallace Dr
Saanich: 9:15 am – 11:45 am. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Wallace Dr. (Two-Way Traffic will be permitted on Willis Point Rd controlled by Traffic Control personnel to allow residents from Millstream Rd and Willis Point Rd to exit to Wallace Dr)
Central Saanich: 9:25 am – 12:00 pm. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on Wallace Dr, Garden Gate Dr, Benvenuto Ave, West Saanich Rd, and Old West Saanich Rd. (Two-way traffic will be permitted on West Saanich Rd)
Saanich (West of Bay Pay Hwy #17): 9:30 am – 2:30 pm. Vehicle traffic permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on with two-way traffic allowed on West Saanich Rd when needed. Cyclists travel on Old West Saanich Rd, Spartan Rd, Prospect Lake Rd, Burnside Rd, Charlton Rd, Granville Ave, Hastings St, North Rd, Hector Rd, Conway Rd, Quayle Rd, Beaver Lake Rd, West Saanich Rd, Old West Saanich Rd, Oldfield Rd, Brookleigh Rd and Hamsterly Rd.
Interurban Rd: Two-Way Traffic will be permitted on Interurban Rd controlled by Traffic Control Personnel cars are not allowed to pass cyclists. Cyclists take the lane.
Doyle Rd, Forest Hill Rd, Elkwood Rd: Northbound traffic only. This is the same direction as their cyclists.
Saanich: Pat Bay Hwy #17 and Sayward Rd: 10:00 am – 2:50 pm. The intersection will be controlled by Traffic Control Personnel. Traffic will still be able to travel the Pat Bay Highway both northbound and southbound, but please expect some delays. Eastbound traffic on Sayward Rd will be closed on both sides of the Pat Bay Hwy.
Saanich (East of Pat Bay Hwy #17): 10:00 am – 3:10 pm. Vehicle traffic is permitted in the opposite direction our cyclists will be travelling on. Cyclists travel on Sayward Ave, Cordova Bay Rd, Ash Rd, Grandview Dr, Ferndale Rd, Gordon Head Rd, Arbutus Rd, Queenswood Dr, Telegraph Bay Rd, Cadboro Bay Rd. Please note that Cadboro Bay Rd, between Sinclair Rd and Beach Drive will allow two-way traffic where needed to relieve traffic build-up.
Oak Bay: 10:50 am – 3:50 pm. Full road closure on Beach Drive, and King George Terrace. However, residents of Beach Dr, King George Terrace and roads that can only be accessed through these roads will still have access to their homes. Traffic Control Personnel will allow residents to access their homes when there are breaks in the cyclists. Access to Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Oak Bay Marina, Oak Bay Beach Hotel and Victoria Golf Club will be controlled by Traffic Control Personnel.
Victoria: 11:10 am – 4:30 pm. Full road closures on Crescent Rd, Hollywood Cres, Dallas Rd and the waterfront perimeter of James Bay including Erie St, St Lawrence St, Kingston St, Montreal St, Quebec St, Pendray St, and Belleville St.
Any resident that lives on a waterfront road or road that can only be accessed by a waterfront road, will still have access to their homes. Traffic Control Personnel will allow residents to access their homes when there are breaks in the cyclists.
