Many cyclists will pass through the MRC des Appalaches for the 28th Grand Tour organized by Vélo Québec Voyages. This will be the fourth presence in the region since inception.

Between August 6 and 12, participants will travel a loop route starting from Saint-Croix. They would move to Saint-Agapit, then on to Thetford Mines in Victoriaville, and finally back to the starting point.

Cycling enthusiasts will arrive in Segep de Thetford on Monday 8 August, where a village has been specially set up to welcome them. They will travel on the roads of the region on Tuesday. They can choose to travel up to 33, 50, 82, 95, 109 or 122 km. Mechanical supervision and lunch will be provided.

“This is an event originally created to celebrate and develop cycling tourism in the province. The first edition left Montreal and went to Tadoussac and Sherbrooke. Today consists of a seven-day adventure where people will cover 80 to 140 kilometers depending on what they choose. Everything takes place in a festive atmosphere. It’s not a competition,” Jean-Francois Riault, president and general manager of Velo Quebec Voyages, explained to Courier Frontenac.

Note that approximately 1100 cyclists are expected this year. According to Mr Rouault, their presence will not affect road traffic. “The interactions are very small in the sense that a thousand cyclists don’t take up that much space. There will be no street closures. It’s really symbiotic. For those who want to ride, we generally use scenic routes where the secondary roads are well paved. »

Route taken in the region

August 8: Saint-Agapit, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Agathe-de-Lotbinier, Lister, Inverness, Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds, Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saint-Clotilde-de- Beauce, Saint-Efrem-de-Beauce, Adstock, Thetford Mines (88, 108, 120, 140 km).

August 9: Loop Day from Thetford Mines. Route via Adstock, Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine, Disraeli, Saint-Julien, Ireland, Saint-Adrien-d’Irlande (33, 50, 82, 95, 109, 122 km).

August 10: Thetford Mines, St-Jean-de-Brebeuf, Kinnear Mills, Inverness, St-Adrian-of-Ireland, Ireland, St-Ferdinand, St-Sophie-de-Halifax, St-Pierre-Baptiste, Princeville -Norbert- d’Arthabaska, Victoriaville (77, 88, 97, 108 km).