Bow Cycle prides its Tour de Bowness event – which has been pedaling strong for 16 years – for its ability to give amateur cyclists an avenue to compete.
“It’s stressful, fun, and enjoyable,” said Bob Grunewald, marketing co-ordinator at Bow Cycle who has been organizing the event for 11 years.
Every year, around 236 to 250 people register to compete in the weekend-long competition that is made up of three stages: A road race, hill climb and speed race.
Grunewald believes the history of the event has played a huge factor in helping amateur cyclists go on to compete at a professional level.
We are the richest race in Alberta,” Grunewald said of $20,000 purse.
One individual that specifically comes to his mind is Zachary Bell – a cyclist from Whitehorse – who went on to win the UCI Track Cycling World Cup – Omnium (2010-2011) and National Road Race Championship (2013).
Bell decided to compete in the Tour de Bowness race after he transitioned to cycling after an injury he sustained while on a wrestling scholarship at the University of Calgary.
“It was one of my first established races,” he said.
Grunewald takes the most joy in the fact many amateur racers keep returning to compete.
“It gives me a great sense of pride,” he said.
“It’s a very well-run weekend of racing,” Justin Siemens, a 45-year-old Calgarian resident who took up cycling five years ago. “They do an excellent job.”
Siemens said cycling was something he tried to keep himself challenged after a “mid-life crisis” – and he loved the “wow” factor he experienced when cycling.
In 2016, he joined Café Roubaix’s cycling team and the same year went on to place 24th in the speed race section of the Tour de Bowness.
In 2011, the race was combined with a historical festival, which added another layer of excitement for competitors and their families.
The Bowness Heritage Street Festival, which celebrated Bowness’s 100th birthday, happened to fall on the same day of the race in 2011.
Due to the success the race and festival had that year, the two organizations decided to join forces and festival was renamed the Tour de Bowness.
“The original intention was because Bowness was turning the big 100,” said Jackie Esler, the executive director of BIA (Business Improvement Area) and organizer of festival since last year.
“It’s great because what I’ve noticed is that some families are more interested in the festival and not the race while some families are more interest in the race than the festival,” Esler said with a laugh. “Everyone can find something to do.”
