Tour de l'Ile, Montreal
- CAB
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Do you love the great outdoors? If you enjoy exercising and own a bicycle, "Le Tour de l'Ile de Montreal" might be something you'd like to experience. During this event, cyclists take over the car-free streets.
The Tour de l'Île de Montréal is a distinctive cycling event that allows participants to explore the city on car-free streets. It typically offers routes ranging from 18 mile to 31 miles, enabling riders to enjoy the city's neighborhoods at their own pace. In recent years, the event drew more than 40 000 participants, making it the largest cycling event in Montreal. Although most participants are from the Montreal area, I observed that some came from other towns or even from abroad.
Cyclists can choose from various routes, including a Discovery route for longer distances, and enjoy entertainment, food trucks, and a music stage along the way. The event is part of the Festival Go Vélo Montréal, which features activities like Tour la Nuit and various routes for different skill levels. This event not only promotes cycling culture but also encourages community spirit among participants of all ages and skill levels.
Families, club riders, and newcomers share the same paths. They move at a human pace, wave to fans, and explore new parts of the island. This mix is why the event keeps growing.
On June 1, 2025, Le Tour de l'Ile marks its 40th anniversary, an event I was eager to attend. I visited Velo Quebec's website www.velo.qc.ca to sign up. There, I could purchase my ticket as early as February for CA$ 40 ($29.50) instead of the regular price of CA$56. I also had the chance to choose my departure time. (Departures are staggered between 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. Upon registration, you can select from three time slots: 8:45 to 9:30, 9:30 to 10:15, 10:15 to 10:45). It's important to adhere to your chosen departure time to ensure the schedule runs smoothly.
For 40 years, the Tour de l’île has grown from 3,000 cyclists to nearly 40,000 this year. It turns city streets into a festival of wheels. This event is part of Festival Go Vélo Montréal, making the city a bike playground for a week. The growth shows how far the city has come, from a local event to a major highlight
If you're planning to participate in the long ride, ensure you bring water and some snacks. On the day of the ride, if you drive your car there, aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure time. This will give you enough time to first of all find a parking space and then, check in and prepare without feeling rushed. Wearing a helmet is mandatory. Also, remember that it might be cool in the morning, so dress appropriately. This event is not a race; the aim is not to finish first. It's an activity the whole family can enjoy. It doesn't matter if you don't have the best bicycle or the priciest outfit; it is really a judgement free event. From my experience, I witnessed thousands of individuals who came for a single reason: the joy of riding.
It was wonderful to see many volunteers throughout the day. They had various roles: some were mechanics assisting those with flat tires or chain issues, while others were stationed along the road handing out milk or water to cyclists. Along the route, I also noticed designated rest areas where participants could take a break. These rest areas are actually parks. Take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the day.
A highlight of the day was when we paused for a delicious snack.
If you believe you will enjoy this ride, prepare yourself because it is set for May 31, 2026. Perhaps I'll see you there. In the meantime, enjoy your ride and stay safe and healthy!
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