Back when there was a ferry connecting Fort Langley and Maple Ridge across the Fraser River, Harold Bridge would get on his bicycle and pedal from his home in Port Coquitlam to the ferry, to go riding in the area around the riverside community.
During a ride on Canada Day, 1999, an idea came to Bridge – an early member of the B.C. Randonneurs Cycling Club, which is devoted to long-distance cycling according to the rules of the Audax Club Parisien in France.
Why not a ride on the day celebrating Canada’s birthday, and why not set the distance at one kilometre for every year the country has existed?
Twenty-five years later, hundred of cyclists are expected to turn out for the 2024 Canada Day Populaire, with the longest route, 157 km, matching the country’s 157th birthday.
One of the volunteer organizers, Eric Fergusson, always thinks of Bridge when preparations are underway.
“He really loved Fort Langley,” said Fergusson, who wrote an account of the event’s origins on the www.randonneurs.bc.ca website and considers it a kind of memorial to Bridge, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 87.
“It is [a memorial] to me,” Fergusson commented.
Fergusson said it was thought that it would be a good distance for many recreational cyclists, including those not used to the normal distances of randonneur/marathon cycling (200-1200 km rides).
Organized by Bridge, the very first Canada Day Populaire was held one year later, on July 1, 2000, drawing about 70 riders who pedalled 133 km.
Over the years, as the country has grown older, the distance has increased.
A second less challenging route of 100 kilometres was introduced, and this year, a third, running 50 km, will be an option.
Last year, about 400 riders took part.
This year, entries have been capped at 450 registrants, and a new location, Richard Bulpitt Park on 77A Ave between 209 and 211 Streets has been chosen for the ride, which will begin and end at the park.
It will begin at 8 a.m. with two “waves” of riders leaving for the 157 km route at 8 and 8:15 a.m., and the 100 km starting at 8:30 a.m. and the 50 km start at 9:00 a.m.
Participants must pre-register at randonneurs.bc.ca.