Parkside Victoria Travel Blog

By Jessica Woollard

Ah, January... the month of fresh starts and fitness regiments. Like several million people around the world, I’m committed to staying in shape through to the end of 2012—after all, it might be the last chance I’ve got!

I’ve made this promise to myself in past years, along with eating more broccoli and buying fewer flavoured coffees; but while I still cringe at the sight of green flowers on my plate and give in, at least once a month, to the sweet aroma of a Caramel Brûlée Latté, I have found the key to sticking to a fitness plan: signing up for races.

Photo/Tony Austin

More than 11,000 people from 16 countries are registered to participate in GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon events on Sunday (Oct. 9).

Runners, local dignitaries and volunteers gathered at Frontrunners today (Oct. 7) to launch the 32nd annual marathon weekend, which also includes a 1/2 marathon, 8K race and Kids' Run. The group celebrated a few of the reasons we run here in Victoria.

For instance, World Champion rower and Victoria local Silken Laumann of the GoodLife Kids Foundation noted that part of what makes the marathon so special is that many people are running for personal bests and beyond.

By Bri Wilson

More than 11,000 people will lace up to run the 32^nd annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon (formerly the Royal Victoria Marathon) on Sunday (Oct. 9).

The race route starts in Victoria's Inner Harbour and follows scenic city streets through Oak Bay to the Uplands and back, with stunning ocean views to enjoy along the way.

Whether you're a Victoria resident or visitor, running your first 8K road race or a seasoned marathon runner hoping to set a new personal best, here are some tips to help you shine this weekend.

Fans, supporters, Tour de Victoria volunteers and fellow cyclists filled Parkside's atrium on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011 to welcome home Ryder Hesjedal, celebrate the success of the inaugural Tour de Victoria (which took place on May 28, 2011) and to support Ryder's Wheelmen/Wheelwomen Ride Bicycles initiative.

The night kicked off with a barbecue hosted by M&M Meat Shops and live music courtesy of the Casey Ryder Trio. Guests got to check out Ryder's ultralight bikes on display while footage of the 2011 Tour de Victoria and the Tour de France played on a big screen. Wheelmen/Wheelwoman T-shirts were also available for sale at the event, with the proceeds going to support young up-and-coming cyclists through Ryder's Wheelmen initiative.

It's the end of some long roads. Now it's time to party.

Both Ryder Hesjedal and his hometown fans have a lot to celebrate after the cycling star followed up a successful first edition of the Tour de Victoria with a top-20 finish at the Tour de France, helping his Garmin-Cervélo squad win the overall team title.

Riding towards a common goal will be a prevailing theme at Ryder's Welcome Home Shindig, which will be held as a fundraiser for the Wheelmen/Wheelwomen Ride Bicycles initiative and in honour of the more than 500 Tour de Victoria volunteers.

By Neil Judson

The Victoria International Cycling Festival started rubber side down with the roadie Tour de Victoria event and concluded with airborne flair last weekend (June 11 and 12).

Thousands of spectators flooded the Inner Harbour to watch some of the world's best freeride mountain bikers catch big air and pull off amazing tricks during the Jumpship Dirt Jump Invitational.

Hosted by the newly-formed Dockside Mountain Bike Society and taking place on a barge, the dirt jump competition was a first of its kind and encouraged spectators to get in the action with live music and Camp of Champions air bag sessions.

Canadian trials sensation John Webster also put on an impressive show, bounding and balancing through a precarious course of logs, stumps and large rubber tires.  

The dirt jump events included a Best Trick contest on Saturday and Sunday's main contest, where riders were judged on their complete run through the course.

Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa was proud to be the founding sponsor and headquarters of the inaugural Ryder Hesjedal's Tour de Victoria, which took place on May 28, 2011.

Over 1,200 cyclists of all levels and abilities took part in this event, riding either the 90km route, lead by Olympian Simon Whitfield, or the 140km route, lead by Tour de France 7th place finisher Ryder Hesjedal and "Captain Canuck" Trevor Linden.

Want to ride in the inaugural Ryder Hesjedal's Tour de Victoria this Saturday?

We've got one entry up for grabs!

Simply comment on this post and tell us where you love to ride your bike on Vancouver Island to enter to WIN free registration to either the 90km route, lead by Olympian Simon Whitfield and star mountain biker Andreas Hestler, or the 140km route, lead by local cycling phenom Ryder Hesjedal and 'Captain Canuck' Trevor Linden.

A random winner will be selected and contacted via email on Thursday, May 26th at 9 am.

Want to help Tour de France phenom Ryder Hesjedal and former Olympian Seamus McGrath host the Island's biggest cycling event?

As founding sponsor of Tour de Victoria, Parkside is helping put the call out for volunteers for this world-class event. 

Get on your bikes and ride!

Victoria will truly become the cycling capital of Canada from May 27 to June 12, 2011 for the first annual Victoria International Cycling Festival.

The Victoria International Cycling Festival (VICF) will celebrate everything cycling, from cycling-inspired art and films to family bike events and community rides.