The Tour de White Rock is a two-day series of professional cycling races. It takes place in the resort town of White Rock in mid-July.
Like other BC Superweek races that take place in Metro Vancouver during the summer, the 2022 Tour de White Rock was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It didn’t happen in 2023 either and likely won’t happen in 2024 as well, although this is to be confirmed.
Similar races in Delta, New Westminster and Port Coquitlam also pulled out of the BC Superweek series this past year. These other communities cancelled their races permanently. Whether the Tour de White Rock happens again in the future is to be determined. The Gastown Grand Prix is happening, though. Hopefully the Tour de White Rock makes a comeback in the near future.
This article contains the following information about the Tour de White Rock:
Tour de White Rock Races | Choices Markets Criterium | Peace Arch News Road Race | Event Advice | Other Information
The Tour de White Rock During BC Superweek
The White Rock cycling event happens on the weekend in mid-July. It features cycling races on each of the two days and both an afternoon kids’ parade and evening concert on the Saturday.
The Tour de White Rock used to be the last of the series of six major BC Superweek cycling races in Metro Vancouver each July. The other five races were the Tour de Delta, Gastown Grand Prix, Giro di Burnaby, New West Grand Prix and PoCo Grand Prix.
Tour de White Rock Races
In years when it does take place, the Tour de White Rock consists of two days of racing. The first features the Choices Markets Criterium on the Saturday and the second is the Peace Arch News Road Race on the Sunday.
In 2020 the event was going to take place on the weekend of July 18th to 19th. Due to COVID-19, however, the event wasn’t slated to happen again until at least mid-July in 2024, if at all (or maybe never).
Choices Markets Criterium
The Choices Markets Criterium used to take place on the Saturday with family-friendly activities running from around 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm. There was also a Kids’ Bike Parade around 3:00 pm, and a free concert starting at 8:00 pm. Times and details are to be confirmed, assuming this event happens in 2024.
The Choices Markets Criterium was an exciting race to watch as it featured a short 1 km circuit looping around the property of White Rock Elementary. This meant you got to see the cyclists racing by multiple times at speeds of up to 70 kms an hour in fairly quick succession.
The Choices Markets Criterium race route started at the corner of Johnston Road and Roper Avenue and then went through White Rock’s five corners intersection, past City Hall and around White Rock Elementary school. It was an exciting, fast-paced race.
Peace Arch News Road Race
In years when it takes place, the Peace Arch News Road Race happens on the Sunday. It’s considered one of the most prestigious cycling races on the continent. The Men’s Race starts at around 9:00 am and the Women’s Race begins almost immediately after, at 9:05 am.
Sunday’s races are longer than the races the day before, and there are fairly lengthy gaps between laps for spectators. The men’s course is 130 kms long and takes about three-and-a-half hours. It includes 11 long full laps and five shorter ones. The women’s course lasts about two-and-a-half hours and is 80 kms in length. It consists of eight long full laps. The start and finish lines for both races are on Marine Drive by the Pier.
Event Advice
Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your Tour de White Rock spectator experience.
TIP #1: Arrive early to improve your chances of finding parking anywhere even remotely near the waterfront. This is where the race starts and festivities take place. Also, take good walking shoes as you’ll still need to walk a fair ways.
TIP #2: If taking young kids, note that the Choices Markets Criterium on the Saturday is the more exciting and interesting race to watch. Not only is there more to see, but Saturday is also the day of the kids’ parade and other festivities.
TIP #3: Take your swimsuit, camera and sunscreen! The beach at White Rock is one of the region’s most beautiful. If you bring children along, take your sandcastle-building supplies. The sand at White Rock is amazing and at low tide it goes out for what seems like miles.
Other Information
To learn about other July cycling events in Metro Vancouver, see our article about BC Superweek.
For information about the resort town and things to do in the area, click White Rock.
For other major events in Metro Vancouver in July, as well as at other times of the year, see the Festivals & Events Calendar.
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