July 16, 2013 (Vancouver, BC) – When Coquitlam cyclist Alex Stieda pulled on the leader’s yellow jersey at the 1986 Tour de  France it was a moment of great pride for sports fans in the province, and none more so than Kevin Corkum, owner of Vancouver-based bike shop Bicicletta.

Stieda was a rookie rider on the Tour, part of the American-based 7-Eleven team that was  making its first Tour appearance, and on July 5 that year he slipped away from most of the European peloton to drive a breakaway to victory on the first official road stage.

Even though he was not the stage winner, his handful of seconds time advantage over the main contenders was enough to take the overall race lead, making him the first Canadian – and North American – to wear the leader’s maillot jaune.

It has become an iconic victory and this month, in recognition of Stieda’s achievement and to  coincide with the current edition of the Tour de France, Bicicletta has released a limited  edition t-shirt that not only encourages locals to be motivated by a gutsy victory that made B.C. proud, but also gives back to the cycling community.

“I’ve been inspired by the story,” says Bicicletta owner and manager Kevin Corkum. “The t-shirt shares that inspiration – as well as celebrating a historic moment for B.C. cycling.”

The text on the shirt is Stieda’s own words in describing his escapade at the 1986 Tour: Maybe I could pretend to go up the road and take a pee. So I sorta noodled up the side of the  road, kinda got, you know a few hundred meters ahead. The road was really twisty and turny out of Paris and I looked back and they couldn’t see me for a second and I just throttled it man. Just put in 12 out of the saddle. Just went as hard as I could. I was inside out. But within 10 minutes I was out of sight, out of mind.

“I think we can all relate to that idea,” explains Corkum. “Of just going for it as hard as you can, of turning yourself inside out to achieve your goals. Even if we’re not riding the Tour, there’s a great story and an inspiring message that I wanted to get out there with this t- shirt.”

Just as Stieda helped boost recognition for cycling in B.C. and in Canada, the t-shirt hopes to encourage its development with $5 of each shirt purchased being donated to Cycling B.C.’s Youth Development initiative – helping young riders develop valuable bike handling skills,  become more active, and ultimately race competitively.

“It was also the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ idea that really grabbed me,” says Corkum. “Not  just the fantasy of riding away from the rest of the pack – something most of us cyclists can only dream about – but maybe that we’re a little like that in general out here on the West  Coast.”

B.C. has certainly not been out of mind recently as it has been a banner year for local cyclists. Of the three Canadians at this year’s Tour de France, two – Ryder Hesjedal and Svein Tuft – are from B.C. One of Tuft’s teammates, Christian Meier, also hails from here and has recently been back in the Lower Mainland for B.C. Superweek, the showcase racing series for  local talent as well as international racers.

“The Tour de France is the pinnacle,” explains Corkum. “Having riders like Ryder and Svein there is incredible. They’re adding to the rich cycling heritage here in B.C. and Stieda was one of the original pioneers.”

B.C. also boasts the current men’s Canadian national time trial champion, as well as the road  race champion, Zach Bell, who has also been racing at B.C. Superweek. Local women professionals, like Gillian Carlton, an Olympic medallist, have been here as well for the Superweek races.

“We have a strong and growing cycling community here,” says Corkum. “Supporting young up-and-coming riders is important. I’d like to help inspire all local cyclists to join and support that community.”

Bicicletta Pro Shop, on West Broadway in Vancouver, has been a stalwart on the local cycling scene for many years and Kevin Corkum continues to build a riding community around the store since he took ownership seven years ago.

Alex Stieda raced for Canada’s national cycling team from 1979 until 1992, the last seven  years as a professional. He won a bronze medal at the 1982 Commonwealth games and represented Canada at the 1984 Olympics. The 1986 Tour is his most well known achievement – followed by his wins in Vancouver’s own Gastown Grand Prix in 1980 and  1984.

Read Alex Stieda’s column called Sportif Stieda in each issue of Pedal Magazine.