February 18, 2007 (Montreal, QC) — The fifth annual Bicycle and Cyclotourism Show Expodium wound down this afternoon at Place Bonaventure. Jan Dubé, president of Expodium International (which organized the event) told Pedal that, “we expect to hit between 17,000 and 18,000 visitors over the three-day event. This means that 2007 will either be our biggest or second biggest show ever. And we believe that this is one of the best consumer shows in Canada. There is a tremendous variety of products offered and of exhibitors.”

The show website (www.expodium.ca) lists 177 exhibitors, including bicycle and accessory manufacturers and distributors, retail shops, bike clubs, charities, tour operators, and tourist associations. While direct sales of most products were prohibited at the show, exhibitors were able to show off their newest products and show visitors could ask all the questions they want. “It’s better for the bicycle retailers if our visitors then go to retail stores to make purchases and become real customers,” explained Dubé.

Some of the more interesting products on the floor included folding bicycles (that can easily be carried on subways or busses), bicycle vacations to the Grand Canyon and to Martinique, and a human-powered submarine that can attain 14 kmh (the world record for this type of vessel).

Apart from usual show kiosks, visitors could also try out recumbent or folding bicycles on a special track or take in a fashion show, or watch bicycle stunts.

Among the big names at the show was Canada’s most acclaimed cyclist, Steve Bauer – a veteran of 11 Tour de Frances placing fourth overall in 1988 — who trotted down the runway to demonstrate “now and then” cycling clothing. Bauer also spoke to the crowd in French. Kiara Bisaro, who finished 14th in the MTB cross-country race at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and is a hopeful for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and also strutted down the runway to show off biking clothing.

But the largest crowd was drawn by Ryan Leech’s “cool” bike demonstrations where he notably jumped five volunteers lying prostrate on the floor and performed numerous other incredible, gravity-defying tricks. Leech, from B.C. assured the volunteers stretched on the ground, “There’s no danger, because I’m wearing a helmet!”

One big name that was absent from the show was Louis Garneau, the former Olympic cyclist and president of Louis Garneau Sports. Garneau stayed in Quebec City this weekend to be close to the family of Alexandre Morin. As reported previously, Morin””a promising 16-year-old cyclist””disappeared Wednesday and was found dead on Saturday.