January 14, 2014 (Toronto, ON) – We are pleased to announce the winners of Pedal’s 2013 Cycling Awards for Canada’s best Race Events, Places to Ride, Bike Shops, Cycling Cafes and Best Canadian Cycling Moments as voted by you our readers. There were so many votes that it took us much longer than anticipated to tally things up but we’re sure you’ll agree it was worth the wait.

In the category of Best Canadian Race Events, Local Ride’s 7th annual Pumpkin Cross cyclo-cross race took top honours over some heavy hitters. The popular Maple Ridge, BC event is known for its festival atmosphere and crazy costume contest, as riders and spectators take the Halloween theme to heart. The event drew hundreds of participants from beginner to elite riders for record-setting registration numbers. There was a four-way tie for second place between the Tour of Alberta, MTB XC Nationals in Ontario by Pulse Racing, the Robert Cameron Law Series, and Local Ride’s Race the Ridge.

“We are thrilled that Pumpkin Cross was voted the most popular event in Pedal’s 2013 Awards. We’ve worked hard to make it more than just a race, it’s an event that draws first-timers as well as top racers. Our goal is to engage the entire community and introduce cycling to a broader spectrum of the population. Next year will be even bigger and better,” said race organizer Barry Lyster.

The Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada, Squamish, BC, won the Best Places to Ride title. Squamish is known for its amazing mountain bike trails and many popular events, including the legendary Test of Metal.

Road cycling Mecca, Victoria, BC, finished second followed by a four-way tie for third between London, Ontario’s Forest City Velodrome, Valle Bras du Nord in Saint-Raymond, QC, Fernie, BC, and Rossland, BC.

Russ Hays Bike Shop in Victoria, BC scored the most votes in the Best Bike Shop category followed by a two-way tie for second spot between Lyster’s Maple Ridge, BC store, Local Ride Bike Shop, and Bike Bros in Cochrane, AB. In third was Cafe Roubaix Cycles, also in Cochrane, AB, and recently in the news because of a dispute with global bicycle manufacturer, Specialized, that was resolved by a visit from company founder Mike Sinyard himself. Read more here.

Russ Hay’s The Bicycle Shop began in 1959 and owner Martin Clermont commented, “We are thrilled and humbled that folks made that extra effort to vote for us. It does feel good to know that people are psyched with the shop and what we do.”

Cafe Domestique in Dundas, ON won the prestigious Best Cycling Cafe designation, while Vancouver, BC’s Musette Cafe placed second with the 2% Jazz cafe in Victoria, BC landing in third spot.

“While I’ve always thought we were the best bike-café on Millers Lane in Dundas, it’s nice to be recognized farther afield. Thank god nobody had to look at our books for this award ’cause we might have ended up dead last. Congrats to Thomas at Musette and 2% Jazz as well,” commented owner Krys Hines.

One of the most unique categories, the Best Canadian Cycling Moment, is a true indicator of what achievement or effort Canadian cycling fans are most proud of. In 2013, it came down to a tie between Svein Tuft’s heroic effort in Stage 4 of the Tour de France, in which he helped his Orica GreenEdge squad win the prestigious team time trial.

Tuft also won the Best Overall Cyclist (Male or Female), Best Overall Senior/U23 Female Cyclist (Male or Female), and Best Road Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female) awards in the Pedal Magazine’s 2013 Cycling Awards announced on January 1, 2014. Read more here.

Fittingly, roadie Tuft tied with DH mountain biker Steve Smith, who won the overall men’s World Cup title with a win at the final in Leogang, Austria, demonstrating that Canadians love their dirt as much as they value their asphalt. Smith also won the award for Best MTB DH Senior Cyclist (Male or Female).

Honourable mentions in the category go to David Veilleux’s Stage 1 win in the Critérium du Dauphiné, France. Veilleux announced his retirement this past fall after a very successful road cycling career. We wish him the best of luck and thank him for making Canadians proud through his many achievements.

Curtis Dearden from Victoria, BC also receives an honourable mention for his stunning victory in the Elite Men’s TT at the Canadian Road Championships for his first National title.

Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to our readers for taking an active role in honouring Canada’s vibrant cycling culture. We are confident that our people’s choice awards component will see even more participation in future editions.

Best Race Events
1. Pumpkin Cross – Maple Ridge, BC
2. Tour of Alberta – Edmonton, AB
2. MTB XC Nationals – Barrie, ON
2. Robert Cameron Law Series – Victoria, BC
2. Race the Ridge – Maple Ridge, BC

Places to Ride
1. Squamish, BC
2. Victoria, BC
3. Forest City Velodrome – London, ON
3. Valle Bras du Nord – Saint-Raymond, QC
3. Fernie, BC
3. Rossland, BC

Bike Shops
1. Russ Hays – Victoria, BC
2. Local Ride – Maple Ridge, BC
2. Bike Bros – Cochrane, AB
3. Cafe Roubaix- Cochrane, AB

Cycling Cafes
1. Cafe Domestique – Dundas, ON
2. Musette Cafe – Vancouver, BC
3. 2% Jazz – Victoria, BC

Best Canadian Cycling Moment
1. Svein Tuft 1st Stage 4 (TTT) Tour de France – tie
1. Steve Smith winning the World Cup – Leogang 2013 – tie
2. David Veilleux 1st Stage 1 Critérium du Dauphiné, Switzerland   honourable mention
3. Curtis Dearden’s Elite Men’s TT victory at the Canadian Road nationals    honourable mention