June 27, 2004 – Tour du Canada 2004 begins today, June 27, 2004. The year 2004 marks the 16th annual ride across Canada. This morning, 33 cyclists dipped their rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean at Vancouver’s spectacular Spanish Banks beach and began their voyage east. Riders will cycle 7,600 kilometres to St. John’s Newfoundland travelling through all ten Canadian provinces.

Last night the cyclists prepared their first group meal and support driver
Jason Vervoot got an indication of the volume of food he will be buying
during the summer. The truck is already stocked with hundreds of kilos of
pasta, peanut butter and other staples. In addition, it is expected that
Jason will purchase at least 30 loaves of bread a day and 5 cases of
bananas a week.

Here are some stats on the group:
– Number of riders: 33
– Age Range: 16 to 67

Number of Riders by Province or Country of origin
– British Columbia – 6
– Alberta – 2
– Ontario – 15
– Manitoba – 1
– Quebec – 3
– New Brunswick – 2
– Prince Edward Island – 1
– England – 1
– Scotland – 1
– Australia – 1

For information on Tour du Canada please visit: http://www.TourduCanada.com