The 100-kilometre Paris to Ancaster race began at the Paris Fairgrounds Sunday as a large number of the event’s 2,500 cyclists took to the starting line ready to battle all types of terrain.
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The cycling season started with a bang — literally — this weekend in Paris.
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As Jason Jones and James Braund of the McEwan’s Living History Association fired off U.S. Civil War-era muskets, the annual Paris to Ancaster race in support of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation got underway.
The 100-kilometre race began at the Paris Fairgrounds as a large number of the event’s 2,500 cyclists took to the starting line ready to battle all types of terrain. The field included folks from across Ontario and beyond — Olympians and national team members, as well as weekend warriors searching for a demanding physical test.
“This is one of the great bicycle races in all of North America,” said announcer Steve Fleck of Aurora. “It’s had over 2,000 riders, upwards of 3,000 riders a few years ago. The super cool thing is it’s a race and a ride for everyone — anyone can do this. We’ve had some of the best cyclists in Canada on the start line and we’ve had people who have been training all winter in their basement just to be here.
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“It really challenges riders,” Fleck continued. “The terrain, you have to deal with mud, you’ve got to deal with ruts, hills, and gravel.”
Anyone who took part in the 2023 version can attest. With multiple rainstorms hitting the region 24 months ago, the track turned into a muddy slog.
“The conditions, however they come, is all part of it,” said Simon Steele of Woodstock, who took part in the open division of the 100-km ride. “If it’s a mud bath, when it’s over you think ‘that was … fun’.”
Veteran riders have become used to difficult conditions, so much so that Sunday’s clear, sunny skies were a welcome change.
“I’ve been here for 10 years, and I’d have to go back probably before the pandemic for a year like this which is full sunshine and really nice,” said Fleck. “The last three have been wet.”
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“It’s way better than it has been,” added Nathan Andreola of Woodstock. “Every year I’ve done it, it’s always been raining and cold — sometimes snowing.”
The race is a family affair for Andreola and his father Ezio. The two began attending when Nathan was a youngster and, this year, they were ready to tackle the longest distance for the first time.
“We did the shortest race when I was seven years old,” said Andreola as he readied for the men’s open group to begin. “I’ve only done one training ride, so I don’t know how prepared I am, but it feels great to be here. Tons of people show up. You don’t really see races like this around — it’s probably the biggest one — so it’s nice to get out and see everyone out on a nice day.”
Paris to Ancaster is inspired by Paris to Roubaix, one of the most famous, longest running and most challenging races in the world. Known as Canada’s Spring Cycling Classic, Paris to Ancaster welcomes “the largest field of riders assembled in Canada” according to its webpage. Seeing competitors gather in Southwestern Ontario is a way to grow the sport, one that doesn’t get the respect it deserves nationally, said Fleck.
“Soccer is the No. 1 sport around the world, we know that, but in many, many countries — in Europe, South America, Southeast Asia — the No. 2 sport is cycling,” he said. “The professional riders . . . they’re like national sports heroes but, in Canada and the U.S., we don’t have an appreciation for how big cycling is outside of our countries, so it’s nice to see something like this come together.”
For results and times, search “Paris to Ancaster” at raceroster.com.
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