A former Tour de France competitor says Jasper is capable of hosting world-class cycling events, and is calling for more organized races to be held in the park.

Alex Stieda, retired cyclist, olympian and commonwealth game medalist in the velodrome, has been travelling to Jasper for years to ride the mountains around Jasper. He wants to see the park host a cycling event, which he said could be a huge draw in the cycling community.

“There’s so much potential to create more of a draw,” Stieda said. “The roads to Edith Cavell or Marmot Basin compare to any climbs you’ll find in Europe.” 

Climbing Marmot Basin road is a challenge in itself, but even beginner riders can conquer it, Stieda said. Since the ski hill is there, the parking and infrastructure already exists, and professional time trials could be held and the results could be posted at local bike shops, and visitors could compete against those times.

“A mini Tour de France could be done as well,” he said. “There is a huge opportunity for Jasper to be explored in that way.” 

Stieda said the main difference between riding in Europe and North America is the grade of the roads. The cyclist raced in Europe and North America between 1977 and 1992, and competed in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where he finished 10th in the sprint. He also earned a Bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games and a bronze in the University games when he was a student at Simon Fraser University.

“The roads in North America were engineered for cars, while in Europe, they were engineered for horses,” he said.

Stieda also floated the idea of running a citizen’s event, or a ‘cyclesportive’ where the community can challenge themselves against a difficult course. He proposes cyclists start in Jasper and peddle to Athabasca Falls, hop on highway 93A, climb Edith Cavell Road to the top, fly down, cycle up Marmot Basin road, and then finish with a climb up Whistlers. Stieda completed this circuit in May, and said cyclists reach speeds of 80 km/hr coming down Marmot Basin road.

“That would be a really hard one day event ,” he said.

Stieda said he understands Parks Canada approval would be required for such an event, and said the area would be well served to attract more cyclists to town. 

“Jasper relies a lot on bus traffic, which is fine and great. But this would bring in another type of visitor to the park,” Stieda said.

He cites Banff’s Bikefest as an example of a well-planned cycling event in a national park, and notes that since road cycling has next to no environmental impact, it would be a natural fit. Chances for wildlife encounters are much less than mountain biking, he said.

“On the road, if you’re going up Cavell Road, you have a chance of encountering a bear. There are dangers, but what’s life about without a little danger. You have to take some risks,” Stieda said.

If such an event were held, Stieda said the local cycling clubs would need to get involved, as such races are huge undertakings.

“It would also be a great tourist draw for some activities,” he said.

Stieda isn’t the only cyclist to enjoy the Canadian Rockies, as Lance Armstrong hosts a race through the mountains each year as a fund raiser.