Spectator Guide

The best specatator opportunities are on Saturday and Sunday located within the Town of Banff. There are only limited opportunities for events on Thursday and Friday. See our list of best viewing points below.
So park your car, grab your friends, pack a snack, and head off to your best choice. Remember to take your litter with you and dispose of it in proper garbage or recycling containers after the race.

Best Viewing Points

Surprise Corner Prologue
Thursday, June 17
Buffalo St & Tunnel Mountain Dr.
Limited spectator opportunities

1A Sprint
Friday, June 18
Lake Louise
1. Start – Lake Louise Recreation Centre
2. Castle Mountain Junction
3. Corral Creek Picnic Area (approximately 1km before the finish line)

Individual Time Trial
Saturday, June 19
Town of Banff / Minnewanka Loop Road
1. Start / Finish - Husky Gas Station, Banff Avenue
2. Two Jack Lake Day Use Area
3. Lake Minnewanka Day Use Area

Criterium
Saturday, June 19
Town of Banff
1. Start / Finish - 200 block Banff Avenue
2. Wolf Street
3. Bear Street
4. Caribou Street

Tunnel Mountain Road Race
Sunday, June 20
Town of Banff
1. Start/Finish – Beaver St
2. Corner of Banff Ave & Tunnel Mtn Rd – Rocky Mountain Resort
3. Corner of Tunnel Mtn Rd & Tunnel Mtn Dr – Buffalo Mountain Lodge
4. Surprise Corner – corner of Buffalo St and Tunnel Mtn Dr
5. Cemetery – Buffalo St

Within the Town of Banff the best way to get to these points is to walk or bicycle as there will be traffic delays during the race and it helps alleviate some of the congestion and is safer for the riders.

**Please park in designated areas as there is no off-road parking allowed**

Race Etiquette

For spectators, the athletes in bicycle races are close enough to touch but don’t touch them as they may be penalized. Remember to keep a close eye on children and leashes on the dogs; actually dogs probably prefer the comforts of home as opposed to hot asphalt on their toes.

Did you know?

Historically, going to a bike race has been primarily a social event for the spectator and a chance for the local community to show the pride they have in their community. Arguably the world’s best cycling fans are the Italian “Tifosi”, who even have a Patron Saint of Cycling:

As the story spread, the Madonna del Ghisallo became known as patroness of local travellers. In more recent times, cyclists would often stop to rest and pray at the chapel, which is a local landmark, and is at the top of a steep hill. After World War II, Father Ermelindo Vigano, pastor at the shrine, proposed Ghisallo as the site of an Italian shrine for bicyclists, and she was given as patroness of cyclists on 13 October 1949 by Pope Pius XII. The chapel has become part religious shrine, part cycling museum, with artifacts and photos from the sport. There is an eternal flame that burns there in memory of the cyclists of are no longer with us, and services each Christmas Eve and the Feast of All Souls commemorate them.

So please come out, enjoy the races, meet the racers, relax in the day and let the racers “suffer like the dogs” as cycling commentator Phil Liggett like to say.