English language version of a rider's pass.

Our home in Montreal

The weather reports called for rain or, at best, scattered, intermittent showers, which prompted me to forego my usual small-wheeled, folding bicycle in favor of the Trek 720 hybrid (with the fenders). I had nearly forgotten what a nice ride it has always given me. Here it is, pre-ride, sitting comfortably in the turret of what turned out to be the best room in Le Hotel de Paris, Montreal, Quebec. (Do NOT show this photo to the owner of the hotel!)

...up early...The "stick" of riders from our group was coming past the hotel at 8:15 and I wanted to just jump in line as they passed.

Alex Escalera (in saffron shirt) and Nadette Stasa (red pinwheels in her helmet) get a few minutes respite from the bright sun as the crowd advances down the boulevard to the start line chutes.

Cyclist, dressed as a lawn, flees in mock terror from a lawnmower (barely visible at the right). There were one of these tour characters on every block from avenue de Lorimier to the starting line. They really made a terrific effort to entertain the 40,000+ riders for this event. Thank you Montreal!

The participants cover the boulevard Saint Joseph from curb to curb as far as the eye can see as they steadily advance towards the chutes....The character in bright green is "The Lawn", pedaling away at top speed from the lawnmower that is nipping at his heels!

On the brightly sunlit boulevard Saint Joseph...Hannah Borgeson in blue (and SPF 30) enjoying the pre-start entertainment as the group moves up to the start "funnel"

At the right of the frame, Nadette Stasa and "the other Glenn" (from the train) pose for the camera. The bonhomie took over early and never waned throughout the day. Even the Weatherman came through with blue skies and sunshine!

Hannah Borgeson snapped this, and by her slightly sly grin as she returned the camera to me, I should have guessed that something was "up". ... In the background, over my left shoulder, with the pinwheels on her helmet...it's Nadette Stasa with the big smile! OK you got me!

Trudy Hutter (in yellow), Steve Klein (in green & white wool jersey) and Hannah Borgeson (in blue) look on as one of the tour characters, dressed as a policeman (complete with badge and nightstick) inspects bicycles and keeps the crowd in line.

A stone-faced, "tour character" cop stares down the crowd in the staging area. Like their real life counterparts, the Montreal police, these stone-face enforcers carry no guns.

Lady cop tour character "isn't having any of it" from the crowd. She has a night stick and she means business!(2003 Tour de L'lle)

Steve Klein and Trudy Hutter scan the crowd for the last member of our group, as the participants approach the finish line coming into Parc Laurier and the end-of-ride festival.

Trudy Hutter and your humble gallery owner enjoy the shade as we wait for the last of the group to cross the finish line

Notice the typical steps (to the second floor apartments) that predominate in that section of Montreal...

One of the two inflatable cans that straddled the finish line at the entrance to Parc Laurier.

Parc Laurier, south lawn...

John Chiarella in Montreal's Parc Laurier at the end of "Le Tour de L'lle", 2003

This "Tour character" with his Popeye calves, feather duster seat, and high-pitched voice complained, woefully (and in two languages), that he anticipated an extraordinarily arduous journey riding the 200 KM back to Ottawa with that particular appurtenance being substituted for his stolen bicycle seat.

...at the finish line festival in Parc Laurier

http://www.bikesummer.org/2003/