Connections to Riel in St. Vital Bike Tour

Bike Winnipeg

Denis De Pape shares the history of Louis Riel as we follow one of the city’s most scenic rides along the Seine and Red Rivers.

John Bruce Bridge at end of John Bruce Road West in South St. Vital. John Bruce Road is across from the St. Vital Arena on St. Anne’s Road south of Bishop Grandin.

Few people think about St. Vital as a place that is connected in many ways to Louis Riel. The idea behind the tour is to create a greater awareness of the important role St. Vital played in Louis Riel’s life and introduce the many connections to Riel and his immediate family that exist in St. Vital. It has been a journey of discover, often on my bicycle, for me to learn about these connections and I am hoping to convey insights that I have acquired to others. The tour consists of nine sites near the Seine River between Bishop Grandin and John Bruce Road, and 4 sites away from the Seine River including Riel House National Historic Sites. Because of the long distance between some of the sites, we decided to offer a bike tour as a walking tour would take too long. Why so many connections to Riel in St. Vital?What few people realize is that Louis Riel spent a significant portion of his youth living in St. Vital. His parents moved to St. Vital from St. Boniface in 1852 when he was 7 years old. He lived on the banks of the Seine River in St. Vital with his parents for seven formative years from age 7 to 14. At age 14 he went to Montreal on a scholarship to attend a seminary where he trained to be a priest and received a classic upper school education. He returned to Manitoba in 1866 rejoining his family in St. Vital. While he was leading the Red River Resistance in 1869/70, he continued to live with his family near the Seine River in St.Vital.His parents continued living in St. Vital for the remainder of their lives, Many of his 10 brothers and sisters settled down in St. Vital, As we will discover on this tour, the St. Vital connections to Riel involve not only Louis but also his parents and other family membersThe values, beliefs, and leadership qualities that Louis exhibited in his later years were acquired during his youth, from his parents, his Catholic religion and the Franco / Metis culture he belonged to. On this bike tour, participants will discover how St. Vital played an important role in Riel’s life and how the community has embraced him as their favourite son and the Riel family as their favourite family. You will visit: <ul><li>where Riel lived with his family for much of his youth, </li><li>where the Riel family river property was located </li><li>where his father and uncle operated at carding and grist mill on the Seine River</li><li>where Riel lived while he was leading the Red River Resistance </li><li>where the Riel’s body was returned to after he was hanged in Regina in 1885, and he lay in state for two days with hundreds of people coming by to pay their respects</li><li>public buildings, streets, parks, housing developments and monuments named for or dedicated to Louis Riel, his father and his mother</li></ul>As well, participants will<ul><li>see how St. Vital Centre is located right in the middle of what was once the Riel family river lot property </li><li>learn about Riel’s parent, Louis Sr. and Julie Lagimodiere and how they influenced his aspirations, beliefs and commitment to the Metis people, French language and Catholic religion their respects.learn about Riel’s French Canadian and indigenous ancestry</li><li>learn about Louis Riel’s three coffins </li></ul>We will visit 12 or 13 sites on this tour. Near Seine River<ul><li>Louis Riel Senior Trail</li><li>Riel Family Home Site (2nd Bollard on Trail)</li><li>Richfield Street ( Riel Family River Lot)</li><li>Chateau Louis Riel</li><li>Riel Sr. Mill Site</li><li>Riel Sr. Mill Stones former site</li><li>Louis Riel Recreational Park</li><li>Riel Memorial Monument (2 white doves)</li><li>Riel Estates</li></ul>Away from Seine River<ul><li>Ecole Julie Riel School</li><li>Louis Riel Library</li><li>Riel Street</li><li>Riel House National Historic Site </li></ul>

<ul><li>Requirements:</li></ul><ul><li>Supply your own bike, no rentals or loaners available. Fill tires with air before coming. Check brakes and gears. </li><li>Should be a confident bike rider, we will be traveling on some slow traffic streets </li><li>Bring your own water.</li><li>Entirety of route is on flat land, no hills.</li></ul>Ending Location: Tour ends at Riel House National Historical site on River Road. Participants who parked at John Bruce Bridge will be lead back there.Duration: 2.5 to 3.0 hours for bike tour.Parking Available: Free public parking is available in a parking circle next the bridge and on the nearby street.Rain: If raining heavily, tour will be cancelled. If raining lightly, tour will go ahead

COVID-19 Precautions To help ensure the safety of our ride participants, volunteers, and staff, we will be asking everyone to maintain a 2m distance between each other at stops and while riding. Sites have been selected to ensure space for social distancing, and we have limited ride sizes. If you are experiencing any symptoms, we ask that you please stay home. We will be more than happy to provide a refund. Finally, please note that we are not requesting the mandatory use of masks during our rides.

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