About the Tour:

The driving force behind Manitoba joining Confederation in 1870 as Canada’s fifth province, Louis Riel is a giant in Manitoba history, its best known political figure and one of the most controversial people in Canadian history.

When people think about Riel’s connection to Manitoba, the first place one thinks about is St. Boniface where he was born and is buried, or perhaps Upper Fort Garry in Winnipeg where many of the key events of the Red River Resistance that Riel lead in 1869/70, took place.

Few people think of St. Vital with the possible exception of the Riel House National Historical site.

Yet the reality is that St. Vital has many connections to Louis Riel. On this bike tour, you will visit 12 to 13 of these. You 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:

· where Riel lived with his family for much of his youth

· where the Riel family river property was located

· where his father and uncle operated at carding and grist mill on the Seine River

· where Riel lived while he was leading the Red River Resistance

· 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

· public buildings, streets, parks, housing developments and monuments named for or dedicated to Louis Riel, his father and his mother

As well,

· You will see how St. Vital Centre is located right in the middle of what was once the Riel family river lot property

· You will learn about Riel’s parents, Louis Sr. and Julie Lagimodiere and how they influenced his aspirations, beliefs and commitment to the Metis people, French language and Catholic religion.

· You will learn about Riel’s French Canadian and Indigenous ancestry.

Useful Information:

Starting Location: 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.

Ending Location: Tour ends at Riel House National Historical site on River Road. Participants who parked at John Bruce Bridge will be led back there.

Duration: 1.5 to 2.0 hours for bike tour and 30 minutes to ride back to starting point.

Parking Available: Free public parking is available in a parking circle next the bridge and on the nearby street.

Requirements:

Supply your own bike, no rentals or loaners available. Fill tires with air before coming. Check brakes and gears.

Participants should be comfortable riding a bike as we will be travelling on some slow traffic streets.

Bring your own water.

Entire route is on flat land, no hills.

Rain: If raining heavily, tour will be cancelled. If raining lightly, tour will go ahead.