From Ayer’s Cliff to Sherbrooke
It’s time to hit the road! The 2026 Grand Tour, presented by Lait , has a wonderful day in store for you , taking you all the way to North Hatley—a true gem of the Eastern Townships—and then on to our first stop in Sherbrooke. With country roads, panoramic views of Lake Massawippi, and charming villages along the way, this first day will be a wonderful introduction to the beautiful Eastern Townships region.
Fill up your water bottles, lube your chains, and have a good lunch—because today, we're riding!
All the key information you need to get your Grand Tour off to a good start:
If you have any questions, please stop by the INFO booth before the race starts.
Starting point
Ayer’s Cliff Agricultural Fair (1070 Westmount Street, Ayer’s Cliff, QC J0B 1C0).
Parking
There is a $20 parking fee, payable in cash only upon arrival at the site.
Bracelets
If you're missing any wristbands, or if you received defective ones, please stop by the INFO booth before the start, and we'll take care of it.
Luggage
Please drop off your luggage in the designated areas before your departure so that it can be transported to the village.
Do you sleep with a CPAP machine? You can leave it at the INFO kiosk. We’ll take it to the Sherbrooke village, where you can set up inside to sleep.
Highlights of the Day
Cycling
After biking
Let's meet at the Village de Sherbrooke to settle in and enjoy the games, massages, and movies that will be available to you!
Come pick up Grand Tour jerseys or Vélo Québec apparel at our boutique kiosk.
For any emergency, please contact us at 514 292-8356.
Day-by-day cycling itinerary
View today's routes on Google Maps
View today's routes on Ride with GPS
View today's topographic profiles (PDF)
Standard route, 61 km
Meet at the meeting point – Ayer’s Cliff Agricultural Fair (1070 Westmount Street, Ayer’s Cliff, QC J0B 1C0).
On your way to Sherbrooke, take a break in Waterville before continuing on to North Hatley, one of the most beautiful villages in the Eastern Townships. Drive along the shores of Lake Memphremagog until you reach the Grand Tour village in Sherbrooke.
View the route on Ride with GPS
Gravel Route, 68 km
Meet at the same meeting point as the regular route— Ayer’s Cliff Agricultural Fair (1070 Westmount Street, Ayer’s Cliff, QC J0B 1C0). This route will take you along various paths through Kingscroft, Hatley, and North Hatley.
We’re kicking off this Grand Tour with a gravel ride that starts in the fields and winds through the forest. The Ch. Dubé is absolutely beautiful and will give you the chance to take some great photos (for our contest!)
A route that is 70% gravel.
View the route on Ride with GPS
Shortened route, -15 km (46 km total)
Want to start off at a leisurely pace? Shorten your day by 16 kilometers by turning north immediately after North Hatley. With this option, you won’t miss any of the culinary highlights along the route.
View the route on Ride with GPS
Optional Route 1, +22 km (96 km total)
Want to add a few kilometers to your day? This first optional route on the Grand Tour will let you extend your day right from the start by heading south through the Coaticook Valley. You’ll find a few extra attractions along the way.
View the route on Ride with GPS
Refreshment Stop 1 - km 16
Stock up on fresh water and enjoy a snack to fuel up for the day at today’s rest stop at La Station cheese farm. You’ll have the chance to sample their cheeses.
Lunch stop - km 25
Lunch break at Collège François-Delaplace in Waterville, 365 Compton Street East, Waterville, QC J0B 3H0.
The lunch stop is open starting at 10 a.m.
Optional Route 2, +13 km (74 km total)
This optional route is for those who want to get their calves working right from the first day. You'll find several winding ascents and descents that are sure to get your body moving.
View the route on Ride with GPS
Refreshment Stop 2, km 41
Take one last break at Wilfrid-Lareau Park, located at 35 Chem. de North Hatley, Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, QC J0B 1W0, before heading toward the village and Sherbrooke!
Attractions along the route
Here are some of the day’s highlights—and there are plenty more to discover! This year, you can shop on-site, and we’ll bring everything back to the Village for you at the end of the day, thanks to a pickup service designed just for you! This service is marked with this symbol 
Sacré Vice – Gourmet Emporium
25 Chem. du Brulé,
Compton, QC J0B 1L0
Bergeville Estate
1030 Sherbrooke Blvd.,
Hatley, QC J0B 2C0
Ferland Orchard and Cider House
380 Station Road,
Compton, QC J0B 1L0
Activities and Services
At Le Village, in the heart of the beautiful city of Sherbrooke, you’ll find all kinds of activities to enjoy. Whether you want to unwind, have a drink, or take your mind off things, we’ve got just what you need!
Morning at Ayer’s Cliff
6 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Café Espace
6:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Mechanics
At all times
6:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Information Booth and Gift Shop
7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.: First aid
2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.: Hotel shuttles
An Afternoon in Sherbrooke
When you return to the village, enjoy a delicious chocolate milk to help you recover from your activities, and discover the surprise of the day, courtesy of Lait!
11 a.m. – 11 p.m.: Movie theater
2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Bike repair (free) and bike cleaning by Vélonette ($12 fee)
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Outdoor games
2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Festidouches
2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.: Massage therapy ($57 for 30 minutes, $103 for 55 minutes; taxes included). To make a reservation, text Alexandre at 450-578-5015 and indicate your preferred time slot.
3:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Drinks at the bistro, including Siboire, the official beer of the Grand Tour
At Your Own Pace: A Tour of Sherbrooke’s Murals
8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: DJ Set
Shuttles
Montreal – Saint-Lambert – Ayer’s Cliff
The shuttle to take you to Ayer’s Cliff will depart at 7:00 a.m. from École du Plateau in Montreal. It will stop at Champlain College in Saint-Lambert, then depart at 7:30 a.m. for the starting point: Ayer’s Cliff. It will arrive in the Ayer’s Cliff area around 9:30 a.m.
Van
Are you traveling by van? Arrive at Ayer’s Cliff before 7:45 a.m. to drop off your bike and your fellow cyclists, then drive your van to the village of Sherbrooke. A shuttle will depart at 8:30 a.m. to take you back to Ayer’s Cliff so you can begin your Grand Tour. Be sure to leave early—it takes about 30 minutes to travel between the two villages.
Village – Hotels
OTL Sherbrooke Hotel and Grand Times Shuttle – August 1, 2, and 3, 2026 – departures every 30 minutes between 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
