Today is the day the Tour of Alberta bike race will pass through Cochrane, with 104 professional cyclists, some of which who just competed in Rio and Tour de France expected to come through town.

A reminder that Highway 1A and Highway 22 will be temporarily closed to accommodate the race, leaving Cochranites with two choices: Watch the race, or stay away from the area.

Cochrane's Marathon Man, Martin Parnell encourages the first option of being a spectator, as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"This is one of the top events ever that has come to Cochrane," he says. "The Grey Cup is watched by about 5 million people, the Stanley Cup around 14 or 15 million, this event is going to be watched by nearly 50 million people around the world."

While there will be road closures and inconvenience, Parnell encourages embracing the race and showing the world what Cochrane can do.

He says the Big Hill will be the best place to watch, as it is the biggest climb for the cyclists in the five day race.

 

Below are all road closures for the area:

 

Highway 40 will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Westbound Highway 1 will be closed from 1:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Highway 1X will be closed from 1:10 p.m. to 1:25 p.m.

Westbound Highway 1A between Highway 1X and Cochrane will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Speed will be reduced to 40 km/h eastbound on Highway 1A between Highway 1X and Cochrane from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Highway 1A through Cochrane will be closed from 2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.

Westbound Highway 1A east of Cochrane to Highway 766 will be closed from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Speed will be reduced to 40 km/h eastbound on Highway 1A, east of Cochrane to Hwy 766, from 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Rolling closures from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Highway 766 will affect all Township Roads between Highway 1A and Highway 27, and Highways 567, 574, 580 and 582.

Rolling closures from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Highway 27.

Westbound Highway 27 between Highway 766 and Olds will be closed from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Speed limit will be reduced to 40 km/h eastbound on Highway 27 between Highway 766 and Olds between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Highway 27 in Olds will be closed from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For more information.