With the words ‘magnificent’ and ‘magnolia’ in the event title it’s hard to go wrong.
For the second year running, the Magnificent Magnolia Ride is set to pedal its way around and perhaps under Guelph’s blossoming magnolia trees — and other, somewhat visual inferior flowering trees.
The 12-kilometre ride starts at 1 p.m. Saturday from Speed River Bicycle on Wyndham Street, weaving mostly around the centre of the city. A garden party for participants will follow the ride.
This year, the event is being run by the Guelph Hiking Club, and supported by the Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation.
Yvette Tendick is with the coalition. The ride, she said, is about a lot more than gorgeous magnolia blossoms. Those bursting white and pink symbols of springtime are simply the aesthetic incentive to get bums on the saddle of a bike, she said.
The ride will glide through the quiet streets of the city’s older neighbourhoods, including Exhibition Park and the Old University, among others — wherever there are good blooming magnolias to behold.
Resident magnolia expert Ned Coates will guide the riders, and Lise Burcher of the University of Guelph’s school of environment design and rural development will give a presentation in front of her own house, which is rife with blossoms.
“It has to do with combining active transportation with ordinary activities,” said Tendick. “You don’t have to be a super athlete wearing special clothing. You can go out and enjoy life on a bike. The ride is a way of promoting cycling culture.”
To add some aesthetic flare to the riders there is a costume contest, with prizes for the best dressed cyclist, the most outlandish getup, and the best spring bonnet. It may be a challenge to fit your bonnet over your helmet, but the wearing of a helmet is encouraged.
The trip will end on Arthur Street at the site of the garden party. The party is a new feature this year. Cucumber sandwiches, tea and lemonade will be served.
Prizes and refreshments are courtesy of Speed River Bicycle, Wike Bicycle Trailers, Goldie Sherman Pottery, and Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation. Participation is free.
Tendick said it appears that more Guelphites are using their bikes for general transportation, especially for year-round getting around. She said that anecdotal evidence shows that bike shops are now busier in the winter than ever before.
“There does seem to be more people on bikes,” she said. “What I’m finding through our organization is that a lot of people get around by bike. It’s more common than I thought. And those who get around by bike really like it, want to talk about it, and promote it. And they want safe places to bike.”
The Speed River Bicycle starting line for the ride is at 135 Wyndham St. N.
