Find your helmet and pump up your bike tires for the 10th annual Tour de Guelph, presented by Label Design Ltd., on Sunday, June 25th. The event invites community members of all ages and abilities to register, fundraise, and participate in a bike ride in support of the Guelph General Hospital and other local charity programs through the Rotary clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium.
Tour de Guelph co-chair, Clarence Haverson, expressed his excitement for this year's event, saying that with the support of the community, he believes it could be the first year they exceed raising $1 million.
In its first nine years, Tour de Guelph has helped many community members with the over $850,000 it raised.
Community members can register for the event at TourdeGuelph.ca and choose from four different registration types. The first type, "Fundraise to Ride," requires no registration fee but has a minimum $50 fundraising commitment. The "Free Wheeler" type does not require any fundraising commitment but has a $50 registration fee. The "5/10 km Accessible Bike Loop" is a family-friendly and all-ability route with no registration fee but requires a $25 minimum fundraising commitment per registrant. Finally, the "Ride Anytime" type allows participants who cannot join the event day ride to register, fundraise, and finish a bike ride on their own time between June 16th and 25th.
Participants who raise $300 by June 25th will receive a free Tour de Guelph cycling jersey, and those who register and fundraise $300 by May 8th can have their jersey in time to wear at the event on June 25th.
Tour de Guelph co-chair Frank Oudesluys, who is in charge of developing this year's bike routes, emphasized that the paths are designed to cater to participants of varying fitness levels and abilities.
"We try hard to ensure there is a distance for everyone to enjoy, from beginners to experienced cyclists," Oudesluys said.
The event offers 25 km, 50 km, 75 km, and 100 km road routes, a 50 km multi-surface route, as well as the 5/10 km loop through the protected streets of The Village by the Arboretum. Rest stops with water, snacks, and portable toilets are available along all routes that are 25 km and longer.
All rides start and finish at the University of Guelph, where there is plenty of free parking. Registration includes a complimentary BBQ lunch, and families with young children can enjoy the Family Fun Zone with bike decorating, face painting, and freezies.
Full event details can be found on the Tour de Guelph website at www.tourdeguelph.ca.
