Over 100 bikers participated in Sunday’s Food Cycle Ride and raised an estimated $7,500 for the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
“We increased the total ridership by over 20 per cent from last year to over 100 participants with the number of trail riders more than doubling,” said Harvey Thomson, chair of the Food Cycle Ride committee.
“Adding a 40km distance to the trail ride to go with the 20km we had last year helped. But so too did the experience that participants had last year.”
Thomson noted one signficant addition this year was Mark Paine, the local radio station morning show host, riding in the event with his dog in a chariot pulled behind.
On the ride’s website a special thank you was posted for “Paul Clarkson ‘farmer Paul’ who chose to celebrate his 50th birthday by participating in the ride and, with the help of family and friends raised over $500.”
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj welcomed participants at the start of the ride, noting the sunny weather.
“I want you to have a safe trip for such a worthy cause,” she told the riders before the event started out from Elora Public School.
Waterloo resident Kevin Woods was joined by friend Carol Stinton for the ride.
The pair were on the 40km ride and were looking forward to taking in the sights along the way. Woods estimated it would take about two hours to complete.
“We love it here,” he said of previous trips they have made to the Elora area. Woods had his bike tuned up prior to the ride by Lucas Wilford, who works at a bike shop in Salem.
“There’s some (bikes) that need some work,” Wilford said during the tune-up of Woods’ bike.
Wilford stayed on for the duration of the ride to assist any cyclists who had problems with their bikes.
Thomson said the ride is assisted by about 20 volunteers who help out.
“It was both fun and rewarding for the volunteers to see the enjoyment expressed by the participants in this year’s event and to know how important this support is to the Centre Wellington Food Bank,” Thomson said.
See photos on page 8.
