The race welcomes all cyclists from families to elite athletes
Guelph is a cycling city: from the infrastructure that has taken inspiration from cycling-loving cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam to the culture that sees cyclists racing down and labouring up Gordon Street nearly every minute.
In celebration of cycling culture with the coupling of community involvement and charity, the fifth annual Tour de Guelph is peddling its way into Guelph this weekend.
The event is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Guelph South, the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium, and Guelph’s General Hospital.
The race will be held on Sunday, June 24 and provides a number of different registration options for any level of cyclists.
From 5- and 10-km loops for families and beginners to a 160-km century race around the countryside of Wellington county for the elite cyclists. Other options include the 25 km Bremner Memorial, 50- and 100–km races. This year the Tour de Guelph added a 75-km race to the mix. The event is a fun-filled charity driven community meant to promote cycling culture in the city.“All of the proceeds go toward the hospital and community so the event is a great way to bring the community together for a common purpose,” said Brian Cowan, co-chair of the Tour de Guelph.
According Cowan, the event has raised close to $325,000 ($100,000 last year alone) for hospital needs in its first five years — and it continues to grow.
“We had over 750 cyclists last year and we look forward to having more than 1,000 this year,” Cowan told The Ontarion.
The event encourages family involvement and welcomes cyclists of all ages and abilities. Riders have spanned across the generations with the youngest aged three and the eldest in their late 80s.