Gearing Up Family Cycling Club held a bike rodeo at North Bay’s Education Centre Saturday. Gearing Up, in its second year, meets on alternating Saturdays and Wednesdays at different routes on the city's trail network.
Spokesperson Connie Hergott says about 50 people registered for the bike rodeo -- the launch of the summer season for the club. “There will be 13 rides over the summer with different themes. Some are mountain biking, road biking, and trail biking like on the Kate Pace Way and Cranberry Trail.”
Hergott says Saturday’s bike rodeo was presented for skill development. “Quick stops, balance, travelling through a narrow space and figure eights are worked on.” She adds all cyclists must wear helmets to take part.
Hergott talks about how Gearing Up started. “A few years ago my neighbours and I did a bike rodeo here for all our friends and it was fantastic. So we decided to make it official and get the wider community involved.“
Executive Director Jennifer McCourt of Discovery Routes says her organization is assisting the grass roots bike club. “Many family members are volunteering, probably 15 today. And parents or family members are asked to guide the rides. We want everyone out enjoying the trails.”
Jeff Conti was volunteering. Conti is part of the bike patrol team of campus security at Canadore College and Nipissing University. “I will be helping kids through the course, directing them so they don’t get lost.”
Hannah Wolfman is the Bicycle Program Coordinator with Discovery Routes. “We are hoping to achieve a cycling culture. We're hoping to get a greater presence so that there is more awareness on safety – in terms of motorist awareness and the next generation being cycle safe.
We are taking them on the trails but we have the ultimate goal of the coexistence of cyclers on the road with motorists in a safe capacity.”
Hergott adds the kids want to get the parents outdoors. “If the kids are geared up and excited about it, they are going to push their parents to go on bike rides with them and be active. Our city has fantastic trails that are second to none so let’s get people on them.”
She wants a shout out for the many volunteers and donated resources from Canadian Tire, Cycle Works, Cheapskates, Sobey’s, Lefebvres, Home Hardware, Discovery Routes, Callander Lion’s Club, Canadore College, Nipissing University and the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
Wednesday is the next ride for Gearing Up along the Kinsmen Trail. The group will meet at Lee Park at 6 p.m. Details on Gearing Up are at: http://discoveryroutes.ca/gearingup
Trail information: http://discoveryroutes.ca/north-bay/
