GORE BAY—The Gore Bay Rotary Club held a very successful Bay to Bay Bicycle Ride fundraiser this past Saturday.
“It was beyond expectations, reading and hearing some of the comments from those who participated,” said Rotarian Peter Carter. “We couldn’t have asked for a better combination of riders, weather cooperating and support from our sponsors.”
“The rider quality this year was so encouraging, the riders are so keen to take part,” said Mr. Carter. “I think this was one of our better years. We had lots of riders from off-Island, with probably 75 percent of the riders coming from Sudbury to take part including a large delegation from The Rolling Circus Sessions group. And we had one rider, Kris Henrikson, from Sarnia who participated.”
“I met Peter on another fundraising event, the Seven Day Ride,” Mr. Henrikson told The Expositor. Mr. Henrikson’s girlfriend Erica volunteered to be a helper for the ride. “Peter has invited me the last couple of years to take part, and the opportunity arose this year,” he said, pointing out that he had been to the Island previously, as a child.
“Everything was fantastic; there is no better way to see the Island than to go on a big bike ride,” said Mr. Henrikson.
This year’s event marked its fourth year, with every dollar raised going back into the community. This year’s benefactors from the ride will be the food banks and food cupboard in Gore Bay and Manitoulin and the Gore Bay Volunteer Fire Department.
There were close to 60 riders take part, with three cycling routes to choose from, a century ride-200 kilometres, a half century 100-kilometre ride and a family fun/children’s ride of six kilometres from Gore Bay to the Janet Head Lighthouse and back.
Prior to start of the ride Mr. Carter said, “I would like to thank all of you so much for coming here today to take part in this event.”
Rotary Club president Jack Clark said, “on behalf of the Rotary Club I would like to thank all of you for taking part. And we would like to thank Peter (Carter) for all his work in organizing this ride. There are a lot of people that help to make this event happen every year and we appreciate everyone’s support, help and contributions.”
Kathy Mutch of the Lyons Memorial United Church Food Cupboard program told the riders, “Lyons Memorial United Church is very appreciative of what the Rotary Club does in putting on this event and supporting the food cupboard. We have benefitted each of the three previous years the ride has taken place.”
“Food insecurity is something that is felt all the way across our country, and we have seen its effects on the community of Western Manitoulin,” said Ms. Mutch. “Our population in Gore Bay is 900 but we have fed over 400 since Christmas. All of these people are very appreciative of having the food cupboard, there have even been people in tears so appreciative that the food cupboard can help them.”
“We have seen an increase of about 25 percent in food costs in stocking our food cupboard,” said Ms. Mutch. “The food cupboard is open just once a week, but we go through a lot of food. We are averaging a cost of $300 a month to stock our food cupboard, which is used mostly by residents of Western Manitoulin. We have had great community support, with people in the community who come in with bags of food to help stock the food cupboard.”
“We thank the Rotary Club and all the riders here for our dedication and support,” said Ms. Mutch. “We hope that you have a wonderful ride, and you will have a chance to see some of the beautiful scenery along the way.”
Reverend Mercedes Hughes then presented a blessing of the riders and their bikes.
“Creator God. We give thanks for this day and for this gathering of bicycles and riders and all who support them.”
“Bless these bicycles that they may be sure and steady,” read Rev. Hughes. “May their gears change smoothly, and their chains remain intact. May their tires always be full and may they never slip on the ground or pavement.”
“Bless also and especially these riders,” stated Rev. Hughes. “We pray that they will lift their heads and take in the beauty of the world, even as they whizz through it. May they feel the exhilaration of the ride, the joy of journeying together, and the deep well-being of the strength and determination they find within their minds and bodies. We pray all these things in Jesus’ name.”
After the riders completed their ride, everyone gathered at Split Rail Brewing in Gore Bay for lunch and to swap stories of their experiences on the ride.
