Although the forecast was for light rain, 29 intrepid women bicyclists participated in the local Bella Bicicletta Women’s 100 Ride on Sunday, July 26.
The one-day global event’s goal is to encourage women to bicycle, and specifically to challenge women to bicycle the distance of 100 kilometres. It is promoted by Rapha, a London, England based cycling accessory and clothing firm.
On the Rapha website, 8,913 women signed up to participate in a 100 km ride in their various communities. Canadian sites for rides included the Comox Valley, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Regina, Toronto, Gatineau-Ottawa, Winnipeg, Quebec City, and the Sunshine Coast.
“We were very fortunate to have Gillian Clayton and Kelly MacKenzie-Rife of The Joint Physiotherapy organize the local ride,” a local ride spokesperson said. “Kelly was a competitive road and track cyclist and Gillian a professional triathlete. Both are genuinely inspirational role models. “Tremendous support for the event was received from all the local bike shops; Just Like Mom’s Bakery; the Fanny Bay Inn, The White Whale; The Joint Physiotherapy; Janet Stein Jewelry; and friends and family of Kelly and Gillian. T-shirts, funds for rest-stop food, and chocolate milk were donated by Gillian’s triathlon sponsor Powered by Chocolate Milk.”
The selected route took riders from downtown Courtenay, up to Cumberland, down through Royston, out to Qualicum Bay and back to Courtenay on the old Island Highway. Generous snack and water stops were provided about every 25 kilometres. Riders ranged in age and experience, from 16 to 70 years old, from triathletes and track racers to seasoned tourers and conditioned commuters.
“One interested observer at the Fanny Bay Inn rest stop said it was so cool, she had just seen the ‘peloton’ of women, and wondered who we were,” the spokesperson said. “A ‘peloton’ is a group of cyclists who save up to 40 per cent of their energy by riding in the slipstream of the riders directly in front of them.
“Participants take turns leading. It is a glorious feeling to be pulled along by a group of riders, all riding in synch. It may be coincidence, but the 21-day Tour de France bicycle race, featuring a peloton, also finished July 26, same day as the Bella Bicicletta Women’s 100 Ride,” said the spokesperson.
“It was a great inspirational event a chance for women cyclists of all ages to meet, and, all those who participated were motivated to ride a distance never ridden before. The mood was one of mutual encouragement, culminating in success for all.
“Big thanks to Kelly and Gillian for organizing the entire bicycling event, and thanks to the participants for making it happen.”
– Bella Bicicletta Women’s 100 Ride
