We’re back … after a successful launch in 2023, we are working once again with partners from the Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit and local bike shops in Simcoe County; to ride into spring of 2024 with an expanded bike challenge for cyclists from across Orillia and Simcoe County.
The objective is to encourage people to ride their bike to work or school, as well as recreationally. Riding your bike to work – instead of driving or being driven – directly supports better health and better air. Cycling or ‘active transportation’ is also aligned with Orillia’s community climate action plan ‘Orillia’s Climate Future’ in particular the goals laid out in ‘Big Move #2 – Transportation’ as found here. Beyond promoting better health and reduced carbon emissions, there are also considerable economic benefits in ‘getting off gas’.
Please join us, Sustainable Orillia on Friday evening, April 26th at the Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West Street South) for the kick-off event and registration (Multi-Purpose Room B) for this year’s challenge. Starting at 7:00 p.m. the launch event will include an overview of the challenge itself and a brief presentation about the health benefits of cycling. Representatives from ‘Cycle Simcoe’ will be on-hand to provide information and handouts on local trails.
The challenge itself will take place over a four-week period – from May 11th until end-of-day, June 8th. It’s not a race; rather a personal challenge for participants whenever possible to cycle instead of driving or being driven to your destination. And as with last year, participants can use the STRAVA app to record their kilometres and number of trips. Non-STRAVA users will be required to keep a record of their distances and trips on provided forms.
This year – the Challenge has been expanded to include e-bikes, with the request that e-bike participants only record trips and distances travelled below or at the first level of assist (the honour system applies here). We are also inviting teams of three to participate as part of a ‘Team’ category that’s perfect for families, work buddies and school-mates alike to sign on for.
A Big Shout Out to Orillia’s Orchard Park Elementary School, who is consistently out front with sustainable programs. Once again, their spring ‘Movement Challenge’ will be also be underway from April 15th – 26th. Once again reinforcing the benefits of cycling to school for their students. Additionally, all schools throughout Simcoe County are encouraged to promote participation in the Sustainable Spokes – Healthy Folks 2024 Bike Challenge. There is a dedicated age category (up to 14 years old) for young people with prizes for the most distance cycled and greatest number of trips cycled; for the three top winners in each category.
More details on the Sustainable Spokes – Health Folks 2024 Bike Challenge – the guidelines, classifications and prizes are available through the link at the end of this article.
All participants in this year’s challenge are required to register and sign a waiver. Participants under 18 years of age, will need written permission from a parent or guardian. And if you aren’t available to join us for the April 26th kick-off, you can still register on-line right up until May 11th.
We look forward to seeing you and your fellow cyclists on April 26th … between 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Orillia Recreation Centre. This is an open challenge to the public, right across Simcoe County and we want this to be a healthy, positive and fun experience for every participant. The challenge for our community is to achieve a total distance cycled by all of this year’s participants that could stretch right across Canada – a distance of 7560 km. We’ll let you know how well we do and how far we got when we calculate the final results as of June 9th.
To Register for the 2024 Sustainable Spokes – Healthy Folks 2024 Bike Challenge click here.