The CCE’S Amanda Chang sat down with Cycle Waterloo’s Malcolm Stevens to chat about the upcoming race, including a few changes for 2013 and ways you can get involved on June 23
Amanda Chang
CCE CONTRIBUTOR
Cycle Waterloo will be hosting their fourth annual Tour de Waterloo cycling event on June 23, 2013.
Slower cyclists need not worry; the event is chip timed but co-organizer Malcolm Steven encourages both racers and recreational road cyclists to attend.
“It’s really for everyone who has a road bike,” Steven said.
The Tour de Waterloo has three distinct races: a 40 km race, a 70 km race and a 130 km race, all of which are open for registration. Online registration for the event is open until June 20 at noon. Early bird registration for Tour de Waterloo closes on June 9. Riders who sign up during the early bird registration pay a reduced rate and get their names put in a draw for a chance to win an overnight stay at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in St. Jacobs and dinner for two at McCabe’s in Kitchener.
Some items included in the registration fees are: a continental breakfast of coffee and bagels served from 7 to 8 a.m., first-aid services, rest stop support with refreshments and snacks, an awards ceremony and a post-race meal provided by McCabe’s Catering.
“We’ve got pulled pork sandwiches, salads, a vegetarian lasagne and butter chicken. So you get a really great meal at the end,” Steven said.
New this year to the Tour de Waterloo is a para-cycling division in the 40 km race with an award to be presented to the top three male and female hand-cyclists.
“We are kind of excited because we have got a Paralympian coming who will be racing in the 40 km as well, so that’s really unique this year for the Tour de Waterloo,” Steven added.
He hopes the Tour de Waterloo will attract 750 riders to participate in the event this year, topping last year’s number of 520 riders.
“Even if we could get 500 people again this year, like we had last year, then that is going to raise $30,000 in registration fees. If we can get 750 [riders], it is $60 [a person], then we can raise $45,000. That would be just fabulous,” Steven said.
Riders may also choose to set up their own donation page to raise money for either the Grand River Hospital Foundation or KW Counseling Services. A prize of a Blackberry Z10 Smartphone will be awarded to the top fundraiser for both charitable partners.
Riders who participate in Tour de Waterloo may choose to ride individually or in a team of five. To form a team, five participants must register under a team name of their choice. Prizes will go out to the top three teams with the shortest combined race time from the 130 km race.
If you are not one for cycling but would still like to help out, Tour de Waterloo is looking for volunteers to set up barricades, act as route marshals and help out around the venue. If you would like to volunteer, visit the Cycle Waterloo website and complete the volunteer sign-up under contacts.
The event starts at David Johnston Resource & Technology Park with a Gran Fondo Mass start at 8:30 a.m. Tour de Waterloo is an Ontario Cycling Association sanctioned event and is sponsored by Blackberry, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, Adventure Guide and the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.
Proceeds from Tour de Waterloo go to supporting cancer programs at the Grand River Hospital Foundation and the Walk In Clinic at KW Counselling Services.
For more information on Tour de Waterloo you can contact Malcolm Steven at info@cyclewaterloo.com or visit the Cycle Waterloo website www.cyclewaterloo.com.
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