Albertans eager to take part in Cycling for Children

20 cyclists already registered for August fundraising tour

- photo supplied Cyclists take a break between Olds and Caroline during last summer's inaugural Alberta version of Cycling for Children.

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Olds

Christian Child Care International is getting ready to roll out its annual Cycling for Children bicycle tours across parts of Canada and like last year, Alberta leads the way by a country mile.

Event organizer Marian Cloutier isn't sure why the momentum is so strong in this region. She is pleased to see it, however.

"Last year, we had 25 (of 44 nationally) people sign up which is just unheard of," said Cloutier from CCCI's office in Dartmouth, N.S.

"Because it was such a positive experience, more people are lining up to join."

To date, 20 local riders have registered to make the 90-km trip from Olds to the Sanctum Retreat west of Caroline. The trip is slated for Aug. 13-14.

The team will spend the night at Sanctum, complete with celebrating Mass, sharing meals and prayer before heading back the following day.

It's a trip full of hills and turns and riders are expected to be in decent physical condition. Each participant receives a training manual for this purpose.

This is the fifth year for Cycling for Children in Canada, and the second for Alberta. Several guidelines are set out for participants to prepare them for the trip, including minimum fundraising requirements.

Other CFC tours planned are Agassiz to Langley, B.C., the Bruce Peninsula near Wiarton, Ont., and from Springhill to Tatamagouche in Nova Scotia.

Only a single rider has signed up for the B.C. tour, with nine so far in Ontario and seven in Nova Scotia.

CCCI is hoping to register 100 cyclists - a minimum of 25 per tour - to raise $100,000 to help complete the science and library building at St. Peter's Catholic College in Kumbo, Cameroon. Funds raised last year were seed money to provide additional classrooms, a library and three science labs.

Cloutier took part in last year's inaugural Olds-Caroline tour.

"The group came together very well. We had small family units with brother-sister, mothers-daughters. It didn't matter if a person was toddling along or fast and ahead of the game," she said.

"There was actually one woman who I know was in good physical condition and she could gone as fast as she wanted. We had a young girl (15) who was a little bit slower and in no hurry. The lady stayed behind in the hills to give her company. I'd never seen that before."

A registration fee of $80 pays for accommodation, meals, support vehicles and a cycling jersey. Riders must wear helmets. Each person is responsible to pay costs to get to and from the starting point.

Cloutier says the bike tour is an excellent - and healthy - opportunity for people to put their faith into action.

"They will be doing something (bike riding) they very likely love doing anyway. I'm really looking forward to our second annual Alberta tour and meeting new and old friends," she said.

For more information, contact Marian Cloutier at 1-866-311-6874, or email her at mariancloutier@ccciweb.ca.

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