Cycle Tour
2020 Chair: Stefa Katamay
2020 Co - Chair: Lib Cooper
2020 Chair: Stefa Katamay
2020 Co - Chair: Lib Cooper
VG4A 2020 Cycle Tour:
Cycling sub-Saharan Africa
Cycling sub-Saharan Africa
The VG4A 2020 cycle tour chose a different format this year. In light of continued requirements for physical distancing and near certainty of a second wave of COVID-19, the Cycle Tour Working Group landed on a cycle tour format that respects the health of cyclists. That said, commitment to raising money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign remains stronger than ever as grassroots organizations in sub-Saharan Africa cope with COVID-19 in addition to challenges created by HIV and AIDS.
We did not go to Africa; however, from August 17 – September 13, 2020 registered cyclists collectively cycled 18,107 km, the distance to cycle to most SLF funded communities.
The 18,107 km distance was divided into six sections, each of approximately 3,000 km. Team leaders were assigned, given a section and managed their team with each team riding 3,000 km. Although riders cycled independently, once registered they were randomly divided into teams that include riders committed to both shorter and longer distances for the cycle tour. Each rider determined for herself a distance to ride over the duration of the cycle tour. Team leaders checked in with their members and tracked distances on a weekly basis. Teams were provided with information about the SLF projects in their section so that riders and donors were more connected to the grassroots initiatives in Africa.
This year’s cycle tour format allowed for even more women 55 years of age and older to show our African sisters that “We will not rest until they can rest.”
2020 training looked different with cyclists out in pairs or small groups ... and you just never know who you might meet along the way! Our thanks to Heather and Santino from Millstream Miniature Llamas on Atkins Road for allowing us to post the picture of their morning walk on the trail.
Celebrating the huge success of the 2019 Cycle Tour
Above.... on the left the 50 km riders at Centennial Square on September 8th and on the right those riders who rode on August 9th since they were going to be unavailable on the day of the tour.
Below..... the 275 km riders are all smiles at the Welcome Home Celebration on September 8th.
Below..... the 275 km riders are all smiles at the Welcome Home Celebration on September 8th.
Below - Photos from the 2019 summer training rides
August 2019
Stefa fixes a flat while others look on and learn!
Berries and horses get riders off their bikes!
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July 2019
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Monday July 29 - Bonnie invited us to have our lunch in her beautiful garden, a welcome stop on an 81 km training ride |
Above - Monday - July 22. How fortunate we are to train in such a beautiful part of the world. Monday riders are seen here on Beach Drive with the Royal Victoria Yacht Club Marina in the background
Above - photos from June 17th and July 1st during the 275 km Monday training ride. Most weeks riders turn out in their team shirts, which often gives an opportunity when we stop for coffee to talk about the campaign, but on July 1st we were encouraged to wear our red and white!
Above - 50 km riders photographed on two Friday mornings during training sessions in June. Having coffee together is a well earned and essential part of building the cameraderie of the team!
June 2019
On June 10, 2019, 6 of our 18 riders wait surrounded by flowers
for others to arrive for a beautiful ride through city streets and coastal roads.
for others to arrive for a beautiful ride through city streets and coastal roads.
Hurray for the Success of the 2018 VG4A Cycle Tour!
The Welcome Home Celebration in Centennial Square on September 9th saw a crowd of supporters and well-wishers cheer the arrival of 23 cyclists from the 275 km ride, and 6 cyclists from the 50 km ride, all led in by Mayor Lisa Helps. Together the rides raised a remarkable $80,000.00. What an amazing effort. Well done riders!
Photo Credit: Jane Player
Cyclist Johanna de Leeuw published a letter in the Times Colonist after the 275 km ride in 2018. Its heart-warming message is worth repeating:
An Act of Kindness
On Sunday September 9, I arrived at the Mill Bay ferry enroute to Victoria with the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa 275km fundraising cycle tour. I was drenched with rain but in high spirits from the dedication and encouragement of the support groups along the way as well as companionship and inspiration of our fellow riders. However, my high spirits were dashed when I arrived home to discover my wallet (containing cash and driver’s license) was missing. I had tucked it into the back pocket of my shirt before entering the Cowichan Café and thought I had returned it to my panier before boarding the ferry. When I arrived home much later that evening, I found a large brown envelope stuffed into my front door. On it was this note: “Hello, my name is Hardeep and I am the deck hand on the Brentwood Bay ferry. I found this in front of my truck on the road. I remember your face because you said thank you.” I called Hardeep and learned that he had driven all the way from Brentwood Bay to my home on Lands End Road in North Saanich, delivered the wallet, and then driven back to his home in Nanaimo. This is truly an act of human kindness. Thank you Hardeep.
An Act of Kindness
On Sunday September 9, I arrived at the Mill Bay ferry enroute to Victoria with the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa 275km fundraising cycle tour. I was drenched with rain but in high spirits from the dedication and encouragement of the support groups along the way as well as companionship and inspiration of our fellow riders. However, my high spirits were dashed when I arrived home to discover my wallet (containing cash and driver’s license) was missing. I had tucked it into the back pocket of my shirt before entering the Cowichan Café and thought I had returned it to my panier before boarding the ferry. When I arrived home much later that evening, I found a large brown envelope stuffed into my front door. On it was this note: “Hello, my name is Hardeep and I am the deck hand on the Brentwood Bay ferry. I found this in front of my truck on the road. I remember your face because you said thank you.” I called Hardeep and learned that he had driven all the way from Brentwood Bay to my home on Lands End Road in North Saanich, delivered the wallet, and then driven back to his home in Nanaimo. This is truly an act of human kindness. Thank you Hardeep.
Memories of the 2018 Training Rides
Our 50 km riding group pose for a picture in Esquimalt while out for a Friday morning training ride
Monday - August 6.. 14 riders turned out for the first of our back to back rides..90 km covered:) Fantastic effort!
We were reminded on Monday July 30 during lunch that the African grannies all sit on the ground and often under a tree... sooo... here we are, on the ground in solidarity, and enjoying the shade under a tree while lunching in Bonnie's lovely garden on a very warm day. Our 275 km training rides are now up to 70 kms and counting... next week on Monday and Tuesday we will enjoy our back to back rides... each around 90 km. Once these are tucked away we will be READY TO ROLL:)
Just some of the happy riders at the end of our 75 km 'all around the Saanich peninsula' ride on Monday, July 9... twelve of us out in almost perfect riding conditions... cloudy and warm with almost no wind. Well done everyone:)
Riders pose for a photo along the Esquimalt lagoon with the driftwood and shell bird sculptures - Monday, July 2
A large group of grannies enjoy coffee at the Broken Paddle in Metchosin on Monday, June 4th
Above .... Switch Bridge on May 7th.... another glorious spring day.... was the meeting place for the beginning of the 275 km training ride - in the photo to the right Heather (ride leader for the day) reviews the day's route.
Above ...The 50 km training group riders gather at the Blenkinsop/Lochside connector for their ride on Friday May 4th
From left to right - Fonda, Patti, Gail, Judy, Patti and Daphne.
From left to right - Fonda, Patti, Gail, Judy, Patti and Daphne.
Stopping for coffee and conversation is a very important part of the morning together
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Some days as we ride we discover new coffee spots... pictured right is a latte served during the April 23rd training ride at Imagine Cafe on Erie Street
On the left, a beautiful cherry blossom tree in front of the Cafe provides a magnificent leaning post for the bikes |
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Finding a friend or friends to ride with between
training rides is very important...
seen here Peggy and Lisbie take a selfie while out enjoying a mid week ride along Victoria's beautiful Scenic Drive
CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FOR MORE CYCLING NEWS
* An awesome video of the 275 km Cycle Tour in 2017
* Coverage of the 275 tour in the Campbell River Mirror
* Gregor Craigie interview with VG4A's Rose Mary Ormerod about the Cycle Tour
* Bike Freedom 50+ a new initiative to get older adults comfortable about biking
* Cycling Keeps Your Immune System Young
* Coverage of the 275 tour in the Campbell River Mirror
* Gregor Craigie interview with VG4A's Rose Mary Ormerod about the Cycle Tour
* Bike Freedom 50+ a new initiative to get older adults comfortable about biking
* Cycling Keeps Your Immune System Young
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa © 2010.
