by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — The sweat ran down my face and spine. My heart was pumping. The cold water filtered down my throat and felt so cooling. Cyclists were going by me, shouting hi.
I waved back, not wanting to stop the cold water cooling me off.
Looking around, I could see the Ottawa River and fields planted with various crops, and plenty of homes. As I drove onward, the peacefulness and beauty of Whitewater Region kept me pedalling on over the hills and along the long, straight stretches.
I was just one of 304 people who had the opportunity to see the beautiful scenery of the eastern portion of Whitewater Region as I participated in the first, but hopefully not the only, Tour de Whitewater.
Those 304 riders participated in a variety of rides, including 10, 30, 50 and 100 kilometres and a CRANKyKids course for the younger participants. The riders all departed from the Westmeath Community Centre in three stages (10 and 30; 50; 100) one hour apart starting at 8 a.m. The last of the riders returned to the centre around 1 p.m.
This event was organized by Mike Wendorf and a group of people who decided in February to organize a cycling event as a way of celebrating Canada 150.
“When we started out, about in February, we sat down and said let’s see if we can have a nice social ride with 60 riders,” Mr. Wendorf said in the upstairs community hall at the end of the ride. “All of a sudden it bloomed into this.”
Once the clapping died down, Mr. Wendorf continued, “Thank you everybody for coming out. We had 304 registered riders.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine this many participants.”
Mr. Wendorf said there were too many volunteers to name them all, but he said thanks for helping and keeping him sane. However, he did note there were three women he wanted to mention.
Sheila Perras, who did most of the administration work; Jackie MacGregor, who organized the 100 kilometre ride and Tammy McCarthy from GearHeads, who answered many questions.
“These are the ladies who answered my emails and kept me on the right track,” he said.
He continued with thanks, to the Westmeath District Recreation Association for the morning breakfast and the 4-H members for the barbecue; Jamieson Travel for the pit stop and the paramedics and OPP officers who were on hand in case they were needed.
While the goal was to break-even with some profit for the WDRA and 4-H club, Mr. Wendorf said there was a larger profit than expected. It’s expected some money will be held back in case a similar event is held again next – loud applause from the hundreds gathered inside – and the rest of it going to the two organizations.
Whitewater Region Mayor Hal Johnson was there in the morning to cheer on the riders and returned in the afternoon to welcome them to the township.
“Welcome to Whitewater Region,” he said. “These are the people who live here that we love, the volunteers. The Westmeath and District Recreation Association is an extremely important group in our region. They promote a lot of bonding, a lot of activities and they make the council of Whitewater Region proud to be part of all of this.”
He introduced Councillor Chris Olmstead, who is chairman of the township’s recreation committee.
Mayor Johnson said, “We are very interested in moving toward a lot more recreational activities in Whitewater Region because it brings forward friends from other places, bonds the friends from within, promotes health and wealth and fairness.
“On behalf of council and myself, the mayor of Whitewater Region, thanks for coming and come again next year, but you can come any time to bike here, we love you,” he ended.
Following the presentation of door prizes via a draw, Vince Gervais won the $100 draw organized by the 4-H and donated the money back, while Connie Tabbert won the 4-H 50/50 of $43 and shared it.
While everyone was packing up and leaving, committee member Sheila Perras said, “We were so pleased. We had such a great turnout. The weather could have been a little bit better, but all in all we had a successful ride.
“We had 304 registered riders, for our very first annual Tour de Whitewater.”
There were many comments from participants who came from near and far, Ms. Perras said. They spoke about how beautiful the township is, how well organized the event was and “what a great job Mike Wendorf did.”
There was a large group of dedicated volunteers who spent a lot of time organizing this event, she said.
There were various sponsors of the event, which helped to ensure the success, she added.
She noted one of the sponsors was GearHeads who checked out the bikes of the participants who wanted a quick check-over. Ms. Perras said they even came to the assistance of a road warrior whose bike broke down just before the start of the ride.
“GearHeads immediately came to his rescue and supplied him with an alternate bike.”
Although no official decision had yet been made, Ms. Perras said, “Because of the great turnout we anticipate next year will be bigger.”
When asked if there would be any changes if there were a similar event again, she said, “We’ll move the after-activities down to the arena floor where there’s a lot more space.”
