RENFREW COUNTY (Eganville) — Tour de Bonnechere 2019 will be held on Sunday August 18, in Eganville. The Tour advances the social conversation about mental illness, de-stigmatizing the issues surrounding mental health, and supporting people and families in their struggle for wellness.
Clara Hughes and her “Big Ride” for Mental Health as part of Bell Let’s Talk, in 2015, were invited to Deep River, by KidActive, a Renfrew County based not for profit organization. KidActive hosted an overwhelmingly successful event in Deep River to host Clara along her journey.
In 2010, Gearheads, the Petawawa based retail store, created the Tour de Bonnechere and ran this event until they envisioned a perfect marriage of cause and effect and donated the event to KidActive ensuring all proceeds would be used to endorse Clara’s message, specifically in Renfrew County.
Since 2016 the Tour de Bonnechere was co-managed by North Renfrew Family Services and Algonquin College (Waterfront Pembroke Campus), and stood alone as a major event promoting a reason to “Pedal For Mental Health”
In 2018, the decision was made to place the annual event under the umbrella of the Renfrew County Moving On Mental Health working group which is hosted by the Phoenix Centre for Families and Children in Pembroke.
The event is now co-managed and supported by North Renfrew Family Services and the Phoenix Centre and has many unpaid volunteers and event Co-Chairs that magically make this event more popular, year after year.
The Tour de Bonnechere kicks off at the Eganville fairgrounds this year and is a timed, self-supported road ride that celebrates cycling in the beautiful Ottawa Valley. Ride the 20k, 50k, 65k, or 100k routes. There is also a scenic family ride (20k) for all ages that includes a guided tour of the Bonnechere Caves. Enjoy riding at the pace that suits you best!
This year will feature Pembroke’s own Naomi Fong, two times bronze medalist at the 2018 Invictus Games in cycling, as our key guest and speaker at the Tour this year. Naomi deals with mental illness on a daily basis and cycling has played a positive role in her mental wellness.
Naomi says, “Even though I have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), I strive not to let the pain of my past affect my future”.
Algonquin drumming group Broken Arrow will provide opening prayers and smudging for those who wish to participate before the 100k and 65k rides. Music Healing Veterans will perform from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The event will also feature the famous potluck BBQ! Volunteers will grill burgers and hot dogs. Please, as an attendee/participant, bring your own chilled beverages and a potluck contribution to feed 10 people. This gives the event a true community feel. With lots of food, a lovely spot to relax, many door prizes (compliments of our generous sponsors), and the beautiful routes to ride, this is one event you’ll want to see for yourself! OVCATA has volunteered to manage routes and safety for the event.
The Tour de Bonnechere: Pedal For Mental Health, is a charity event that raises much needed funds to reduce stigma and raise awareness about mental health throughout Renfrew County. This year, the money raised will go to the Eganville Food Bank and Moving On Mental Health.
The Eganville Food Bank is located behind the Firehall in Eganville and is open every third and fourth Wednesday of the month from 9:00 to noon. It serves Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Bonnechere Valley, Douglas, Eganville and Golden Lake.
Moving on Mental Health is an important part of Ontario’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. The plan is designed to help children, youth and families access mental health services in their communities that are responsive and meet their needs. The Tour de Bonnechere is honoured to support the various projects this initiative has to help improve the mental health of children and youth in the community.
You can register for the event at tourdebonnechere.blogspot.ca.
The event organizers are still actively looking for sponsors and event partners to help them in making this year a success.
