WHITEWATER REGION — The challenge is on!
Whitewater Region Councillor Chris Olmstead and Mayor Hal Johnson are participating in the Tour de Whitewater. While Coun. Olmstead is riding 30 kilometres, Mayor Johnson is hoping to reach 10 kilometres – and if he can go further, he will.
Coun. Olmstead noted there will most likely be more than 300 riders at the event on Saturday in Westmeath.
Following last night’s council meeting, Mayor Johnson showed the bike he will be riding.
“My wife gave me this bike for my birthday in 1976, it’s 42 years old,” he said.
Mayor Johnson said he opted to participate because he enjoys participating in community events and wants to see if he can do it. While he hasn’t put on much cycling mileage this year, he has gone about five kilometres to make sure he can still
ride.
“I did terribly,” he said with a laugh.
His wife Wendy, along with Coun. Olmstead, are riding with him, but he did add, “Oh, they’ll probably be a long piece ahead of me. But I’ll get them on the return.”
Mayor Johnson admits he last rode this bike about five years ago.
Both he and Ms. Johnson’s bike had to have new tires put on, because the others were “completely rotten.
“This is the third set of tires and the second seat. It’s like a bucket seat, it’s really soft,” he said as he pushed down on it.
As for Ms. Johnson’s bike, Mayor Johnson altered it. Because of back issues she’s not able to ride bent over, so, he added handlebars that allow her to ride upright.
The Tour de Whitewater takes place at the Westmeath Arena Saturday morning, July 7. It includes bicycling routes ranging in distances from 150 kilometres down to 10 kilometres.
The Road Warriors (150 km) depart at 7 a.m. followed an hour later by the Skilled Road Riders (150 km). At 8:30 a.m. the 60 km Gravel Road Riders set out followed 30 minutes later by the 50 km road riders and at 10 a.m. the 10 km family ride begins.
While online registration has closed, last-minute participants can still register on the day of the ride for a cash only fee of $40.
However, it’s a $10 fee for children 10 and under who are riding the 10 km.
Once the Road Warriors depart, head into the Westmeath hall and have breakfast, which is served from 7 to 10:30 a.m. at $8 a plate, $5 for children (cash only).
Those who arrive too late for breakfast can still grab some food, as the 4H is hosting a barbecue lunch outside the arena and the bar will be open in the Westmeath arena started at 11 a.m.
To wrap up the event, here will be speeches and door prize draws starting at 12:30 p.m.
