On Monday, a group of long-distance cyclists from as far away as Japan will pedal 1,200 kilometres — from Victoria to Port Hardy and back — in under 90 hours in the VanIsle 1200, a cycling event that tests the limits of physical and mental endurance.
Randonneuring is a bicycling sport that traces its roots to the late 19th century in Europe. Events are commonly called a brevet. Distances vary but are typically more than 200 kilometres with a large number at 1,200 km, the distance of a run from Paris to Brest and back. It is not a race, and cyclists receive equal recognition regardless of finishing order. Cyclists are expected to travel at an average speed of between 15 and 30 kilometres an hour. Riders arriving at a control point early will be asked to wait before they are allowed to carry on. In some instances riders want to have the distinction of being the last through the finish line to earn the Lantern Rouge award, which refers to the red lantern traditionally hung on the caboose of a railway train.
People are expected to be self-sufficient and carry spares with them. The only restriction on bicycle equipment is that they be human- powered and no more than a metre wide — this means couples can compete on tandem bicycles, recumbents or tricycles.
“The sport is about personal perseverance,” said Mike Croy, route co-ordinator of the event. “While you have to be in good shape to complete the distance, it is the mental fortitude that will get you to the end.”
This is the third time Victoria members of the B.C. Randonneurs Cycling Group, who number about 50, have organized the event, with a route that takes participants up and down the Malahat. Riders can choose to sleep in the open or pre-arrange accommodation.
“You got to have a plan,” said Ken Bonner, who have ridden in 370 brevets since 1988. The 71-year old, who had started off as a marathon runner, likens the sport to life. “You have to adapt and change in order to finish the way you want to.”
He said he enjoys the sport because he gets to meet interesting people and get to travel to other events. While this week’s VanIsle 1200 will attract about 50 people, events such as the Paris-Brest-Paris event, one of the oldest bicycling events still regularly run, boast up to 5,000 participants.
The riders will start off at 3 a.m. Monday from the Tim Hortons at Saanich Plaza, 3530 Blanshard St., and will finish, 64 to 90 hours later, at the Comfort Inn, 3020 Blanshard St. For more information, go to randonneurs.bc.ca.
Keep your brain sharp as a tack
Don’t forget to mark this on your calendar if you are 55 or older: Attend Memory PLUS (Practice Laughter and Useful Strategies) program at Silver Threads Service.
Memory loss is not an inevitable result of aging. The program is designed on the premise that regardless of a person’s age, they can always improve their cognitive function through daily activities, lifestyle and good health practices.
The four-week program is designed to help people 55 and older keep their minds engaged and sharp through conversation and connections. Just like summer camp, the last class will be an outing to a local park. Caregivers are welcome.
The program is offered by the Silver Threads Service, a registered charitable organization that strives to connect seniors to their communities by providing programs and services that build social connections. They have served the community since 1956.
There are four sessions to choose from. They cost $25. Sessions start this week. They run 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at St. George’s Church, 3909 St. George’s Ln. in Cadboro Bay; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Luke’s Church, 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Rd.; and 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Silver Threads Service Saanich Centre, 286 Hampton Rd. For more information, go to silverthreads.ca.
Their goal? A million pounds of food
Will you play hockey for food? In a hockey-loving country such as Canada, the answer is quite predictable. Five Hole For Food will be arriving in Victoria on Friday to do just that.
The charity tours the country, asking Canadians to support their local food banks with a game of ball hockey. All people have to do to join up for a game is to turn up with a hockey stick and a can of food.
The goal of the coast-to-coast road trip is to collect a million pounds of food after visiting 13 cities in 18 days. Victoria is the second-to-last stop of the event, which started in St. John’s, N.L., on July 2. This is the fifth year of the event, which collected over 4,300 kilograms of food last year.
The public is invited to bring their hockey stick to play in a drop-in ball hockey game and, if they dare, challenge charity founder Richard Loat and his crew in the face-off circle.
While there is no charge to play, participants and spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation. Volunteers from the Mustard Seed food bank will be on site to collect donations. The event runs 2 to 6 p.m. Friday at Saanich Plaza, 3530 Blanshard St. For more information, go to fiveholeforfood.com or mustardseed.ca.
Charity Golf Classic raises $50,000
The B.C. Ferries Media Charity Golf Classic has raised $50,000 for this year’s charity of choice, the Braefoot Community Association.
More than 150 media, corporate and government participants had a great day of golf at the Bear Mountain Golf Resort in June. Over the past nine years, the tournaments have raised more than $550,000 to support children’s programs.
“B.C. Ferries is proud of its association with Braefoot Community Association and the Media Charity Golf Classic,” said Mike Corrigan, B.C. Ferries president and CEO. “This tournament is a unique opportunity to bring together three distinct sectors of our economy in support of a very worthy cause — helping kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in organized sports.”
The annual tournament was co-founded by the Times Colonist’s Les Leyne and Global TV’s Keith Baldrey. The tournament combines a great day of golf with some of the top media personalities in B.C. with an opportunity to raise money for a great cause. For more information, go to braefoot.ca or bcferries.com.
Transit staff help out the Mustard Seed
Members of a union representing Greater Victoria bus drivers, mechanics and other staff served up a cheque for over $10,000 before cooking burgers for 300 people at the Mustard Seed Food Bank last week. The cheque was the culmination of cash donations during an earlier food drive and a golf tournament held in mid-June by the local’s 750 members.
“Unifor Local 333 is proud to be helping those in need in Greater Victoria through the great work of the Mustard Seed Food Bank,” said Ben Williams, president of the union. “This is a project of our Unifor Feeds Families initiative to assist our communities.”
The Mustard Seed is a non-profit organization that operates the largest food bank on Vancouver Island, providing food hampers throughout the week. For more information, go to mustardseed.ca.
Thanks for the bikes, Greater Victoria
In a month and a half, the lives of 448 Africans will change for the better thanks to the generosity of Victorians.
Bicycles for Humanity Victoria is part of a grassroots campaign to collect old and unwanted bikes and send them to where they will make an immediate and positive impact to others. Last week, a small army of dedicated volunteers sent off a shipping container packed with used bicycles and boxes of spare parts to Zomba, Malawi. This is the sixth container the local group has successfully filled. To date the charity has collected over 2,500 good used bikes.
“Each bike has the unique ability to help change a life, so 448 African lives will soon be changing for the better,” said Chris Wille, co-director of the group. “So many people said they would rather donate their used bike as opposed to trying to sell it on Used Victoria, but they did not know whom to contact or where to send it. It’s a heartwarming sight watching that container leave the yard, knowing in a few short months its contents will help to change peoples lives for the better halfway around the world.”
After a well-earned break, the group will once again gear up for another collection next spring. For more information, go to b4hvictoria.blogspot.ca.
Students the stars of anti-bullying video
Fifteen Victoria-area students are the stars in three documentary films that tackle issues of stereotypes, self-esteem and cyberbullying.
The students worked together with Reel Youth and United Way Greater Victoria to create #unspokenwords, Pinned Down and Crazy Stupid Ugly, to highlight serious issues facing youth.
“One of United Way’s priority areas is dedicated to helping youth succeed in school and make a smooth transition into adulthood,” said Catherine Schissel, director of community investment at United Way. “Having positive role models and strong relationships with peers as well as a safe place to express your feelings is important. Tackling serious issues through creative projects like these films has incredible power to create positive change in our community.”
Some of these students had recently taken Beyond the Hurt facilitator training, a peer-led education program by the Red Cross where youth harness their skills and talents for positive change to create healthy environments.
The United Way and Canadian Red Cross have had a long-lasting relationship, with the Red Cross one of the original organizations to receive funding from United Way in 1938. Groups interested in screening the films can receive a film package that includes posters, handbills, a template news release, screening DVDs, audience programs and voting ballots. For more information, go to reelyouth.ca/redcross2014.
