One of the best ways to see Norfolk County is to bike its picturesque, flat roads said many of the almost 600 cyclists who turned out for Le Tour de Norfolk on Sunday.
“This is a lovely area and very bicycle-friendly,” said Mariah Laroco, from the Durham region.
“I wanted to explore more ares in Ontario and those that exploring with your bicycle is the best way to do it. I’m glad I cam.”
Laroco was one of those helping to push competitive rider Jason Glover, from Ottawa, along the 160-kilometre route that took riders along the fields, farms and waterfront of the county.
“Most of my races are hilly, so this was a pleasant break,” said Glover.
Other riders agreed and expressed their enthusiasm for every part of the event.
“I love this ride,” said Heather Weilder, of Paris.
“The support, the rest stations, the markings of the road, the smooth pavement, the weather… it was all awesome!”
Weilder and her riding partner Robert Dicks brought a wicker hamper with a lunch of tuna sandwiches topped with tomato and fresh ground pepper to refuel with at the end of their 160 kilometres.
“It doesn’t get any better than that,” Weilder said.
Event coordinator Yvette Mahieu said the number of riders at the event is still lower than in pre-pandemic days but those who came were excited and happy to be out.
“Everyone is in a good mood here and, in the morning, at 6:30 am, people are waiting to get in and socializing. A lot of Toronto people come and say the volunteers are so friendly and the volunteers say the riders are so friendly.”
Mahieu said part of organizing a great riding event is ensuring excellent directions with colour-coded arrows on the roads through the county, having a system in place in case of cycle emergencies and keeping plenty of ice and Gatorade at the rest stops.
This year’s Le Tour souvenir biking shirts pay homage to the Belgians who settled in the Norfolk area in the 1940s and 50s, bringing their love of cycling with them. The shirt features a lion from the heritage of Flanders, Belgian, where many settlers came from, including Mahieu’s own parents.
@EXPSGamble