I am writing to inform you and your homeowners' association about an exciting community event called Close To Home: The Tour of Hammonds Plains which will take place on Sunday, September 18. It is a cycling event which will include 25 km, 50 km and 100 km routes. The routes will begin and end at the St. Margaret’s Centre and will loop through local subdivisions. The 50 and 100 km routes will also use the newly widened shoulders of the Hammonds Plains Rd. What sets our event apart from all others is that we intend to support riders who wish to stretch themselves by perhaps riding on the road for the first time or riding farther than they ever have. The support will take the form of a summer of educational clinics for children and adults and free 'ride local' group rides which will include instruction and coaching. All educational events will be open to everyone, regardless of whether they plan to register to ride on September 18.
Local residents and motorists may be concerned about the effect of increased use of the roads by cyclists. We have given a great deal of thought to this issue. First, we will be spending the summer providing education, both on our website and Facebook page as well as during in person clinics and group rides. The information we offer will include correct placement of bicycles on the road, adherence to the rules of the road and safe bike handling. In addition, we will be highlighting the province's one metre rule and attempting to give motorists a sense of the challenges faced by cyclists, particularly on iffy road surfaces.
On the day of the event, the first group of cyclists will leave the St. Margaret's Centre at 8:30, followed by another group at 9:00 and another at 9:30. This will reduce the impact of a large group of cyclists setting off at once. We anticipate that the last cyclist will return to the centre at approximately 1:00 pm.
We have opted for a unique solution for route markings and are using a new product which consists of labels which are directly applied to the road surface. They have been designed to be environmentally friendly and use food safe adhesive and inks. The paper based labels will erode very quickly with moisture and road traffic. If necessary, they can also be removed with water and a wire brush. There will also be many 'cycling event in progress' signs erected along the route.
We will have marshals on course at tricky intersections and, in particular, at all places where the route intersects the Hammonds Plains Rd. We have planned three nutrition/water stops and have placed them in areas where they will not affect neighbours. These include behind the Martha's Pizza building, at the HPCC and at the old fire station at the top of the hill on Pockwock Rd.
There will be a finish line celebration at the Centre. Participants will receive a lunch from one of several food trucks and there will be a band. They will be encouraged to invite their family and friends to enjoy them to celebrate their success.
We hope that you will like and share our Facebook page with the members of your association. I would appreciate learning whether your organization has a Facebook page where I can post cycling tips and information on the educational opportunities which we will provide throughout the summer.
It takes a lot of volunteers to put on an event of this size and calibre. We would welcome initiatives from within the various homeowners groups to provide marshals for the turns in their neighbourhoods. We will provide volunteer training, safety clothing and a snack and lunch on the day of the event.
I have attached
a one page document which gives you a little more detail on our goals and the benefits we hope will accrue as a result of our efforts. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about the Close To Home event. It has been designed as a way to bring our communities together. We will work very hard to ensure that it doesn't create issues for the residents.
Chris Nielsen
Event Director
Close To Home: The Tour of Hammonds Plains
cnielsen@eastlink.ca
http://CloseToHomeCycling.ca
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CloseToHomeCycling/
