Bramalea CycleFest 2015 was a success story in its first year.
Cyclefest Day Jun 27th and we are back at All Peoples Church bright and early for set up and kids bike distribution.
Pastor Finu is handing out the volunteer T-shirts. Everyone has a job to do, tables set, banners hung, tents up, post-event bike valet parking roped off.
Lindy from City of Brampton Parks and Rec and I spent several hours yesterday installing the course signs but there are plenty of other tasks that still need to be done.
The sky is grey and heavy rain is forecasted by noon, yet the mood is upbeat and everyone performs their jobs efficiently.
Head of volunteers Theresa and I brief the course volunteers and send them on their way to their posts, with encouragements to tweet and use social media!
Peel Police MPU Officers on bike patrol sign pick up their maps for the event. A permit has been obtained to close off the north end of Finchgate Blvd.
Councillor Jeff Bowman stops by to greet Pastor Finu and wish everyone well!
Cyclists sign in at the registration tent and get their maps, make donations and visit with friends and neighbours.
When the time comes we brief the riders so, hopefully, everyone knows where they are going. The pre-event nervous tension builds…
And then they are off!
The event was a huge success with everyone seeming to have a good time, even with the challenges of a few signs gone missing and, of course, the weather. Most of the riders were finished before the heavens opened and the rain poured down. The BBQ moved into the Church where riders shared stories!
Many of the children were new to cycling and many participants had never travelled before on Brampton’s beautiful Chinguacousy Trail, making this a unique event in Brampton and a very different experience than the week before at Bike the Creek!
Bramalea CycleFest 2015 Success Stats:
- How many attended? 128 Riders at the event. Approximately 300 in attendance for ride and celebration.
- How many bikes given away? 67 bikes + Helmets given away to children in the area
- How much money raised for charity? Sick Kids Foundation Online money raised: $2760 and Offline money raised: to be determined at least ($1000+)
Related Stories leading up to event day:
Bramalea CycleFest, Bramalea CycleFest Kids Helmet Giveaway, and Bramalea CycleFest Kids Bike Giveaway.
So, will we do it again, next year?