The Hub & Spoke August 2024

Aug 2

The Hub & Spoke: August Cycling News

THE HUB & SPOKE

AUGUST 2024

JULY was a busy month for events, starting off with Red Mud Mountain Mayhem on July 7th at Brookvale, with a near-record high of 97 registrants! Credits to Mark Creamer for this great action shot showing Red Mud worthy of its name. The month continued with the Don Harris Memorial Rides on July 13, two HopOn Bikefests in Stratford and Montague, and the newly-minted Cardigan Sweater MTB race on July 28th. Find all race results on our website.

Upcoming Cycling Events

This Weekend:
CANOE COVE TIME TRIAL AND ROAD RACE

The Canoe Cove Time Trial and Road Race are the provincial road championships for PEI!

The Time Trial takes place on Saturday evening starting at 6pm, and the Road Race takes place Sunday starting at 11am.

You can register for just one of these events or for both (you get a $10 discount when registering for both).

We are pleased to be able to open these events to anyone with a Cycling PEI membership (Recreational or higher), or a membership in another Canadian provincial cycling association.

First-time time trial or road race participants get $30 off registration!

The Road Race on Sunday will be followed by a free BBQ!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to substandard road conditions on part of the traditional road race and time trial course, the route has been modified to an 18.2km course around Rocky Point this year. See the Racer Information document for more information.

Click here to register for either event.

SATURDAY AUGUST 17:
DUSTY RED GRAVEL GRINDER

Recipient of Cycling PEI’s 2022 Event of the Year Award, the Dusty Red Gravel Grinder is now an annual tradition, returning for its third year on Saturday, August 17 (rain day Sunday, August 18).

This event is sponsored by Ted’s Bicycle Studio, featuring different rides of varying length (17, 36 and 78km) exploring the gravel of eastern Queens County. All rides start and end at Ted’s Bicycle Studio at 26 Hollis Avenue in Stratford.

Gravel or mountain bikes recommended. E-bikes are welcome for "Little Dusty" or "Mini Dusty."

There will be prize giveaways from Ted's Bicycle Studio!

Lunch to be served post-ride back at Ted's!

Registration $20 for Mini and Little Dusty, $30 for Big Dusty. CPEI members get $5 off!

Learn more and register here.

Two ways to get involved in PEI’s largest annual cycling event
- the Gran Fondo (Aug 23-25)!

The PEI Gran Fondo is PEI’s largest annual cycling event, attracting hundreds from across Canada and beyond to experience the best of PEI by bike. Now in its 11th year, the Gran Fondo also raises money to support local youth cycling and cycling safety initiatives. This year, Gran Fondo PEI gave away $5000 to local organizations to run youth programs, get bikes and safety equipment into the hands of people who need it, and to help raise awareness of the toll taken by collisions between vehicles and cyclists and pedestrians.

This year, there are more ways to get involved in this exciting event!

VOLUNTEER

Gran Fondo wouldn’t be possible without the support of dozens of volunteers each year, helping with everything from nutrition stops to mechanical support and photography. Volunteers also get perks like free rides and Fondo merch!

Sign up now to be part of the action at www.granfondo-pei.ca/get-involved

RIDE!

This year, for the first time, Gran Fondo is making it possible to register for individual Friday and Sunday rides. These include

26 km Deep Roots Distillery Ride (Friday)
58 km Farm and Cottage Ride (Friday)
94 km Victoria by the Sea Ride (Friday)
58 km inland route out to China Point

Individual Friday and Sunday rides are just $60, or $85 with a great lunch included! Experience the thrill of riding with cyclists from far and wide and see the beauty PEI on two wheels.

Register today at www.granfondo-pei.ca!

Tour de Cabot (Labour Day Weekend)

A three-day epic adventure in one of the most beautiful parts of our country. Averaging approx. 100km per day at your own pace with support vehicles. This annual excursion to Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail, organized by Mark Bowlan, is back for another year!

The ride takes place over the Labour Day long weekend. The $220 registration fee includes campsite and national park fees, breakfasts and dinners, support vehicles, and transportation of gear between campsites.

Learn more and Register here

Call for 2025 Canada Games Staff Applications

From August 9 - 24, the 2025 Canada Games will take place in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. We are excited to be building the Provincial Staff Team that will support our athletes at the Games, and are inviting all those interested and qualified in the various staff positions to contact us!

Please note that all of the positions below are unpaid volunteer positions. All expenses incurred in carrying out this role will be reimbursed. Team staff will get free travel and accommodation to Newfoundland in 2025, front-row seats at the Canada Games, and an unforgettable life experience!

Summary of open positions

FOR OUR ROAD TEAM (AUGUST 9-16)

Coach
Manager
Mechanic
Max of 8 athletes

FOR OUR MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM (AUGUST 18-24)

Coach
Manager or Mechanic
Max of 6 athletes

Please click here for role descriptions and qualification criteria for each role.

TO APPLY:

To apply for a role, please send an email to hp@cyclingpei.org with a resume and cover letter indicating which role(s) and team(s) you would like to apply for, and outlining your interest in and qualifications for the role(s).

Applications will be reviewed and applicants contacted for interviews on an ongoing basis until all positions have been filled. We are aiming to have all positions filled by September 30, 2024.

Help Build Out PEI’s Bike Rack Network!

The Province of PEI wants to hear from you through a new province-wide bike rack survey.

Help create a comprehensive, province-wide map of bike racks across Prince Edward Island by sharing your thoughts. This will help make PEI bike-friendly for everyone.

Tell us the location of bike racks and make suggestions for new locations and improvements. Responses are anonymous and confidential.

Click here to get started!

Youth on Board: Opportunities for Rural High School Students!

As a participating non-profit last year (and perhaps this year as well), Cycling PEI would like to recommend the Youth on Board program to rural high school students!

The Youth-on-Board Program is an opportunity for 25 rural PEI high-school students to be part of a rural non-profit board to inspire youth volunteerism in rural communities, learn how a board or council operates, and build the capacity of non-profit boards and municipal councils to engage with youth.

Participating youth receive up to a $500 honorarium for their participation in board meetings and activities.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/youth-on-board-program

Other Community Cycling Events

This year, the Summer 55+ Games are being hosted in West Prince (Alberton, Tignish and O'Leary) , and it will include a cycling event!

Event Details:

Date and Time: Wednesday, September 18 @ 1:00 PM
Location: Tignish Bicentennial Park
Distance: 10 KM
Cost: $7
Age Requirement: 55+
Tracking: All participants will keep track of their start and end times
Awards: Medals for the first 3 to finish
- Gold, Silver and Bronze

For more information, please see the 55+ Games website

Thursday Night Confederation Trail Ride

Everyone is welcome to join a group that meets Thursday evening’s at 6:30 p.m. to ride a section of the Confederation Trail.

We meet at different locations along the Trail every week. Whether you are getting back to cycling after many years or are a regular rider this is a great opportunity to ride with others and enjoy the wonderful Confederation Trail. If you don’t have a bike a new Trek hybrid bike is available for you to try. Also, if you are feeling a bit worried about cycling an experienced rider will help you along the way. If interested please contact Ruth DeLong - email ruthedelong@gmail.com or call 902-394-1645.

Note: This is not a CPEI-sanctioned ride (not covered by our insurance), but we’re happy to help spread the word!

Cycling PEI