Oak Bay Bike Festival, Saturday, Sept 22, Willows Beach Park

[Lister Farrar]

Oak Bay Recreation is hosting the inaugural Oak Bay Bike Festival Saturday, Sept 22 at Willows Beach, 10-2, as part of ParticipAction's Sports Day in Canada.

There will be a 6km Family Ride, lead by Mayor Nils Jensen and London bronze medallist Gillian Carleton, on Beach Drive (rolling closure from Willows to north Uplands Gates and back), displays, try-it opportunities, a police rodeo for kids, and more.

Tripleshot has volunteered to lead group rides for those wanting more than the 6km. We'd like to have an A, B and C group much like we normally do, and would like two experienced club members to lead each group. Rides would start at 10, and be less than 2 hours so riders can enjoy the rest of the festival.

We expect the level of rider will be slower than our normal rides, so keeping up shouldn't be a problem. We want to present a good image of a responsible group ride; stick together, avoid blocking traffic, and generally being responsible road users.

Who's in?

Sponsors include ParticipAction, Oak Bay Bikes, Oak Bay Active transportation, Oak Bay Recreation, Bike to Work Week.

[DavidB]

I'd be interested in helping out however.

[Lund]

I can help out with one of the A or B groups. Or whatever.

[Lister Farrar]

Thanks guys. How about some women?

[Andrew]

I can help!

[Lund]

Andrew...the timing of your reply seems rather unfortunate.

[John D]

Truth be told, the prospect of Calgary Steve ponying up to lead out an introductory "newbie ride" seemed pretty funny too...(ahem) Andrew's gender revelation bombshell aside.

[Lund]

A little Baptism by Fire never hurt anybody. Not permanently, anyway.

[rhughes]

I can help if you are still looking for volunteers.

Ritchie

[Lister Farrar]

Thanks Ritchie. Definitely can use you. Would be great to have 6, 2 for each of an A B and C group.

[Andrew]

Andrew...the timing of your reply seems rather unfortunate.

Note to self, read the whole string before hitting reply!! I laughed so hard when I saw this..

[Lister Farrar]

We also need volunteers to marshal the community ride, from 10-12. The route starts at Willows beach park, and goes north on Beach to the north gate to uplands, does a u-turn and comes back tot he park. 6 km. The police are using a rolling closure, but need volunteers to act as a presence to staff the barricades at crossings.

I'm in a meeting today to determine the the number, but google maps suggest there are 15 or 16 places we should have a marshal.

[Lister Farrar]

PS
The community ride is a great opportunity to support the Oak Bay police who are supporting the ride, and need volunteers. We know they have had some concerns about our morning rides.

Can I suggest volunteering for this and the police safety rodeo for kids (4 needed for that), might be a really good move to show our good will?

L

[DavidB]

I can help!

[FairweatherMike]

Hi, Lister -

Good on ya for doing this - I'll try to show up to assist along with the newest road cyclist in our family: my wife Dorothy. (There you go - both genders represented)

[FairweatherMike]

Lister - also sent you a PM re skills development course - FYI

[Lister Farrar]

Hi all:
Oak Bay Police have confirmed we need 11 marshals for the community ride. This will be an easy job: meet at Willows park at 9:30 on your bike, pick up a vest and paddle and instructions, ride to an intersection, for maybe a hour tops (how long can 6 km really take?). Then come back and enjoy the exhibits.

Who's in? Remember, brownie points for the club for helping the mayor and police.

Marshals

• Brenna P (plus coaching cyclocross)
  Dorothy
  Mike
  Shawn
  need 7more

Police kids rodeo

• need 4 to shepherd kids. Police will provide the equipment and lead it.

Ride leaders

• Andrew A
  Steve Lund
  Ritchie
  John D (didn't actually volunteer but got volunteered for mocking Andrew's thread reading thoroughness )
  Bill or his drag double Wilhemena (Pookie, is this a chance to reprise that famed stag night? Or whatever it was...)
  need 1 more

Cyclocross course and coaching (edit. Set up at 7, unless we get lots o folks, 8:30 if lots come)

• David B
  Need 3 more for set up

[Rolf]

I'm sorry I can't help out, Lister: I'll be in Vancouver this weekend. But I often end up post-ride with Mayor Jensen in the change room at work and let him know how grateful Tripleshotters are to help encourage more cycling in Oak Bay. (I also (gently) bug him about surface conditions on Beach Drive!)

Thanks for putting Tripleshot on the front, Lister!

[bill]

I will be there and as what ever gender is needed.
Bill

[shawnc]

Lister: I'll help marshal.

I've asked Alysha and a couple of family members if they could come out too. I'll let you know if they can.