HeartLand Tour is where riders and awareness meet

BY BRENT FOX

bfox@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

The second annual HeartLand Tour is scheduled to take place this summer, with the Valley event in the Wolfville area in July.

The message is, “Nova Scotians need to change their lifestyles in order to lower their risk of developing heart and vascular disease.”

This year, the HeartLand Tour will include a core of more than two dozen riders taking part in rides in eight communities around the province. Local cyclists at each event will join them. Some of those local riders who could take part in the event include Marvin Messom and Jim Legge.

Messom said the reason why he cycles is for health. A bypass operation in recent years left him feeling that he had been “reborn. I could feel the difference” immediately and he wants to retain that health. Part of his health regime is to cycle five miles a day.

Legge said, “I’ve done it for years,” and he continues to help ensure his future health.

The July 12 ride includes a HeartSmart community fair at the Wolfville Farmers’ Market that morning and noontime. There will be CPR and other demonstrations as well as a kids’ bike rodeo.

The Valley ride begins at the Old Gymnasium at Acadia University at 9 a.m. Riders can register there, with the registration form available at www.heartlandtour.ca

There will be three routes from which to choose. The short one is 20 kilometres in the Port Williams area; the second, 55 km, also around Port Williams. The longest route, 100 km, includes the others, but will extend to Look Off to Hall’s Harbour and back to Port Williams and Wolfville. Those not wishing to chance the busy bottleneck across the Port Williams dyke back to Wolfville can take a shuttle from the Port Bistro.

Organizer cardiologist Dr. Howard Wightman said, “we hope to get more people involved and demonstrate how great a biking area the Valley is. We’d like to see 100 riders.” Acadia professor Dr. Richard Sparkman is the other coordinator.

Wightman noted that the event is not a fundraiser, but is meant to raise awareness on preventing heart disease.

Cycling safety

Cycling isn’t all about heart health, either Wightman noted. A cyclist, Wightman cautions that motorists should be made aware that they must keep an eye out for riders on the road.

“Most drivers don’t understand that cyclists can’t hear them approaching,” Wightman said. The wind is too strong. Motorists should sound the horn to let them know they are there.

As well, when passing, it’s a good idea to ensure the three-foot rule. Wightman suggested the Transportation Department erect signage encouraging the public to take greater care around cyclists.

Besides the website, information is also available at Cardiac Associates at 678-1411.