What a ride!

Hundreds of cyclists commandeered roads in Hants County this morning, July 26, as they made their way toward Wolfville for the 19th annual Nova Scotia RONA MS Bike Tour.

The two-day event in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada involved a 48-kilometre route stretching from Windsor to Wolfville with an optional 35K challenge route to Canning.

The “Vineyards and Valleys” Tour kicked off at Kings-Edgehill School at 8:45 this morning and within a half-hour, droves of cyclists pulled up to the tour’s first rest stop at the Saint Famille Winery in Falmouth. There wasn't any wine, but there was plenty of fluids and energy-boosting treats for riders who stopped to catch a second wind before moving on toward Hantsport.

“They take really good care of us,” said Donna Gilmore of Halifax. “The whole weekend is like a nice treat that the MS Society puts on for us.” She was sporting an official MS tour cycling shirt, which is awarded to those participants who reach the $1,000 mark for fundraising. “It's a nice little incentive,” Gilmore said.

All RONA MS Bike Tours boast good food, accommodations, entertainment, road support crews and awards for fundraising, said Tim Dunlop, Director of Development. “Participants don’t have to worry about a thing. This weekend is about having fun, meeting people, challenging yourself, and helping to end MS,” he said. It’s more than just a bike ride; it’s an experience.”

Dunlop said he was impressed with the turnout of 475 participants for this year’s tour.

A good dose of competition and camaraderie helped to boost spirits along the route. It was hard to miss the “Live Wire” Team from Halifax. That 20-member group sported unique blue and silver headgear and was, without a doubt, the most vocally enthusiastic cyclists to hit the Falmouth pit stop. “We are the undefeated Champions of the Best Team Spirit Award and we will win this year, too,” said team leader Peter McDowell.

Despite the threat of rain showers, the weather was cool and riders agreed the tour featured spectacular views of the countryside. Mike Baril and his children, Katlyn, aged 11 and Justin, aged 14, traveled all the way from Regina to take in the tour challenge. This was the family’s first trip to Nova Scotia and Baril said, from what they’ve seen so far, West Hants is absolutely beautiful.

Over 10,000 cyclists are expected to participate across Canada as the one and two-day tours take place over the summer and early fall. The cycling event raises over $8 million annually for individuals with multiple sclerosis. Common symptoms of MS include numbness, blurred vision, extreme pain and fatigue, loss of balance and paralysis.

“I ride the bike tour because after watching it as a volunteer for eight years, I wanted to be a bigger part of the fun and camaraderie,” says Shauna MacKinnon, 2008 RONA MS Bike Tour spokesperson. “It’s a way for me to raise money and awareness about a disease that can stop people in their tracks. I don’t want to be stopped ever, so I bike because I can.”

For more in-depth coverage of this event, check the Aug. 6, 2008 edition of The Hants Journal.