METEGHAN CENTRE, N.S. — BY CARLA ALLEN
Accolades are pouring in for the Gran Fondo Baie Sainte Marie that was held on Sept. 22.
Sunshine, ideal cycling temperatures, plus a powerful volunteer force made for a hugely successful experience.
This was the fifth year for the Gran Fondo, the largest cycling event in Atlantic Canada, which provides a choice of five routes for participants.
Larry Peach, tourism manager for the Municipality of Clare and marketing coordinator for the Gran Fondo, says the weather was perfect and the "great big smiles were contagious."
"It's such a high being involved on the ground with this event," he said. "We have such an amazing team of organizers, volunteers, sponsors and community members who rally together to create a world class cycling and cultural event."
He added that their social media is "exploding with rave reviews".
Organizers expect continued growth for next year's ride on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020.
STATS:
• Grand total of meals served : 1,321
Veggie 76
Pork 261
Lobster 984
• Participants par route (estimate):
Super 161 km = 90
Gran 118 km = 185
Mezzo 88.5 km = 170
Medio 67 km = 300
Piccolo 35 km = 250
Although not a race, the top times for each:
• Super 161 km:
(m) Nicolas Muise, Yarmouth 04:42:13
(f) Kimberley Myles, Allendale, NJ 05:49:34
• Gran 118 km:
(m) Daniel Wilson, Toronto, ON 03:08:05.
Second edition Steven Jeddry, Meteghan 03:21:31
(f) Margarett Jones, Groton, CT 04:01:45
• Mezzo 88.5 km:
(m) Ethan McNutt, Valley, NS, 02:47:16
(f) Kayla Murphy, Eastern Passage, NS 03:13:45
• Medio 67 km:
(m) J.P. Richards, Hammonds Plains, NS 02:07:40
(f) Sarah Robertson, Hammonds Plains, NS 02:13:25
• Piccolo 35 km:
(m) Ian White, Milton Highlands, NS 01:09:12
(f) Jaime Hatfield, Cedar Lake, NS 01:18:55
• Visitor origins of 1,072 registrations:
822 NS including 155 from Clare
250 from outside NS
127 NB; 30 PEI; 26 ON; 24 QC; 10 Alberta; 4 BC; 2 Yukon
23 USA, 4 Europe
