Cycling tour promotes healthy hearts
Heartland Tour in Cape Breton communities on Monday
A provincial heart health awareness cycling tour will roll through Cape Breton communities on Monday.
The objective of the Heartland Tour is to unify communities with a common goal of creating a healthier population while promoting awareness about the high health risks of heart disease and obesity.
The Cape Breton stop will be centred around activities at Open Hearth Park in Sydney but the tour will make stops in 13 areas as part of a round trip around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
“This year there will be all kinds of organizations participating and they’ll be there all day doing demonstrations for the kids and adults,” said Yolanda LeVert, the community leader for the Cape Breton portion of the ride.
“EHS will be at the park to do glucose testing and blood pressure testing. Really, it is going to be a fun event and people can come and go or stay all day.”
A bike draw, nutritional treats and giveaways are also part of the day. Activities from event participants include cross fit for kids and adults, a 9 a.m. walk, CBRM firefighter displays, the Canadian Armed Forces and other events.
LeVert said many people in the community have stepped up to make park related activities plentiful and interesting.
As for the tour stops, they’ll come every 15-20 km and include everywhere from George Street in Sydney, Commercial Street in Glace Bay and a lunchtime engagement in Port Morien.
There’s a group of about 20 cyclists in the core team that’s touring the province. In Sydney, an expected group of 25-30 is expected to take part and LeVert said others are encouraged to take the ride or interact with the group as they make their way across the community.
“We’ll be going around to make sure the public can see us ride throughout the communities and start asking questions,” she said. “‘Who are they and what are they doing?’”
Tour founder is Sydney native Dr. Nicholas Giacomantonio, a cardiologist at the QEII Health Sciences Centre and president of the Cardiac Cycle Society of Nova Scotia.
The tour priority is to increase awareness and grow family participation and understanding that obesity and high blood pressure trends are a threat to our children, families and the health care system.
Email leverty@ cbdha.nshealth.ca or go online to heartlandtour.ca for more information.