Essex bike tour gears up for Sept. 23

The sixth annual Essex Region Conservation Bike Tour Sept. 23 will include a sixth route on the new Cypher Systems Group Greenway trail from Essex to Amherstburg.

The bike tour includes a 15-kilometre beginner ride that starts at the Arner Townline, a 32-km intermediate ride that begins at the Harrow Community Entrance and a 64-km route along the Chrysler Canada Greenway trail.

There is also an 80-km Extreme Greenway ride that begins at the Sadler’s Pond Park Entrance in Essex.

Organizers say there’s a route for every fitness level and age.

The road routes include a 104-km advanced ride beginning and ending at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Centre in LaSalle and a 58-km road route will begin and end at the Essex County Demonstration Farm next to Holiday Beach Conservation Area.

There are rest stops with water, snacks and washrooms every 20 km or so along the road routes.

Both the trail and road routes lead to the Kingsville Train Station Community Entrance and the Mettawas Station Restaurant for lunch, which is included in the registration fee.

The pre-registration costs range from $30 to $40 per participant and there are family discounts for the two shortest Greenway routes.

There is no charge for children in bike trailers to be on the ride.

The tour offers a two-for-one discount to the Windsor Tandem Cycling Club so blind, partially sighted, deaf-blind and fully sighted cyclists can enjoy the cycling event.

The funds raised will support regional trails development and maintenance.

Bike Tour Ambassadors who help promote the event include the Essex Region Conservation’s 2016 Athlete of the Year Carrie Lee, Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo, Windsor Star fitness reporter Kelly Steele, Lakeshore Mayor Gary McNamara, and ERCA board chairman Rick Fryer.