Velo's Challenge a Success for St. Peter's

Participants Cheryl Chandler and friend Anne were excited to take part in this event.
Cross the Highland Challenge group gather for final briefing before starting out.
Jacques Cote and Clifford Boudreau address the Velo challengers

Saturday July 17th, Velo's Cross the Highlands Challenge took St. Peter's by storm. 74 cyclists travelled from all over Nova Scotia to take the St. Peter's edition of the Challenge, coming from Halifax, Cheticamp, Antigonish, Port Hawkesbury and St. Peter's. The Challenge which was dividied into two routes, the shorter 25km route which took cyclists around Oban and back into town, and the longer 60km route over more challenging territory over Pringle Mountain then on to Cameron Mountain and back into the Villiage for the more experienced riders.

During conversations with the cyclists before the event, cyclists expressed excitement about the challenge. For some it was the first time they had attempted to take part in such a event of this size, and with cyclists with different degrees of experience. Others who had taken on this type of event before, shared that they were looking forward to a day of new terrain to test their ability. The comaradery was plain to see as cyclists mingled and chatted with each other before the event.

Excitement started to rise when everyone was called up to the starting line to receive the final briefing by Velo director Jacques Cote and welcoming words from The Municipality of Richmond Tourism, Culture and Recreation Director Clifford Boudreau then it was off on the Challenge. It was definitely an impressive sight to see as 74 members strong set out from the St. Peter's Fire Hall on their mountain bikes and proceeded on Toulouse Street to Grenville Street and paraded through the village westard to the Rankin residence where the group divided into two and set off on their Challenge.

Cyclists started arriving back at the Fire Hall around 2pm with the last cyclists coming in from the 60km trek around 5pm. Upon arrival at the Fire Hall they shared stories about the days adventure and heard some great fiddle tunes from The Cape Breton Heritage Coast's roving musician Kayla Bona. A BBQ was held for the cyclists and around 7pm the group dispersed. Challenge coordinators Richard McIntosh, of the St. Peter's chapter of Velo, and Jacques Cote of Velo Cape Breton were very pleased with the event saying everyone did great and completed their respective treks with no mishaps. Everyone is looking forward to next years event.

Congratulations to all those involved in the organizing of this super challenge, the weather was great, with an excellent turn out, and the event surpassed the expectations off all who took part.