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Cycling through Cornwall for a Great Cause

July 31, 2017
By Adriana Conti

Cornwall Ontario – The Friends for Life Bike Rally will once again be spending a portion of their inspiring journey along Cornwall’s scenic Waterfront Trail.

The rally is a 6-day cycling journey that starts in Toronto and ends in Montreal. The 2017 rally seeks to raise $900,000 for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation.

With over 600 kilometers to complete in just 6 days, the rally is a great challenge for anyone. Cyclists begin training in April, however the group of volunteer organizers work year-round to ensure all of the logistics for the event are in place. The entire group counts on each other to make it all the way to the finish.

“The Friends For Life Bike Rally is a fundraising event like no other where every participant – whether you’re a rider or crew member – support, encourage, and motivate each other,” says Jeffrey Graham, Co-Lead of Media and Communications for the Bike Rally. “We are cycling as one community – a Bike Rally village – all striving to make a difference in the lives of people who depend on the services and programs of the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation.”

125 colourful cyclists are scheduled to ride into Cornwall on Thursday August 3rd. The Cornwall leg will be day 5 of the rally and the group will be completing 104 km total to cross our area. They will have their first break at Morrisburg Beach Park, have lunch at Milles Roches Island, and finally have their second break at the Cornwall Aquatic Centre until heading to Glengarry Park Campground for the night.

“We are happy that the Friends for Life Bike Rally takes time each year to stop and enjoy Cornwall’s waterfront,” says Councillor Carilyne Hébert. “On behalf of City Council, I am happy to extend the warmest of welcomes to the cyclists and support team.”

Cornwall’s waterfront route has drawn rave reviews from participants in the past, and the group looks forward to passing through our area.

“We have always received a warm welcome as we ride through the city,” says Mr. Graham. “From people cheering for us as we pass by, to complete strangers handing us donations and water – it is really encouraging and motivating. As well, the scenery along the bike paths throughout Cornwall is some of the nicest along our route.”

After cycling through Cornwall, the cyclists are set to stop at the Dairy Queen in Lancaster, where a portion of sales will be donated to the PWA.

About PWA’s Friends For Life Bike Rally

Every July for the past 19 years hundreds of cyclists and crew depart from Toronto on a 6-day, 600 km journey to Montréal for PWA’s Friends For Life Bike Rally. This annual fundraising event has raised more than $16 million dollars and is the sustaining fundraiser for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA). The funds raised through the Bike Rally enable PWA to provide critical services and support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto.

The Bike Rally is considered the largest AIDS fundraiser in Canada.  In order to ride, all participants are required to raise a minimum of $2500.

For more information, please follow the following links:

About Cornwall’s Recreational Path and the Waterfront Trail

Cornwall’s recreation path forms an integral part of the Waterfront Trail, which is a 740 km series of interconnected trails mainly along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The Cornwall portion is 25 km in length and offers amazing river views, while connecting people to a number of attractions including Lamoureux Park, Cornwall Civic Complex, Cornwall Curling Centre, Cornwall Aquatic Centre, Cornwall Community Museum, the St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre and the historic Cornwall Canal. It also connects the Gray’s Creek Conservation Area in the east to Guindon Park in the west.

You can learn more on the City website at www.Cornwall.ca.

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