A group of cyclists from around Windsor-Essex County made Amherstburg a stop on a Good Friday ride.
The ride was approximately 60 km in total and saw participants from the Windsor Cycling Crew go from the Ciociaro Club in Tecumseh to Flow Café and Bikes in Amherstburg and back. Ride organizer Mike Benard estimated that about 50 people participated.
“It was a little cold starting out in the morning,” he said.
Some riders stuck to gravel trails where possible, like local trails and greenways, with others sticking to road routes. Riders of all speeds and abilities took part, Benard pointed out.
“This was an old ride we’re reviving,” said Benard. “Since COVID, we have not done this.”
Noting it takes time to get everyone organized once again, Benard said they were pleased to put the ride on this year and plan to continue in the future.
“We love Amherstburg,” he said. “Some of our favourite stops are Downtown Espresso Café, Flow Café and the Waterfront Ice Cream Parlour.”The riders bring business to Amherstburg and they love doing that, he added.
The Windsor Cycling Crew is affiliated with the Windsor-Essex Bike Community (WEBC) and Benard stated the crew is excited to see the WEBC project that is ongoing at the Libro Centre. One bike trail has been completed, a second one is underway and a third WEBC trail is proposed for 2025.
Riders came from such locations as Tecumseh, Windsor, Kingsville and Lakeshore as well as Amherstburg, with the riders from Amherstburg driving to the Ciociaro Club, heading back into town, then going back to the Ciociaro Club where the ride was completed.
Rides are held by the Windsor Cycling Crew regularly, Benard added, with 10-15 per ride but the Good Friday ride was larger. A second ride was held on the weekend and that went from the Ciociaro Club to Holiday Beach Conservation Area.
Benard added he comes from Windsor to Amherstburg regularly and that he has been doing so for roughly 35 years.
“There’s something that keeps me coming,” he said.
Cyclists make Amherstburg their target for Good Friday ride
By Ron Giofu
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