Registration is coming up quickly for this year’s Bike for Life Century Ride.
Online registration opens Monday, June 2 at 6 a.m. for the Saturday, Sept. 13 ride.
City council heard a presentation from Roger Beardmore about the annual event that starts at Blackburn Park.
The ride offers three longer routes (35, 75 and 100 kilometres), as well as a 10-km ride for families with children, or novices.
Beardmore said the event had about 600 participants last year and organizers are hoping to see it grow this year by at least another 100. He noted about 100 of the participants were from Salmon Arm, but the majority came from other communities in the province, as well as from Alberta.
“In terms of showcasing the Shuswap, it’s certainly bringing people in from out of town and puts our community on a pedestal,” said Beardmore.
The event, Beardmore emphasized, is not timed, but a fun ride where the main emphasis is on participation. There was concern there may be construction at Blackburn Park that might hinder its use as the main venue, but city staff confirmed no such work would be occurring there during the summer.
Beardmore also asked that the city do a pothole check prior to the event, explaining “there are definitely some rim-crushers out there” that could be a hazard for younger and/or less experienced riders.
“We’ll see how we can work with staff to make that the best run you’ve had,” said Mayor Nancy Cooper.
For more on Bike For Your Life, visit www.bikeforyourlife.com.
The $25 adult registration fee ($50 for families, $5 for children 18 and under) includes a barbecue lunch hosted by the Shuswap Lady Striders, live local entertainment and draw prizes.
The 2012 and 2013 rides raised more than $8,300 for the Salmon Arm Second Harvest Food Bank.