The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Williams Lake’s 25-year-old Tour de Cariboo fundraiser completed its final ride Sept. 8.
Melissa Newberry, the longtime organizer of the ride and an executive director of BBBSWL, said they were uncertain about what type of ridership they would attract with the 25th and final event, however, Newberry said they ended up having 39 registered riders complete the race, right in the middle of their lowest turnout, 20, and their highest, 108.
This year the Tour de Cariboo raised $38,100, with rider Nicole Brandson raising $10,220 alone.
“There was a lot of energy during the ride and a lot of interesting stops along the way,” Newberry said. “When they stopped at Big Lake for lunch, there was a crew that went to the pub and had lunch, but then we also had the riders who just got it done, they did the whole ride and then they were finished.”
READ MORE: It’s been quite a ride for Tour de Cariboo
As for results, Ann Carter came in first place for women over 50 with a time of three hours and 22 minutes, with Scott Gordon clocking two hours and 49 minutes in men over 50.
For women under 50, Danika Robson clocked in at three hours 18 minutes, with the distinction of being the first woman over the line. Kamloops native Bryce Granger finished in two hours and 38 minutes in the men’s over 50 class and was the first man over the finish line overall.
Newberry was also quite happy to see plenty of young riders attended the final event, with the youngest in the pack being just 16. It doesn’t change the reality that the ride’s core membership had aged and shrunk, however.
“It was a sad day, and an emotional day because you’re sort of passing up 25 years of experiences,” Newberry said. “I had a couple of comments out at Gavin Lake where people said this is the only event they’d been to that was a fun race and had a community spirit to it.”
A lot of this, she feels, was down to the dinner and reception they’d hold after the race. Riders would get a chance to sit down and talk with one another and bond over the shared experience rather than simply complete the ride and then go home.
The average lifespan of a fundraising event, according to Newberry, is usually five years making the Tour de Cariboo exceptional in her eyes. However, due to the amount of work the organization would put into organizing it combined with the steadily declining amount of participating riders, Newberry said they had to end it for financial reasons.
READ MORE: Wildfires cancel Tour de Cariboo fundraiser for Big Brothesr Big Sisters of Williams Lake
Newberry said they are still developing a replacement for the event and said they’d like to continue to host something at Gavin Lake to support the area. However, at this time any such replacement event is only in its conception stage.
“We were thinking maybe, in a couple of years, we could do a commemorative ride for those who took part in the Tour de Cariboo over the years and who’d want to be a part of something like it again,” Newberry said.
Ultimately, Newberry said she lays the credit for Tour de Cariboo’s 25-year success at the feet of the people of Williams Lake. The people of the town never cease to astound her with their generosity towards non-profits such as BBBSWL, something that makes Newberry proud to live in Williams Lake.
sports@wltribune.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter