Yorkregion.com - Vaughan - Riding: Italian style
Riding: Italian style
Vaughan
May 22, 2008 08:44 PM
By: Michael Power
It’s charity cycling with an Italian spin.
So much so that the third-annual Giro T.O. bike ride — a non-competitive fundraising event for Villa Charities — snakes it way through Italian communities in Toronto and Vaughan in the outline of Italy.
“The route is in the shape of a boot,” Laura Dal Bo said, Villa Charities Foundation’s executive director.
The ride kicks off May 25 at the Columbus Centre at Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue. From there, the route goes through some of Toronto’s Italian neighbourhoods.
Riders can choose between a full 65-kilometre ride or a shorter, 35-km course. Both routes take participants to Villa Colombo Vaughan Long-Term Care Home, Villa Charities’ newest project at 10443 Hwy. 27, north of Major Mackenzie Drive.
There is rest stops along the route and refreshments served by sponsors and Italian-Canadian social clubs. The event ends with a barbecue at Villa Colombo Vaughan.
“In typical Italian fashion, there wouldn’t be a route without some food,” Ms Dal Bo said.
This year, she said they hope to raise $70,000 through the ride, to top last year’s amount of $65,000.
The Villa Charities Foundation is a member of the Villa Charities family of organizations, which includes Villa Colombo Vaughan.
The foundation raises support for its charity organizations for services sensitive to the needs of seniors in the Italian community.
The organization also helps those with intellectual disabilities.
This year, The Vaughan Citizen is a sponsor of the ride.
Riders, who must be older than 18 to participate, pay a $50 registration fee.
The event is inspired by Il Giro d’Italia, a bicycle race held in May.
Although far less gruelling than its 3,500-km European counterpart, Giro T.O. still sees some well-conditioned riders hit the streets, Ms Dal Bo said.
“We have some very experienced riders who could probably do it in under an hour,” she said.
Last year, one of the first riders to complete the route was over 70 years old, Ms Dal Bo noted.
The event starts at 8 a.m. and most riders are expected to finish the route by noon. For more information on the ride, visit villacharities.com or call 416-789-7011, ext. 242.