Inspired by a ‘Slow Roll’ event held in Detroit, Community Living Wallaceurg is bringing their own version of the event North of the border.
Organizers say 3Rivers Roll is an hour long (13 km) bicycle route through western Wallaceburg with a slow, relaxed pace. It is being held on Wednesday, July 19 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
It’s not a race, but a slow roll through various neighborhoods of Wallaceburg.
“My sister invited me down (to the Slow Roll in Detroit) and it is an event that in seven years has gone from 50 people to 5,000 people every single Monday night,” said Kevin Cavanagh, a local funeral director and the president of the Community Living Wallaceburg board of directors.
“The thing I noticed about it was that it was completely inclusive. It’s just people on bicycles. There is no colour, race religion, or no politics. It is just people on bikes having a good time and enjoying the music.”
Cavanagh said with being on the board of Community Living, he thought what could be more inclusive than something like this.
“So we decided to call it 3 River’s Roll because in the basin here we are standing in front of three rivers and that use to be the old coat of arms for Wallaceburg. We came up with that name and we are hoping we can get tons and tons of people out and have a slow rolling party.”
All bicycles, all ages, and all abilities are welcome.
Organizers are encouraging people to bring their own music, decorate their bike and join in the fun.
People are gathering at the Wallaceburg Library parking lot at 6:30 p.m., and will be departing at 7 p.m. and arriving back at the Library to continue the tailgate party around 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. People are being asked to park in the old Liquidation World parking lot, across from the post office.
Lisa Caron, communications & fund development specialist for Community Living Wallaceburg, said the event will be escorted by the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
“We will have a safe route and everybody will be together,” she said.
Nobody will get left behind. It’s a nice leisurely pace and a free event, bring a bottle of water. Wear sunscreen. Hat, helmet and obey the rules of the road.”
Alisha Allaer, communications & fund development associate for Community Living Wallaceburg, said they are hoping to have another one in a month on August 16.
“If all goes well… we are in the process of applying for our next one,” she said.
“So we are hoping that we will have the approval by the next two weeks and then we can push that one. This first one is just kind of figuring out what the popularity of it will be, the success, how many people we are looking at. We are hoping it can become a fundraiser and kind of go along with sponsors.”
Allaer added: “We are just starting out with community building, getting everyone together with a bike and driving around Wallaceburg seeing a lot of the great things that we have to offer.
They are looking for eight to 10 skilled cycling volunteers to assist with crossings.
For more details visit: http://getintocommunityliving.com/3rivers-roll/
Join the #3Riversroll bike party! July 19, 6:30pm – Library Parking Lot. This is just a taste of the fun you can expect! pic.twitter.com/Q6xFs4SpUC
— CL Wallaceburg (@CLWallaceburg) 7 July 2017
Here is the event poster:
– Photo credit: Dana Haggith
