In February, Greg Rawson asked Cobourg Town staff for permission to stage a Criterium Bicycle race in Downtown Cobourg. Staff have now approved a route and date – no doubt subject to Council approval – that are different from the original. The route now includes King and Albert instead of Chapel and King. It also includes the heart of Downtown. The date is now Saturday August 11. See the map below – full details for participants are also available for download in the Links below. Criterium races are on a short loop course (1km) so cornering skill is important and they promise to bring excitement to Downtown Cobourg. Greg is also organizing a more conventional bicycle race starting in Baltimore – the “Ontario Cup Road Race” on May 12 – details in links.
Coincidentally, the Town of Cobourg today announced that Cobourg has recently received provincial recognition at the 10th Annual Ontario Bike Summit Awards with a Bronze Award as a new Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC). The announcement said that:
The Town of Cobourg achieved Bronze after having been engaged in the BFC Program for years and receiving Honourable Mentions in 2015. The Town of Cobourg took the feedback prepared by an expert panel of judges and put that feedback into action by creating new programs and projects to make cycling more accessible.
Contributing to the bicycle community is Cycle Transitions which is a volunteer run bicycle repair shop. They now have a new home at the old Works Department facility at 390 King Street West.
I would have thought that Cobourg would be a good place for bikes since it’s close to flat – there are a couple of bike clubs in Cobourg (look under Sports clubs on this page) and Greg seems to be putting Cobourg on the competitive bicycle map.
Below is Cobourg Gran Prix Map for August 11, 2018 – Greg says that “the Town of Cobourg, the DBIA and the Cobourg Police have all signed off on it.”
Links
- Download “Technical Guide” for Criterium race – pdf
- Initial announcement – Two Big Bicycle Events Coming to Cobourg 26 February
- Video describing Criterium Races
- Ontario Cup Road race – press Release
- Town’s announcement about Bicycle Friendly Community award
Update
At the Committee of the Whole Council meeting on Monday night (23rd April), Councillor Forrest Rowden presented the Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community Award to Bruce Bellaire of Cycle Transitions (left) and Laurie Wills (right) – Cobourg’s new Director of Works (effective the end of April). Bruce had made the submission for the award.
Print Article:
What a Joke!
Blocking the two main roads downtown? Someone stop this nonsense!!
Do not agree with your comments at all, Mr. Dice
This is what tourism is all about..maybe you can leave Cobourg for th e day and let everyone else enjoy this event.
Stop your nonsense!!
Looking at a Court Injunction, to prevent this “event” from completely blocking access to my property!
If “this is what tourism is all about” is it any wonder that many in Cobourg don’t want tourism?
Neither Myself, Or my employer benefit from “Tourism”.. But I am “Expected” to give up access to my own property, so this “special Interest group” can take over the town???
“Canada enacted the Bill of Rights in 1960. Like the Charter, it recognizes various rights of the individual. Unlike the Charter, it protects a right to the “enjoyment of property, and the right not to be deprived thereof except by due process of law.”
So I challenge the “Right” of the “tourists” to obstruct All access to my own Property!
Our lawyer says that we have a good case for an injunction, under the Bill of Rights; as this is not the “only” location that this event could be held, but the only one that restricts our right to “enjoyment of property”
OMG!
Call the UN to send peacekeepers!
Calling your bluff. Do it.
Hi Dice,
As mentioned previously, I’d appreciate it if you contacted me directly for clarification. We’re not looking to block access to your property. You’ll be able to come and go as you please. We’ve created a schedule that allows all residents on the course to come and go between races that last roughly 45-60 minutes. That means that you’ll be able to come and go roughly 7 times throughout the day.
Greg
Many, but not the majority. Get used to it.
Hi Dice,
I’d love the opportunity to sit down with you in person. I think it would be great if I had an opportunity to chat with you about the event and your concerns. This event is going to feature provincial and national team athletes that represent our province and our country at the international level. Once you have a better understanding of this event, I think you’ll change your attitude.
Please contact me via cell – 289-980-2843.
Greg
Looking forward to this event…..love the Tour and bike racing in general.
Will even spend some $ downtown. Congratulations on bringing this event to Cobourg.
Great opportunity for tourist images. The selection of King St W provides video/cam images of our lush tree canopy facing east. Imagining one or more of the contestants will be outfitted with a GoPro, travelling down King, framing Victoria Hall Clock Tower in the centre of the shot. I hope Cobourg Tourism will perch a camera to catch the action at King/Third from a nearby roof, especially looking south down Third with the town hall and harbour in the backdrop. Bring out the cow bells, whistles, horns, kazoos, trumpets, rattles and holler. And remember it’s all about corners, crashes and crowds; https://youtu.be/dswuWTOcovI
Hi Wally! Thank you for the positive feedback! I’m going to be hiring a videographer to do a highlight of the whole event including athlete interviews, GoPro etc. I’m sure we’ll be able to create something that truly showcases Cobourg!
In that case, Cobourg Tourism should be designing a couple or more FEEL GOOD banners to line the route. “Cobourg feels good like Criterium should”. Or have a bunch of people with reusable “feel good” placards around the route. Pump up the propaganda.