Bike Kingsville launches monthly rides

By Mark Ribble

KINGSVILLE — When Justin Lafontaine informed Lori Newton that he was moving to Kingsville, she was sad to lose a board member.

Lafontaine is a board member of Bike Windsor Essex and Newton is the Executive Director of the organization.

“I thought I was losing a board member,” said Newton. “But having Kingsville rides are a dream come true.”

Newton was speaking to a crowd of about 30 riders who gathered at the Carnegie Arts & Visitor Centre Parkette in Kingsville on Saturday, July 10 for the first Bike Kingsville event.

Lafontaine recently moved to Kingsville and brought with him the desire to see Kingsville’s cycling community bloom.

“This was definitely a team effort,” said Lafontaine. “It’s about celebrating the community.”

Lafontaine says that Kingsville is an ideal place where the cycling community can really thrive, with infrastructure in place and more planned in the near future.

From left are Lori Newton, Karen Loney, Justin Lafontaine and Mayor Nelson Santos.

“Kingsville is at the top in terms of opportunity for cyclists,” he said. “With climate and topography unmatched from a cycling perspective.”

Saturday’s event is the first of four planned this year, as the group intends to ride on the second Saturday of each month in July, August, September and October.

Kingsville’s Manager of Recreation and special Events, Karen Loney, was excited for the event and showed her appreciation for Bike Windsor Essex.

“I’ve had the real privilege of working with people who worked to bring Bike Kingsville together,” she said.

The group ranges from novice cyclists to people who ride every day and, according to Newton, it doesn’t matter how fast you go.

“We ride as fast as the slowest rider,” she says, noting that nobody is left behind.

Kingsville Mayor, Nelson Santos, talks with cyclists before the event.

SUN photos

Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos was on hand and was happy to see the great turnout.

“We’re glad to be partners with Bike Kingsville,” he said. “It’s great to take advantage of our infrastructure, trails and the County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS).”

Santos noted that riders would be able to take advantage of the exceptional dining that Kingsville has to offer after their monthly ride.

The group underwent a quick bike clinic where they could get their bikes checked by experts on site, and then embarked on their journey which led from the Carnegie Centre out to Cedar Beach and back, before departing again to Ruthven and back.

The group utilized the CWATS routes and municipal roadways.

Cyclists are encouraged to take a photo and post to social media with the hashtag #BikeKingsville to be entered into a draw for a free night stay at the Grove Hotel and an ebike rental.

If you’d like to join, show up on August 14 at 10 am ready to ride or visit bikewindsoressex.com.