Ride for Real Food - Bike-a-thon Information
Ride for
Real Food
Bike-a-thon
- Raise money to open our non-profit local food store! These Riders have already started.
- Enjoy a scenic ride through Toronto parks to The Living City Farm at Kortright, farmed by Matchbox Garden & Seed Co.
- Eat some great food, get a farm tour, visit the Kortright Centre
- Know all about it already? Then
- Help spread the word with this flyer! (pdf)
Why a bike-a-thon?
A bike-a-thon will help WEFC raise funds to open our store. The sponsorship model helps to include small donations that will quickly add up. The event will also allow us to promote our use of bicycles in our work and to promote a local farmer member of the co-op in a fun, highly visible community activity.
When is it?
On Sunday, September 25th. We plan to start to ride around 10:00 am.
Where will it start?
At Magwood Park, finishing at the Living City Farm at the Kortright Centre with a tour, a delicious meal of local food, and live music.
Where will it go?
To The Living City Farm at Kortright, farmed by Matchbox Garden & Seed Co., a four-acre market garden in Vaughan. The trip there is about 30K. (We will bring you and your bike back to Toronto. The return ride, if you prefer that, is "on your own" and will not be marshalled by WEFC nor will Emergency Medical Services staff be available.) Matchbox Garden produces over 100 varieties of rare, heirloom and open pollinated vegetables, seed and seedlings and has been at our farmers’ market since we started. The Kortright Centre for Conservation is Ontario's premier environmental and renewable energy education and demonstration centre.
Map of Locations and Route
(The route is subject to change.)
How do I get back?
We will bring you and your bike back to Toronto. It's also a relatively downhill trip home, but the return will not be marshalled by WEFC nor will Emergency Medical Services staff be available.
What do I have to do if I want to ride?
We are asking each Rider to raise a minimum of $500 (that's about 16 friends, colleagues, neighbours, relatives, etc., each donating $30). Please note that while WEFC is a non-profit, donations to the Bike-A-Thon are not tax deductible.
How will the WEFC help me/how do I collect donations?
Each rider will be able to create a special fundraising page, like one of these, on our website that you can customize with a message and a photo; you can use it to get online donations. WEFC will also be promoting the bike-a-thon at the Farmers' Market, in the Market Times newsletter, on this website, at events and more.
How Does it Work?
Our route takes us mostly through city parks, ending in the rolling hills of the Kortright Centre for Conservation (325 hectares of protected woodland, trails and environmental conservation demonstration projects). The distance is about 3 km.
Map of Locations and Route
(The route is subject to change.)
(The route is subject to change.)
We’ll start checking in riders at 8:30. There will be some invigorating sports stretching offered by All One Holistic Clinic, and then we head out for a lovely bike cruise with optional stops for refreshment. We will have support crews and a ride guide to make sure you get there, goodie bags for finishers and a local food extravaganza including pizza from outdoor bake ovens and other excellent food made with local ingredients from several West End Food Co-op producer members.
Once you get there, you can kick back and listen to some great live music and enjoy the food. You can also tour the farm and to visit the Kortright Centre for Conservation, including renewable energy, waste water treatment and sustainable building demonstration projects.
What next?
There’s more! You can end the tour there—we will get you back to the start point with your bike (we’ll have some special prizes for those who can make the round trip!).
How to Get Started
The first thing to do is register.
We are asking each Rider to set a minimum $500 fundraising goal. You can contribute directly or get sponsorships (that’s about 16 friends at $30 each). To facilitate sponsorships you can create your own fundraising page that might look something like this. Then spread the word of your campaign for sponsorships, possibly with your personal campaign page. Use Facebook! E-mail all your contacts! Ask your co-workers (remind them how you supported them when they did that pledge drive…). They can pledge online on the page you created or with printed pledge forms (you can download forms after you register or pick them up at the farmers’ market).
We’ll check people in at Magwood between 8:30 and 10:00 am. Between now and then, let us know if you have questions, or come by and see us at the Farmers’ Market. And get ready to Ride for Real Food!
Onions and beets prepared for the pot. |
The Downsview greenhouse. |
Cabbages grow vigorously. |
A cauliflower head protected. |
Some jobs call for the tractor ... |
... others for the wheel hoe. |
