Fall 2014 update from the OVP

As the 2014 cycling season in Ottawa draws to a close, it’s time for an update on the Ottawa Velodrome Project.

Pulling together for the Ottawa Velodrome Project: 2014 Champlain’s Folly fundraising ride.

Those of you who have been following us may know that we began this project hoping to partner with the City of Ottawa to build an indoor sports facility that would contain a 166 m velodrome as well as some soccer fields. We applied to a city program that supports such facilities and our initial proposal, submitted in early 2013, was not approved. That means we need to revise the proposal and submit it again in 2015.

In the meantime, we have had some meetings with municipalities on the Quebec side of the river: Gatineau and Chelsea. Both have expressed interest in a variety of possibilities ranging from new construction to putting a track inside an existing building. These discussions are continuing.

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1 week to go to Champlain’s Folly

The Champlain’s Folly fundraising ride is just a week away — and registration closes on Wednesday.

So please head over to the registration page and sign up.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Save the date: Champlain’s Folly set for July 13

The 2014 edition of the Champlain’s Folly Cyclosportif is set for July 13 in Arnprior, Ont.

Join us for a great day of riding on the beautiful roads of the Ottawa Valley while raising money for the Ottawa Velodrome Project!

Among the innovations will be a new start/finish location right on the water, and registration will be opening soon. Visit our website here or our Facebook page here for the latest info!

Stevens Racing-OVP Fundraising dinner hits the spot

A $75 ticket to cycling greatness

The proceeds from the fundraising dinner on Jan. 25 will go in part towards the Ottawa Velodrome Project. We hope you can join us!

kriswestwood.com

The value of money is a relative thing.

As you grow older and the house you live in is worth half a million dollars, the car you drive sells for $30K and the bike you ride retails for $5 grand, it’s easy to lose perspective on what all those dollars actually represent.

For an aspiring bike racer, every penny counts. A career can hinge on $20, which could be the difference between getting to a race that can lead to a pro contract, and staying at home and missing out.

That’s why raising funds for our young up-and-coming local riders is so important. The Ottawa cycling community is made up of smart and affluent people, and on Jan. 25 there’s a great opportunity for them to make a big contribution to the future of our local talent.

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Velodrome Project passes $25K milestone

After less than a year, the Ottawa Velodrome Project continues in its mission to bring an indoor velodrome to the Ottawa region and we’re delighted to announce that we’ve already raised more than $25,000.

Most of this was raised through the Champlain’s Folly Cyclosportif on July 14, where more than 300 cyclists enjoyed the great roads along the Ottawa river north of Arnprior. The kids’ races at the Preston Street Criterium on June 16 also donated money, as did a number of generous individuals. Mark your calendars for the next Folly ride on July 13, 2014!

Inaugural Champlain’s Folly a success

The Champlain’s Folly Cyclosportif took in some of the most beautiful cycling roads in Eastern Ontario.

More than 300 cyclists showed their support for the Ottawa Velodrome Project by signing up for the Champlain’s Folly cyclosportif last Sunday.

The turnout was bigger than expected for the inaugural edition of the event, which is intended to be a key fundraiser to cover the operating costs of a proposed indoor velodrome in the Ottawa area. Several people also registered despite being unable to attend — they simply wanted to make a financial contribution to the project.

Participants were treated to a beautiful Sunday with very little wind. More than 180 riders completed the 130-km or 160-km big loop; 65 rode the 85-km route and 22 did the 32-km route. Despite the heat, the majority stayed on at the Arnprior Fairgrounds to enjoy live music, food and beverages from the Kitchissippi Beer Co.

The day was hugely encouraging for the Ottawa Velodrome Project organizers, who would like to extend a huge thank you to the City of Arnprior, the volunteers, vendors, sponsors and the participants. We look forward to riding with you next year!

More on the inaugural Champlain’s Folly:

• Champlain’s Folly photos on Flickr
• Velodrome fundraiser showcases area— insideottawavalley.com
• Not Every Ride Is Worth Talking About blog post

 

Register early and get more chances to win

Champlain’s Folly Cyclosportif isn’t a race, but you still have a chance to win big through our post-ride raffle, with some very swanky prizes that will be announced shortly.

Each entry gets five raffle tickets as part of their entry package, but early birds can double their chances to win by entering before July 5 and getting 10 raffle tickets!

And remember: The final deadline to enter Champlain’s Folly is Wednesday, July 10. This leaves us two business days to ensure we have all the food, beer, non-beer, and swag-bags ready for everyone come Sunday. We want you all to have a fantastic experience, and we need some time to make that happen.

Click here to visit our registration page.

Champlain’s Folly Cyclosportif poster released

The ride that lets cyclists support cyclists is one step closer to reality.

The Champlain’s Folly Cyclosportif on July 14 has been created to help raise funds for the Ottawa Velodrome Project, an initiative to bring an indoor velodrome to the nation’s capital. On Wednesday, our team released this fabulous poster to help promote the event, and we’d like to ask for your help as an OVP insider to help spread the word through social media and word of mouth.

Champlain’s Folly will set off from Arnprior on Sunday, July 14, one day after the Ottawa Bicycle Club Grand Prix event in Gatineau Park. Riders will enjoy a choice of three scenic and challenging routes of 32 km, 85 km and 130/160 km northwest along the Ottawa River, in an area first charted by famed French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, in 1613. In this very region Champlain reputedly lost his astrolabe while scrambling along a portage route in his quest for a route to China — hence the name Champlain’s Folly!

If you are a Facebook user, please visit the Champlain’s Folly Facebook page, “like” the poster and share it to your Facebook wall so we can get the word out to the broadest group possible. If social media isn’t your thing, please tell your friends about our event and let them know about the the OVP website, too.

Registration now open for Champlain’s Folly Cyclosportif

There are a lot of fundraising rides out there, but only one that lets cyclists support cyclists: the Champlain’s Folly Cyclosportif on July 14.

Registration is now open for the inaugural edition of the Champlain’s Folly. There are four different ride options starting in Arnprior, on some of the finest cycling roads in the Ottawa Valley, which just happen to parallel the historic route taken by explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1613.

All proceeds from the ride will go towards the Ottawa Velodrome Project, an initiative to build an indoor velodrome in the nation’s capital.

For more information, visit the Champlain’s Folly website, or like the Facebook page.