By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As Velocity 2026 approaches, local teams have been working hard, setting fundraising goals, and getting ready for the big day.

The Velocity Ride is an annual charity cycling event organized by Caledon Community Services (CCS), dedicated to raising funds to support seniors in the community.

CCS provides accessible door-to-door transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities in Caledon and surrounding areas, but by 2027, six aging vehicles in the CCS fleet must be replaced. 

Proceeds from this year's event will support, in part, the purchase of a brand-new accessible bus.

Their goal for this year is $55,000, which they've already surpassed, and are still climbing.

So far, eight teams have registered for the big day, including some brand-new faces and some returning favourites.

Ted's Terra Cotta Trailblazers is leading the charge, having currently raised more than $7,000 and Ted himself has raised over $5,000 of that amount with support from Brampton Brick.

The Terra Cotta Team, inspired by Ted, has participated every year since the event was founded in 2018.

In 2022, the team was formally branded as “Ted's Terra Cotta Trailblazers” (T3) and designed cycling jerseys with a special logo “in honour of Ted and his inspiration and influence on cycling in general and so many individuals attracted to the sport,” says team member and CCS member, Donna Cragg.

Ted Webb, Team Captain, is a beloved member of the local cycling community, and at 93-years-old, he has no plans to stop anytime soon.

Webb cycles the 50-kilometre route, and this year he was presented with a plaque officially naming it “Ted's Way.”

He laughs that this year he's “riding on his laurels” with all the support from his friends and team.

“It's a terrific sport. It has everything. Camaraderie, friendship, the roads, fresh air, exercise,” says Webb, as he looks forward to yet another year with his team members.

“I think it's what's kept me going,” adds Webb. “Cycling and exercise.”

The team currently in second place in fundraising is “Elizabeth's Team,” also known as St. James Caledon East.

The team, from St James Anglican Church in Caledon East, came together because of two of their longtime members, Elizabeth and Gordon Morton.

Team Captain Reverend Michelle Jones says the two are longtime cyclists in the Velocity ride and are always looking to give back to the community.

Unfortunately, this year, due to health reasons, Elizabeth is unable to participate in the ride.

From then, “Elizabeth's Team” was born.

Members of the church have participated in the past, but this year, Reverend Jones says, “we are riding in support of solidarity with Elizabeth.”

With their fundraising goal set at 750 dollars, they've skyrocketed past, now having raised over $4,000 for the ride.

“It's just wonderful to be able to [help] because we are a small bunch, our parish is small,” says Reverend Jones. “It feels really nice as a church in the community to be able to give so much to such a wonderful cause. It's made us feel quite pumped up.”

“People have just been so generous knowing the backstory, wanting to do on behalf of Elizabeth, what she would be doing, riding to raise funds for CCS,” she adds.

Many on the team, she says, are senior citizens themselves and understand the importance of staying independent for as long as possible.

Noting the vast geography of Caledon, Reverend Jones says that without transportation, it can become extremely challenging.

“The whole concept of CCS busing for seniors is just amazing to be able to allow seniors to maintain their autonomy and do the things they want to do, and visit the people they want to visit for as long as they can. It's something near and dear to not only Elizabeth and her husband Gordon's hearts, but the people who are riding on the team this year,” she says.

For Reverend Jones, she looks forward to the day of cycling with everyone who's participating.

“You're all out for the same reason, you're not just out for your own self, right? I love to bicycle but bicycling in a group and everybody's there for the same reason, that sense of solidarity and community, not just our church community, but all the people that have entered into this. It's a lovely feeling of what we're supposed to do as humans – come together and help one another.”

Local business Silcotech is returning again this year, not just as a team, but as the 2026 Grand Tour Sponsor.

The Velocity Ride 2026 is taking place at Caledon East Park on Saturday, June 20, with routes of 10 km, 25 km, 50 km, and a special 25 km gravel route available.

To donate or register visit https://caledoncommunityservices.akaraisin.com/ui/velocity2026