Tour de Terra Cotta set for Monday

July 31, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Many who dont have to go to work Monday might be looking for excitement, and Terra Cotta would be a great place to find it.
The final preparations are being put in place for the ninth annual Tour de Terra Cotta, which will see cyclists from all over the world take on the challenge of the 8.68-kilometre course through and around the village.
Race Director Brad Hains reported last week that things are coming together for the big event, although he admitted there’s “lots of last-minute stuff to handle.”
He added there are a couple of new features to this year’s event. The youth time trials will take place on the actual race course, and not on the side streets. “The fans will get to see it,” he said.
He also said that renowned Canadian cyclist Michael Barry, whose list of credits include competing in the Tour de France, will be on hand.”He’s pretty well known in th cycling community,” Hains remarked.
There will also be something for trivia lovers. Hains said there will be a chance for people to test their knowledge of the event and exhibitors. Entry forms will be available the day of the race, and clues to the answers will be found at the various booths. Answer all the questions and drop the completed form in the ballot box at the Vendor Expo, for a chance to win an Apple 16 GB iPad with Retina Display.
As well, there will be pre and post-race therapy available for racers. Dr. Steven Piper will be on hand for the entire day. He has been actively involved within the Canadian sport community as a chiropractor and also as a therapist and strength coach.
The day will see youth time trials starting at 8 a.m., with youth road races starting at 9 (one lap for racers aged eight to 10 and two laps for those 11 and 12). The youths aged 13 to 16 will start their three-lap event at 9:12. The beginner road race (three laps) will commence at 10:30 a.m., with the intermediate race (six laps) going at 11:45.
The main event of the day will be the elite road race, consisting of 12 laps or 104 kilometres. It will get started at 1:30 p.m.
While the main event will be the 104-km race, there’s going to be a lot of interest shown in the intermediate run. Ted Webb, 80, one of the main founders and inspirations behind the Tour de Terra Cotta, is planning to mount his bike and head off with the pack. He reported late last week that he had just taken part in a time trial and has not slowed down at all.
“I’m feeling good,” he said.
The Platinum Sponsor for this year’s event is Dimpflmeier Bakery, with Gold Sponsors being The Terra Cotta Inn and Brampton Brick.
Hains said proceeds from this year’s event will be going to Caledon Meals on Wheels and the Terra Cotta Community Centre restoration project.