Ride Don't Hide

Friday, 19 June 2015 at 15:34

The CMHA's Ride Don't Hide event will be hitting the streets this Sunday and the whole family is invited.

WOODSTOCK - The CMHA's Ride Don't Hide event will be hitting the streets.

Over 80 cyclists will be out on the roads on Sunday taking part in the 5, 13, and 50 kilometre bike rides to support mental health services. Oxford CMHA's Community Engagement Coordinator Kathlene Cambell-Conlon is asking drivers to be careful out there on the roads."So the main roads that drivers should be aware of that cyclists will be heavily in present on will be Parkinson Road, Norwich, and Dundas. The whole ride starts at 9:30 in the morning and wraps up at 1 o'clock. So keep your eye out for any cyclists around there; they'll all be wearing bright blue shirts."

Although the event will not be closing any roads, OPP will be on hand to make sure everyone is safe.

They have set a fundraising goal of $20 000. "We're raising money right now to increase our outreach services into the community," says Campbell-Conlon. "We're going into Tavistock, we're going into Norwich. We're having outreach services for people who are having a mental health challenge, but maybe don't have access to transportation to come into the urban centres."

Of course, they haven't forgotten that Sunday is Father's Day - the whole event is family friendly, and they've even planned some fun events during the day. "We also have two bouncy castles for the kids. We're also having a barbeque which has been donated by Smith LeRoy Funeral Home. And that will be starting at 10:30 in the morning for riders and will go until 1 o'clock or until we run out of food. And we're also having a breakfast in the morning which is being sponsored by Oxford Self Help Network."

If you want to get involved, registration is still available on the day of the event. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and costs $35. You can also register online at RideDontHide.com/on/ride/oxford-county/

The event starts at the CMHA's 522 Peel Street office.