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Tour de Bund rides again
By Zhao Yashan Source:Global Times Published: 2014-9-24 19:03:01
Hundreds join charity bike event along Huangpu River
About 550 local and foreign cyclists participated Sunday in the fourth Tour de Bund Charity Ride, an event hosted by the Peninsula Shanghai. According to organizers, the ride is meant to promote the benefits of fitness and healthy living, increase awareness of pollution-free travel and raise money for the charity group Raleigh China.
Professionals and amateurs joined together to cycle along the Huangpu River from Pudong New Area to the Peninsula hotel on the Bund.
Over 1,000 riders have participated in the tour over the past three years. This year, organizers believe the event raised more than 300,000 yuan ($48,892) for charity from participating sponsors, local and international club cyclists, company teams, leisure riders and families.
Bigger and stronger
Bill Gaylord, one of the tour's organizers, said that about 100 more riders turned out for the event this year compared with 2013. Gaylord is himself an avid cycling enthusiast and one of the founders of SISU, a local cycling organization that regularly arranges group rides and bike tours in and around Shanghai.
"We are very satisfied this year. And many of the riders are stronger," said Gaylord when asked about the recent tour. The finish time this year was earlier than the previous year. And to keep things organized on the road, riders left the starting line in groups of 20 to 24, with three guides in each group to lead the way and offer support to participants with tire punctures or mechanical troubles.
Most of these 80-odd guides were foreign cycling buffs who ride two or three times a week for fun and fitness. Greg Weyrich was one of them. Last year, Weyrich took part in the tour as an individual rider. For him, riding in a supporting role this year was just as enjoyable as riding as a participant. "The only difference," he explained, "was that I was waiting for people to come for help."
Gender gap
Despite the larger overall turnout this year, male riders outnumbered females by a ratio of about four to one, according to Gaylord.
Hu Ye was one of the ladies who took part in the event. "I felt tired after finishing the whole ride, but I enjoyed it though," said Hu, who explained that she normally doesn't have time to cycle during the work week. Hu went on to add that she woke up at 6 am to make it to the starting line by 7:30 am. Her group departed at 8:30 am and Hu herself finished the course just before 11:00 am, putting her speed on par with most other riders in the event.
Nevertheless, Gaylord speculated that women may be turned away from taking up cycling as a hobby by faster, more experienced male riders. Gaylord was confident though that the tour would become more popular with female riders over the coming years as more women get involved in sports.
For a good cause
According to Garrison Lu, the CEO of Raleigh China, his organization has received a total of more than 130,000 yuan over the past three years thanks to the tour. Raleigh China is a nongovernmental organization which sends young people between 14 and 24 years of age to help with environmental and community projects in remote areas around China.
"Last year's funds supported two youth camp programs and one expedition," said Lu. Some parents of former Raleigh China volunteers, he noted, even traveled to Shanghai to be volunteers for this year's tour.
"Parents have seen their children mature after working with us. And now they too have a passion for Raleigh China," said Lu.
While not every participant was familiar with Raleigh China, its work or its relationship with the tour, most riders were still more than willing to cycle for a good cause.
One rider, Mao Zhengpin, said "I only know that the charity ride is held by the Peninsula Shanghai. I trust the brand although I didn't know which charity the ride was meant to support when I signed up." Mao wasn't the only rider to offer such a response. Hu gave a similar answer when asked about the ride's fundraising target.
Gareth Roberts, manager of the Peninsula Shanghai, said that thank-you emails sent to riders would contain information about Raleigh China and a link to the group's website where they could find more information.
Professionals and amateurs joined together to cycle along the Huangpu River from Pudong New Area to the Peninsula hotel on the Bund.
Over 1,000 riders have participated in the tour over the past three years. This year, organizers believe the event raised more than 300,000 yuan ($48,892) for charity from participating sponsors, local and international club cyclists, company teams, leisure riders and families.
Bigger and stronger
Bill Gaylord, one of the tour's organizers, said that about 100 more riders turned out for the event this year compared with 2013. Gaylord is himself an avid cycling enthusiast and one of the founders of SISU, a local cycling organization that regularly arranges group rides and bike tours in and around Shanghai.
"We are very satisfied this year. And many of the riders are stronger," said Gaylord when asked about the recent tour. The finish time this year was earlier than the previous year. And to keep things organized on the road, riders left the starting line in groups of 20 to 24, with three guides in each group to lead the way and offer support to participants with tire punctures or mechanical troubles.
Most of these 80-odd guides were foreign cycling buffs who ride two or three times a week for fun and fitness. Greg Weyrich was one of them. Last year, Weyrich took part in the tour as an individual rider. For him, riding in a supporting role this year was just as enjoyable as riding as a participant. "The only difference," he explained, "was that I was waiting for people to come for help."
Gender gap
Despite the larger overall turnout this year, male riders outnumbered females by a ratio of about four to one, according to Gaylord.
Hu Ye was one of the ladies who took part in the event. "I felt tired after finishing the whole ride, but I enjoyed it though," said Hu, who explained that she normally doesn't have time to cycle during the work week. Hu went on to add that she woke up at 6 am to make it to the starting line by 7:30 am. Her group departed at 8:30 am and Hu herself finished the course just before 11:00 am, putting her speed on par with most other riders in the event.
Nevertheless, Gaylord speculated that women may be turned away from taking up cycling as a hobby by faster, more experienced male riders. Gaylord was confident though that the tour would become more popular with female riders over the coming years as more women get involved in sports.
For a good cause
According to Garrison Lu, the CEO of Raleigh China, his organization has received a total of more than 130,000 yuan over the past three years thanks to the tour. Raleigh China is a nongovernmental organization which sends young people between 14 and 24 years of age to help with environmental and community projects in remote areas around China.
"Last year's funds supported two youth camp programs and one expedition," said Lu. Some parents of former Raleigh China volunteers, he noted, even traveled to Shanghai to be volunteers for this year's tour.
"Parents have seen their children mature after working with us. And now they too have a passion for Raleigh China," said Lu.
While not every participant was familiar with Raleigh China, its work or its relationship with the tour, most riders were still more than willing to cycle for a good cause.
One rider, Mao Zhengpin, said "I only know that the charity ride is held by the Peninsula Shanghai. I trust the brand although I didn't know which charity the ride was meant to support when I signed up." Mao wasn't the only rider to offer such a response. Hu gave a similar answer when asked about the ride's fundraising target.
Gareth Roberts, manager of the Peninsula Shanghai, said that thank-you emails sent to riders would contain information about Raleigh China and a link to the group's website where they could find more information.
Cyclists crossing a bridge
Garrison Lu, Bill Gaylord and Gareth Roberts pose for a photo with tour participants.
Photos: Courtesy of Peninsula Shanghai
Riders at the finish line
Hu Ye and her riding group
Photos: Zhao Yashan/GT
Posted in: Society, Metro Shanghai