Vicki Hartlen Delhi News-Record
Thursday June 07, 2007

Move over Friday the 13th, Le Tour de Norfolk is coming.
“The interest in this event has been just amazing,” said Delhi Uptown BIA coordinator Yvette Mahieu, when she sat down with the News-Record.
For the past few months Mahieu has been organizing the inaugural Le Tour de Norfolk, a bicycle tour that features four distances – 35, 75, 100 and 160 kilometres – for bike enthusiasts of all skill levels, set for July 21 starting between 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
“This really was an idea I borrowed from the (United) States,” explained Mahieu, a bicyclist herself. “There are bike tours throughout the States that draw huge crowds and I thought it was time Delhi capitalized on that.
“In the past, Delhi was known as a bicycle capital of Ontario and now we’re returning to that concept.”

To help capitalize on exposure and participants, Mahieu has been toting Le Tour de Norfolk posters, flyers and brochures with her to various bicycle shows, including one earlier this spring in Toronto.

“The response I got at our booth there was incredible,” said Mahieu, who manned the booth herself. “We didn’t even have everything finalized and the attention was amazing.”
From our scenic country roads to the amazing hills and lakeside views, Mahieu said city-folk were impressed with the location for the tour.
“They kept asking if all the pictures we had on display were taken on the same road,” said Mahieu. “They were in awe of the landscape and communities we have.”
In addition to attending various bike shows, Mahieu has also planned the tour in conjunction with the annual Belgian Days at the Delhi Belgian Hall, which is also the starting point of the tour.
“The one thing I really want to make clear is that this tour is not a race, not a competition it is a fun-filled day of biking throughout Norfolk County,” said Mahieu, whose routes go through communities like Turkey Point, Pine Grove, Lynedoch and others.
As if the interest wasn’t enough, Mahieu also learned recently that the tour has qualified for a grant from the Norfolk District Business Development Corporation in Simcoe.
“(With the money) we plan to hit every bike shop and bike club within a two- to three-hour drive of Delhi with posters and brochures and we’ll also have posters and brochures for local businesses to display,” Mahieu explained. “People should look for them in the coming week.”
Although registration will be open until the day of the event, Mahieu said those who register by June 15 would receive a Tour de Norfolk T-shirt specially designed to help commemorate the event.
Registration for the tour is $45 per person and includes rest stops, snacks, maps, directional signage, SAG (support and gear) wagon and an all-you-can-eat hot and cold buffet featuring chicken, cabbage rolls with all the fixings and traditional Belgian waffles.
Those interested in learning more about the tour should visit www.delhiontario.com, more details will be posted as they become available.