CFUW Offers Sandwiches/Baked Goods to Support Rideau Lakes Cycle Bike Tour

CFUW Perth & District members made hundreds of sandwiches and baked dozens of cookies, muffins, date squares, brownies, and sweet breads to sell to the 300 plus bicycle riders who took part in the annual Rideau Cycle Bike Tour last month.

The Saturday riders, on a 120 km route from Ottawa to Kingston, were glad to stop for warm coffee and food at the Last Duel Park and shelter under the gazebo to get out of the pouring rain. Sunday’s weather for the return trip improved, and Gatorade proved to be the more popular drink.

“We can’t thank our members enough—for baking, making sandwiches, volunteering time, donating supplies and money—this event, as with all CFUW events, couldn’t happen without their generous support,” says Sharon Klinck, co-chair of the RLCT organizing committee.

The riders were a hungry lot; 10 loaves of ham and cheese sandwiches sold quickly, followed by 14 loaves of egg salad sandwiches, with peanut butter and jam sandwiches, expecting to be the most popular, at a distant third with 8 loaves sold. Thirty-five members baked for this annual event, and once again date squares and brownies were best sellers. Some riders returned on Sunday looking to purchase the same cookie, muffin or square from the same baker!

Cycling starts early – and the 19 CFUW volunteers made sure to be there for both the fastest and slowest riders, so no one arrived and couldn’t find food or drink. Set up started at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday, with the first riders coming through shortly after 8:30 a.m. from Ottawa. From Kingston, first riders cycled in at 10 a.m. and the booth stayed open until 2:30 p.m.

“CFUW Perth & District has supported the Ottawa Bicycle Club for many years, and their riders tell us how appreciative they are to find us waiting for them,” explained event organizer Dale Peckett.

Monies raised at this event helps CFUW Perth & District, a voluntary, non-profit and self-funded organization, support its mandate to improve the status of women through education, promote human rights and social justice.