Saskatoon Cycles September 2022 Newsletter
Nuit Blanche Slow Roll
On Saturday, September 24, join us as we embark on the Nuit Blanche 2022 “slow glow roll”, a nighttime bicycle tour version of this free night-time contemporary arts festival.
NBYXE will feature projections, sculptural installations, performance, music, theatre, and other contemporary art forms that will wow festival-goers late into the evening.
The Saskatoon Cycles slow roll schedule is as follows:
- arrive at City Hall around 6:45PM
- go over the route and safety instructions at 7PM
- depart at about 7:10PM
- the full tour is expected to take from 2.5 to 3 hours, but riders are free to break off at any time
Adorn yourself and your ride with LEDs, glow sticks, reflective strips, and whatever else you can find to illuminate the group. We want to light up the night, and make our roll a beautiful, moving installation of its own!!
Amber will have spoke lights available on site – $10 each, with all proceeds going to Saskatoon Cycles. Cash or e-transfer accepted.
For a more detailed description of route directions and individual festival installations, please check out the Nuit Blanche Cycling Route page.
ZenZED Refreshed!
Saskatoon’s calm traffic (Zen), “Zero Emission Delivery (ZED)” ZenZED, bicycle courier service is back, with a fresh look, an improved user experience, and a fee of ZERO for customers!
It sounds too good to believe, but thanks to the incredibly generous support of our primary project partner The Better Good, all deliveries made by the ZenZED bicycle couriers are now FREE. As of September 21, you can have the convenience of home delivery, the sense of community that comes from shopping local, and peace of mind from reducing carbon emissions, all at no cost to you!
The following businesses (so far!) have set up a ZenZED option on their websites to make your shopping as smooth as possible:
Please support these great shops and advance the concept of lower carbon delivery at the same time.
Visit our ZenZED page to learn more about the conditions that apply to deliveries, as well as opportunities for potential businesses or couriers.
2nd Annual Cathy Watts Memorial Slow Roll
The 2nd Annual Cathy Watts Memorial Slow Roll took place on September 8, 2022, winding its way through different points significant to Cathy’s life and work: The Bowl at the U of S Campus, President Murray Park, D’Lish by Tish Cafe, the Trans Canada Trail Pavilion at Gabriel Dumont Park, and 9 Mile Legacy Brewing.
At each stop, people inspired by Cathy spoke of her hard work, community spirit, and passion for cycling. It was clear from their tributes that Cathy affected many, many people, and as her husband Trent said, “She does not seem to leave.”
If you were unable to attend, good news: we captured most of the ride’s events on video!
If inclined, you can further celebrate Cathy’s life by donating to The Cathy Watts Memorial Scholarship (UofS) or to Saskatoon Cycles.
We hope to make the Memorial Slow Roll an annual event. See you all next year!
Rock Your Roots
The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation has been an annual event in Saskatoon since 2016. It’s a chance for all Saskatoon residents to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action by demonstrating their commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and working towards an inclusive community.
The original walk date of June 21 has moved to Friday, September 30, 2022. The schedule:
10:00 to 10:45 a.m. – The walk will begin at Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) and end at the “Where our Paths Cross” Reconciliation Circle art installation in Victoria Park (across the road from 422 Spadina Cres W).
10:45 to 11:30 a.m. – A brief program will be held following the walk.
Saskatoon Cycles will be participating on foot in this event in coordination with the YWCA. You’re invited to join this group (which will join up with the main proceeding at 10 a.m.). Please meet at the Wolf Willow Cohousing Outdoor Patio (530 Avenue J South off 17th St.) at 9:30 a.m. Bikes can be locked to the fence at the east end of the building.
Beverages will be provided at Wolf Willow Cohousing after the walk, courtesy of YWCA.
Come rock with us!
Global Gathering – Ride for Refuge + Bike Valet
Ride for Refuge is a fundraising bike ride or walk, held nationwide on October 1 to raise money for charities that support people seeking refuge from danger, hardship, and abuse. This year, funds raised through Saskatoon’s Ride for Refuge will support Global Gathering Place!
You can participate through direct donation, riding or walking, or volunteering by visiting the Ride for Refuge registration page.
Saskatoon Cycles has a cycling fundraising team participating. You can donate directly to our team (search teams for “Saskatoon Cycles”), or even better, join our team, ride with us, and fund raise within the group!
We’ll also be hosting our last Bike Valet of the season at the event, and we’re already looking for volunteers. Sign up for a shift and be registered for our volunteer appreciation party to be held in October: Ride for Refuge Bike Valet Volunteers Sign Up
Donations
Our work relies heavily on financial donations from enthusiastic bike riders who want to see the cycling infrastructure and culture in Saskatoon continue to bloom and grow. Our programs make an important impact on the quality of life in Saskatoon.
Please support our efforts with your donations or with your time as a volunteer.
