Make no mistake, Cycle for Art is not a race.

 "There are no times taken. We're really encouraging people to get out, ride at the pace that is comfortable for them, enjoy some absolutely fantastic scenery and country roads, take their time, make lots of stops and just make it an enjoyable experience," said organizer Tom Rogers about the fourth annual fundraiser.

 He encourages anyone who can ride a bike and wants to get out and explore Lunenburg County to participate.

 "From the outset, we wanted to make sure it did not only appeal to what I would call more hardcore or dedicated cyclists. We really wanted to encourage participation, so we have three distances within the one event."

 The 25-kilometre ride is on a quiet, paved road with few hills, from Lunenburg to Maders Cove and back.

 "It's very scenic, a beautiful ride and kind of within the grasp of anybody."

 The 50-kilometre loop extends from Lunenburg, through Riverport, up the LaHave River to the Grimm Road and back.

 "It's a little more ambitious, something for people who have done a bit of riding but are really not quite ready for a 100-kilometre ride but would like to take on a little bit more of a challenge."

 The most popular event is the 100-kilometre loop, from Lunenburg to Bridgewater, through Mount Pleasant, then across the LaHave ferry and back to the start.

 Cyclists on that route meet on the outskirts of Bridgewater and get a police escort through town.

 "It is so cool and it's a crowd favourite. The police have their lights going and they shut down the intersection. We just can't say enough about how the town has supported our pass through."

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 Cycle For Art was named after longtime, local physician Dr. Arthur Patterson, who died in 2006.

 "He was a really good guy and it seemed like a small way we could honour someone who had a really big impact."

 The event was originally created to raise money for the restorative care centre named after Dr. Patterson at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital.

 "At the heart of what we're trying to do is raise money for the local hospitals."

 Since then, it has raised almost $20,000 for the Patterson centre and the Health Services Foundation.

 "Cycle for Art has become a signature event for the Health Services Foundation," said development officer Bernadette Jordan.

 "This ride not only raises much needed funds for equipment but it helps promote a healthy lifestyle. It's a win-win event."

 Most of the money is generated through registration fees and pledges, but for the first time, there is an on-line, silent auction this year as well.

 "We've tried to come up with approximately eight or 10 things that would be of interest to cyclists," said Mr. Rogers.

 Among those items is an $800 gift certificate from Freewheeling Adventures.

 "They do rides all over the world, the kind of cycling tours you would cross off your lifelong to-do list ... they're absolutely amazing trips."

 Registration for the September 18 event is not required to participate in the silent auction.

 For more information, check on-line at http://cycleforart.com.

posted on 08/31/10