Bike-In Concert & 2020 Bike Awards
Superlative cyclists celebrated!
“… and now, may I have the envelope, please?”
In an earlier blog post, we touted our highly-deserving finalists for LCLs annual Bike Awards: tireless champions, advocates, boosters and backers all! We thought it was high time to tell you a bit more about the distinguished winners who accepted these highly-contested awards at our recent Bike Awards and Concert event at Anderson Craft Ales.
Concert-goers rode together from Victoria Park to Anderson’s
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, can we take a millisecond to transport ourselves back to that marvellous evening? Cycling enthusiasts from all over town enjoyed the thrill of a group ride from Victoria Park to Anderson’s. Awed murmurings about the size of the group could be overheard all along the route as our impressive armada glided through the streets of Woodfield and Old East toward Anderson’s excellent open-air venue. Superb food and drink was enjoyed by a crowd of about 90 attendees, all safely distanced at tables and on picnic blankets, and the music of Thesis Sahib, Yessica Whoaneil, and Trusty Fox shifted from one crowd-pleasing genre to another!
And, in the midst of all that bikely grandeur, we recognized some truly admirable and accomplished award winners:
Sheri Laidlaw, To Wheels owner, receives the 2020 Bike-Friendly Business Award
For the category of Bike-Friendly Business, we applauded Sheri Laidlaw on behalf of To Wheels for its warmly passionate and inclusive model, its tireless support of community organizations and fundraising rides, and the sustainable approach to business which has been its mainstay for nearly 50 years. May To Wheels prosper for another 50 years, doing well by doing good!
The Community Cycling Champion was awarded to Chris Pollett, who was unable to attend, but sent along an inspiring acceptance speech challenging everyone present to get 2 new people on to a bike, fix 2 people’s bikes and complete 2 new challenges in 2021. As Event Coordinator for the London Centennial Wheelers, which promotes cycle racing and helps to develop young riders, Chris has done an outstanding job of imagining and executing cycling events in our city. He embodies all of London Cycle Link’s values of equity, community, fun, sustainability, and empowerment. Thank you, Chris!
Chris McCreery accepts award for Outstanding Advocacy
Cycling advocacy is so close to the hearts of many Cycle Link folks, so we hope all will agree with our choice of Chris McCreery from the field of praiseworthy nominees. Chris is a great role model – for his daughter, Emi, as well as for many grown-up Londoners and other Ontarians - for cycling as a main mode of transportation. All the compelling reasons to cycle find their standard-bearer in Chris’s intense enthusiasm, both in the virtual world and the great outdoors!
We hope the event was an inspiration both for attendees and those of you who are only reading now about our exemplary award winners! Many thanks to summer student, Taylor, who was at the centre of it all.
Trusty Fox kicks off the music for the night!
Yessica Woahneil follows up the award presentation with clever lyrics and catchy riffs.
Onlookers watch as Thesis Sahib creates music incorporating dance-along beats with Nintendo-inspired sound effects.