November 22, 2018 (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa-area cyclists gathered at the Orange Gallery on Friday to celebrate members of the community, raise funds and socialize at the fifth annual National Capital Region Cycling Celebration.

Thanks to a strong turnout and some outstanding silent auction items, the event raised $3,000 towards next year’s National Capital Region Cycling Bursary, which has awarded nearly $60,000 to up-and-coming cyclists since 2000.

The standout auction item was an EF Education First-Drapac-Cannondale jersey that Mike Woods wore at this year’s Vuelta, signed by the whole EF team, which went for a cool $1,250.

The evening was an opportunity to recognize strong contributors to the local community. The following awards were presented:

– Alan Large Organizer of the Year: Vince Caceres (organizer of the Tuesday Night Criterium Series and the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series)
– Peter Tyler Builder of the Year: Ottawa Mountain Bike Association (trail advocacy group)
– Ellen Watters Perseverance Award presented by Neutronics: Katherine Maine (who bounced back from a severe concussion in 2016 to win the 2018 Canadian road title)
– Gord Fraser Male Athlete of the Year: Mike Woods (Bronze at road worlds, 2nd in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, stage win at the Vuelta a Espana)
– Linda Jackson Female Athlete of the Year: Karol-Ann Canuel (6th in the road race, 8th in the individual time trial and 3rd in the team time trial at road worlds)

It was also an opportunity to present bursary awards to young, up-and-coming cyclists:
– $1,000 to BMX racer Lauren Webber, 16, from Nepean
– $1,000 to mountain bike racer Jérémie La Grenade, 16, from Gatineau
– $2,000 to road racer Carson Miles, 18, from Ottawa
– $2,000 to mountain bike racer Juliette Tetreault, 20, from Val-des-Monts

A huge thank you to everyone who donated silent auction items, attended the event or otherwise helped make this happen.

The Cycling Celebration is organized by volunteers Nick Vipond, Andrew Lees and Kris Westwood, for the benefit of the local cycling community. If you are interested in donating silent auction prizes, sponsoring the event, volunteering or contributing to next year’s event in any way, please contact us at CyclingCelebration@gmail.com. For more information, visit our Facebook event page.

All proceeds from the Cycling Celebration go to the National Capital Region Cycling Bursary.