January 29, 2013 (Ottawa, ON) – Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH) today announced the launch of a new annual fundraising event, “Wheels for Wellness”, to be held for the first time on June 15, 2013 in Ottawa. The event is powered by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, Ontario’s provincial advocacy organization and GranFondo Canada, the country’s premier organization for long distance, mass-participation cycling events.

“The Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation is proud to be joining our partners at Share the Road Cycling Coalition and GranFondo Canada to bring Wheels for Wellness to life,” said Melanie Adams, President and CEO of the QCH Foundation. “This event focuses on promoting health and wellness, and cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a commitment to getting fit and staying active no matter what your age and ability, and a commitment to yourself, your family and your future.”

“I hope that Wheels for Wellness will inspire our community to take advantage of the beautiful bike paths and trails available to us year round and to instill in each of us the desire get active and include cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle.  This is an amazing event for avid cyclists and those who have always wanted to try this sport and a ride.  Funds raised through the event will be directed to urgently needed equipment at QCH – tools that are critical to our vision for a healthy, vibrant community,” said Adams.

Eleanor McMahon CEO, Share the Road Cycling Coalition noted that the fit between supporting the work of a leading healthcare institution and her organization’s mission to build Bicycle Friendly Communities in Ontario is a natural one: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Queensway Carleton Hospital and so pleased to support their focus on quality patient care delivery that includes encouraging their patients and their community to engage in healthy, active lifestyles. Cycling for fun or for transport is a great way to get and stay active and our shared commitment to promoting and encouraging safety for all of our citizens is another reason that this partnership resonates so clearly,” said Eleanor McMahon, Founder and CEO, Share the Road Cycling Coalition. “We are proud to join with the QCH and with GranFondo Canada – our country’s leader in best in class cycling events — to host an extraordinary ride in support of health, wellness and safe communities.”

GranFondo Canada brings its event expertise and support to the Wheel for Wellness ride. The organization is known for its spectacular rides that focus on beautiful scenery and positive riding experiences.

“Our partnership with Share the Road, and our support for this ride and the Queensway Carleton Hospital is part of our organization’s approach to building community, supporting healthy lifestyles, and encouraging cycling as a wonderful way to stay active. We are delighted to support the work of an organization that shares our passion for getting more people on bikes more often given the tremendous benefits cycling brings to individuals – and to communities,” said Dean Hachey, Director Business Development GranFondo Canada.

The Ottawa Wheels for Wellness ride is one of five “Prima Fondo” Rides – that are being powered by a new partnership between Share the Road and GranFondo Canada this year.

Prima Fondo events are GranFondo-style community rides that are held in the lead up to GranFondo Canada’s larger events. GranFondo Canada recently announced that they will bring their epic ride to Niagara Falls Ontario on September 14th. “These Prima Fondo rides – built on the framework of existing Share the Road community rides — will encourage participation in cycling in communities across the province, and for those who will join us in Niagara, an opportunity to train for the goal of a lifetime – a mass participation cycling event with thousands of cyclists from around the world. We are so excited to bring this amazing experience to our community partners and participants and we thank GranFondo Canada for their support of our organization and our mission,” McMahon added.

The other four rides include the Spin the Lakes Muskoka Ride on May 25th in Huntsville, the Minden 150 (August 10th) the Andy’s Potts Memorial Share the Road Ride on July 28th in Port Carling and Greg’s Ride in Milton on September 29th.

Registration will open for Wheels for Wellness on February 6th, 2013 at www.sharetheroad.ca.