A Hero's Welcome
Parkside provided the celebratory setting for a hero's welcome as about 200 people flooded the resort's atrium to shake hands and pose for photos with local cycling phenom Ryder Hesjedal on Saturday, September 4. See story in the Victoria Times Colonist.
Hesjedal, who placed seventh overall in this summer's epic Tour de France, used the community celebration to help launch the Wheelmen Ride Bicycles program, which supports competitive youth cycling. The 29-year-old Victoria resident talked about the program on camera during the meet and greet at Parkside.
Funds raised through the Wheelmen Ride Bicycles initiative are currently going to the Aviawest Cycling Society, a not-for-profit organization that provides young up-and-coming cyclists in Victoria with the financial support they need to develop their talents and become successful cyclists.