Tour de Guelph is a cycling event in support of The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital and local Rotary projects through the Rotary clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium.
Its intent is to build and support community well-being within Guelph-Wellington. Tour de Guelph is for all ages and abilities and welcomes participation from community members as well as visitors to Guelph-Wellington.
In its first five years, the event has raised over $300,000 for our community and has grown into one of Guelph-Wellington’s largest community sporting events. The ride continues to grow each year, now attracting close to 1,000 riders.
The first Tour de Guelph took place in 2014 and was born from an ambitious idea from then Rotarian David Parr. David, an avid cyclist himself, was inspired by a Foundation Board member, Terry Manning, who, when he was almost 70, embarked on a 50-day cycling journey which raised $33,000 for the Hospital. It was that inspiration that got David’s “gears” turning. Working with Terry, he researched other cycling events, proposed the idea to the Foundation and brought the Rotary Club of Guelph South on board, and who then recruited the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium. In 2014 with the two Rotary clubs, a few staff members from The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital, and with the support of others in the community, Tour de Guelph became a reality.
About 100 volunteers help with the event from planning to marketing, and helping on the day of the event. The majority being Rotarians, plus many other individuals and local business leaders lend a hand. This allows the majority of the proceeds received from sponsorship and peer-to-peer fundraising to go directly to important community initiatives.