Cycling group hopes scavenger hunts can keep people pedalling during pandemic

It's hard to bike to work and school when there is no work or no school so a cycling group from Vancouver Island is finding other reasons for people to ride this spring.

Bike to Work Week, which would traditionally kick off at the end of May, has been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But with Islandersflocking to the outdoors these days, the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition felt it was an ideal time to sell people on the idea of pedalling back to work when theyreturn.

The organization has launched three activitiesscavenger hunts, discovery ridesand distant rides to try to do just that, while alsogivinglocals something to keep up their spirits, and cardio.

'The hope is that in the future, people who maybe had the opportunity to cycle during this time will cycle during Bike to Work Week," coalition spokespersonSara Laxtold CBC'sOn The Islandon Monday.

Scavenger hunts

The coalition has already released two neighbourhood scavenger hunts in Fernwood and Royal Oak with plans to have 16 available by the end of August.

Participants just need to visit the coalition's websiteto find a map and a set of clues and then head off to solve them.

Lax, who organized the hunts, said she made sure the clues are in spots where it's easy to pull off trails or roads and allowphysical distancingfrom other people who may be using those thoroughfares.

There are prizes to be won for the two hunts before May 18, and new maps with new clues and deadlines are set to be released regularly.

Discovery rides, long-distance routes

Every two weeks, the coalition is posting two cycling routes that riders can follow to explore specific neighbourhoods.

Mapped routes have already been releasedfor the Saanich Peninsula and Gordon Head/UVic.

Points of interest are identified along the routes and participating riders who upload photos of themselves to social media are eligible for prizes. Find routes and prize entry details here.

For experienced riders looking for new challenges, coalition members are also highlighting some longer rides that can be done in and around the capital city.

A ride from Swan Lake to Bear Hill, which clocks in at just under 32 kilometres, is the first in this series and a map is already available here.Again, riders who submit photos or stories from their trip are eligible to win prizes.

To hear the complete interview with Sara LaxonOn The Island, tap the audio link below: