A couple of dozen riders took part in the first ever Tour de Mississippi Mills on Saturday. Thanks to all the members of the Almonte Bicycle Club led the way for visitors from far and wide to launch what we call the “jewel in the crown” of Mississippi Mils bicycle routes. We’ve heard positive feedback from riders who loved the roads and the people they met and also from shopkeepers who appreciated the extra business these riders brought them. That’s what it’s all about!!
The big story of the day was all about Pamela Griffen, the 77-year-old cyclist from Carleton Place, who started cycling at age seven with the South Bristol Bicycle Club in England. The full 100-kilometre route was more than her usual ride, but Pamela was determined to go the distance and she came out all smiles at the end.
Bicycle Month organizer Jeff Mills kept Pamela company for the ride, which started out at the Old Post Office in Almonte at 9 am. From there they rode to along the Appleton Side Road to the hamlet of Appleton, the first of four hamlets they would ride through.
From Appleton they took Concession Road 8 to Wolf Grove Road. A left turn on Wolf Grove took them to Tatlock Road, where they turned right to head to the hamlet of Clayton. The wonderful folks at the Clayton General Store were hosting a BBQ for the occasion, featuring hot dogs with fried onions! 
Clayton Cares, a local community group, also organized a bake sale, which was much appreciated by hard-working cyclists.
After Clayton, Pamela and Jeff rode along Clayton Road to Concession #8, took a quick visit to the Mill of Kintail, and then proceeded to County Road 29 and then Blakeney Road for the stop at Hamlet #3, Blakeney . From there it was a leisurely (??!!) ride along Blakeney Road to Hamlet #4, Pakenham, where they learned that many tour riders had been enjoying the fine home cooking at Watt’s Cooking for lunch.
Pamela has been a Bicycle Month booster from Day One, and we couldn’t be more proud of her. Here’s what her cyclometre looked like at the end of the day:
