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2006 Photo Gallery... 2006 Tour des Trees Route Map (pdf)... For information on making a charitable donation, please contact the CTF office at 416-984-7025 or email us.

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On behalf of the five riders Marian Makar, Greg Hill, Warren Hosleton, Phil Graham, Frank Bombardier, and myself, who make up what Susan Mentis coined “Team Canada,” I am happy to report that Tour des Trees 2006 was a huge success. All of the 67 combined Canadian and US riders completed the beautiful and sometimes arduous 900 kilometres between Thunder Bay, Ontario and Minneapolis, Minnesota in good health and spirits. Approximately $300,000 was raised for tree research and as always, the magnitude of the event generated lots of awareness for arboriculture, the plight of our urban forests and the important role that trees play in our environment.

While the tour started officially at the opening dinner/reception on Sunday night at Lakehead University, those of us who managed to arrive on Saturday (Team Canada members plus Phil Barker from Virginia and Jeff Spohh from Arizona) were able to take in a Saturday dinner hosted by Shelley Vesico, City of Thunder Bay Urban Forester, and a Sunday brunch hosted by my brother, Frank Wilson, representing the Thunder Bay Cycling Club, who also rode with the Tour on the first day. After the brunch on Sunday, we were given a tour of the city by Shelley as she explained some of the high and low points of trying to manage an urban forest in a northern Ontario city (see enclosed article).

During the ride, we were visited by newspaper and television crews which produced Tour des Trees coverage as part of the Thunder Bay evening television news and an article in the following day’s Chronicle News, the city’s daily newspaper.

The opening dinner/reception proved to be an appropriate venue to kick start the ride. Our American guests appreciated the quality meal, which was made possible by our generous sponsors the Ontario, Atlantic, Prairie and Quebec chapters of ISA. Everyone was first welcomed by Lynn Day, Events Coordinator for the TREE Fund, and myself on behalf of the Canadian TREE Fund, and enlightened by presentations by Shelley Vescio, as well as Vince Rutter, President of Trees Thunder Bay, and Charles Campbell, Co-Chair of EarthWise, a Thunder Bay community volunteer environmental group.

The first day Canadian festivities included a breakfast sponsored by BC Hydro, and a welcome/send-off and ceremonial tree planting hosted by Thunder Bay Councillor Rebecca Johnston. These proceedings were followed by the traditional opening photograph, after which the riders were escorted by a bicycle police patrol through some of the city’s 32 km of wonderful bike paths to Highway 61, which would lead the Tour along the north shore of the largest freshwater lake in the world. From here the riders were on their own. At the 50 km mark, not long before crossing the border into the US, they were refreshed at the expense of the Thunder Bay Forestry Division of Hydro One.

What followed were six full days of sometimes easy, sometimes strenuous pedaling through very scenic countryside and can most accurately be described as days to remember. For extensive details of the tour, check out www.tourdestrees.org and don’t miss the blog.

From a rider’s perspective, you would think the most memorable part of the tour would be the incredible views we were able to witness along the shores of Lake Superior or the confidence that comes with being able to ride such a distance on a bike, but it is actually the camaraderie amongst riders and the interesting people that we met along the way who make this such a memorable event.

While we all consider the tour to be a task not a holiday, something special definitely happens when you mix people who are passionate about trees and cycling and ask them to face a formidable challenge. After day two, our longest ride, over 180 km, there was a definite bonding between all those who wore the distinctive blue Tour des Trees jersey. An almost family atmosphere evolved as everyone shared their experiences, enthusiasm and commitment to take on the challenges of the remaining days. Where and when necessary, the more experienced riders provided advice and support to the beginners and less capable.

Paul Buck, a first time rider from Minnesota, said: “Although we are raising funds for trees, it’s really about the people! From the sponsor and donor support, to the 60+ passionate riders and their individual stories, it is really about our connections to each other and our environment.”

Mike Edson, not related to the tree industry, but brother to Jim and Kris, both multiple Tour veterans, explained, “I have never met a group of people that are as friendly, caring and supportive. Whether or not you’re an arborist, this group makes you feel part of the family. The commitment they show in training for this ride, raising funds for the TREE Fund and giving time during a very busy part of the year makes me feel fortunate to be included in the ride. After this trip, if I have an emergency and the police don’t respond, I may just call an arborist for help.”

Greg Hill, the most seasoned rider on Team Canada and veteran of six Tours, remarked that this year’s tour was the most physically challenging for him. “We had long distances with some extreme conditions, strong head winds, hot humid temperatures, and one morning of heavy rain. Yet because of the team attitude and supportive nature of the Tour in general, we were able to make the miles and many riders were inspired enough to go beyond their personal limitations, often surprising themselves.”

The most gratifying moment for me was the culmination of the tour, our arrival at Loring Park in downtown Minneapolis accompanied by a police escort, while the “World Championship Tree Climbing Competition and Exhibitor Show” was in progress. There must have been close to a thousand people in the park lining the bike path, cheering and applauding our accomplishment as we rode through. Once off our bikes, we were called individually up on to the event stage and presented with a certificate from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and TREE Fund dignitaries.

We received further accolades later that evening as we were all invited to attend the grand opening of the 82nd ISA international conference, where we received a standing ovation from a ballroom crowd of arborists when a huge two foot by five foot cheque was presented to the TREE Fund representing the funds raised by the 62 riders.

To conclude, I can’t say enough to express the appreciation all the riders have for the financial and emotional support we received from all our donors and those who took interest in the TREE Fund and the Tour des Trees. We could not have done this without you!

It is exciting to think of the advancements that this funding will mean to the science of arboriculture and the plight of urban forests and urban environments. For those who made contributions on behalf of Team Canada or individual riders, I hope you too will come away with a sense of accomplishment. The Tour des Trees is “The largest annual urban forest fund raising event in North America” and you have helped to make it so!

If you haven’t made a contribution and want to become part of this great event, it isn’t too late. In addition to supporting the Tour des Trees, your donation will go towards reaching the Canadian TREE Fund 2006 goal of $40,000. Simply call 416-984-7025 or send us an email .