Brakes put on Tour de Whidbey bike event


March 25, 2012 · 11:27 AM

A popular biking event and major fundraiser won’t happen this year.

The Whidbey General Hospital Foundation recently canceled the Tour de Whidbey, an autumn event that showcased Whidbey Island while raising considerable cash for Whidbey’s public hospital.

Laura Blankenship, foundation executive director, said recent staff reductions made at the foundation left her without enough help to organize the event and not enough time to find alternatives.

The Tour de Whidbey, originally scheduled for Sept. 22, offers a variety of routes and attracted more than 500 riders in 2011, requiring 100 volunteers to support the event.

Last year, the foundation granted more than $234,000 to the hospital. Blankenship said the foundation’s goal is to grant more than $250,000.

Even though the Tour de Whidbey has been cancelled, it will likely be back. She said the next Tour de Whidbey will take place Sept. 21, 2013.

 

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.