JoAnn Bell, Cycling Without Age - Brockville

 JoAnn is a one person powerhouse behind the Brockville affiliation of Cycling without Age.

JoAnn explaining some of the features of the AMI trishaw


I first contacted JoAnn about a month ago when I contacted her through her online contact info and then had a lengthy conversation with her over the phone.

Today I had a chance to meet the legend who actually took Lisette & myself for a trishaw ride for over an hour while we chatted about everything about her experiences.  She was happy to share and advise on many aspects of their program and I learned a wealth from her.

Reminders for the pilot and QR code to the waiver


We were to be in Kingston this Thanksgiving weekend and knowing that it was a family weekend for many, I asked JoAnn if she would mind meeting us at her convenience sometime this weekend.  We settled on Monday morning since we would be spending the night in Kingston and getting to Brockville in the morning would be the most convenient. 

At the South Entrance to the Brockville Railway Tunnel


True to form, she was ready with the trishaw at the South Entrance to the Brockville Railway Tunnel through which we started our ride.  It was a bit chilly down by the St. Lawrence river so despite having our jackets, hats and gloves on, JoAnn gave us the royal treatment with the red CWA blanket to cover our legs.  It was really toasty under that.

AMI cab with red blanket and added tushy cushions.


Normally on rides they would return through the tunnel and then take a ride along the lakefront trails but today JoAnn wanted to demonstrate the climbing power of the AMI trishaw and we powered up the hill at the end of the tunnel to a newly built trail beside the railway line where a derelict building had become a hobo's hangout.  From there we returned to the lake front trails via a series of residential roads and a beautiful paved Brock trail.

Along the way, JoAnn wished and rang her bell for every passerby, whether she knew them or not and every one of them returned the greeting with a special gesture or a call out wishing us a 'Happy Thanksgiving'.  The ride ended all to soon and even though it had been over an hour, we could have carried on chatting and enjoying JoAnn's hospitality but we wanted to see where she stored the trishaws as well as take a look at their recently acquired VanRaam wheelchair trishaw.  It was a beauty, with a combination of swivel and wheels turning to provide the necessary stability.

While I took some photographs at the end of our trip (as in Hamilton, we were so excited that we completely forgot to take pictures during the ride) JoAnn showed me their ride paperwork and the online waiver that everyone (including us) fills out.

JoAnn has added sponsor acknowledgement to the Trishaw


Another great day and confirmation that we were on the right track bringing CWA to Mississauga.

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