Events help us build community.
We are excited to be holding our fundraising event - Art from the Attic - during the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria's annual Paint-In on Saturday, July 18, 2026!
The Art Gallery Paint-In is the largest summer arts festival on Vancouver Island, bringing Vancouver Island and Gulf Island artists together in celebration of art. This beloved festival draws 50,000+ visitors annually to explore and experience art along Moss Street. It is a fabulous community event.
VG4A will be set up in the driveway and yard of 76 Moss Street, a couple of blocks from Dallas Road. Please come by to support our event and view (and perhaps purchase) some of the beautiful artwork donated by our members and their contacts. We have already received some outstanding pieces.
When we hosted this event in 2023, we raised almost $4000, and hope to do even better this year.
If you have artwork to donate please review the criteria in our last newsletter and in the email that went out to everyone on June 8. We will be accepting donations on Tuesday, June 16 and 23 from 1PM to 4PM. If you cannot make either of those dates, please text Julie at 778-677-6138 or email her at Jsholder54@gmail.com to make other arrangements. If you have any questions or need further information regarding AFTA, please email Betty-Ann Thomson at ba705@telus.net or text 250-213-3150.
Hope to see you there!
AFTA Working Group
Ride and Lunch with CCCTS to support VG4A!
On July 29, the Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society is hosting a fundraiser for the Victoria Grandmothers and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. There are 2 ways to participate…both of them delicious. Please sign up by July 18th so that the CCCTS knows how many lunches to make.
Meet at the Marigold Café at 10 am for coffee followed by a 25-30 km ride. This ride will be led by Wanda and will end at Heritage Acres at noon.
Meet at the Blenkinsop Connector at 8:30 am and follow Mary Ann on a 55-60 km ride (including a coffee stop) and end at Heritage Acres at noon.
Once you register for this event, please contact the ride leader -- Mary Ann for the longer ride (matouski@gmail.com) or Wanda for the shorter ride (wandahben@gmail.com).
Lunch is provided courtesy of the CCCTS. However, this is a fundraiser! There will not be a donations bucket at the event, but donations can be made by going to the VG4A website and clicking on the Donate to Cycle Tour link at the top of the page. It will take you to the donations page with a pink donate button on the right side. Click on that button and follow the instructions.
Cycle Tour - 2026
Celebrating 20 Years!!
This is the 20th year of the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa Cycle Tour which raises funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. This year the Tour will launch on August 9th and the Grand Finale on September 13th. The funds raised provide support to the grandmothers and their families who are living with the ongoing consequences of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
A registration fee of $20 is required to participate in the VG4A Cycle Tour. Interesting and varied optional group rides have been planned for all different levels of ability. Click Here to see the Calendar of Optional Rides.
Each rider will determine for herself a personally challenging distance or goal to ride over the duration of the Cycle Tour. For the 2026 Tour; regular bikes, e-bikes, spin bikes or stationary bikes are all welcome.
We hope you enjoy cycling the beautiful routes on either the roads or many bike trails on Vancouver Island and perhaps even further afield. This Cycle Tour is a time to make new friends and be inspired by those around you.
Check out our Cycle Tour page for additional information and details.
Sign this Waiver. Scan signed and witnessed waiver and email to: vg4acycleregistrar@gmail.com or mail to: VG4A Cycle Registrar, 1221 Oscar Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 2X6. (You may have already signed the Waiver when training rides began.)
Complete this Emergency Contact Form and carry it with you while you cycle.
Please read: Registration Policy.
Please read: Cycling Safety and Bike Sense Guide
Meet 9:00 a.m. at Mile 0 with a ride afterwards for All Riders to Clover Point. Then, riders can either return or continue with a longer Optional Ride to Cadboro Bay along the waterfront to coffee at the Moka House. Route continues after coffee along Cadboro Bay, Arbutus, San Juan Greenway back to Lochside Trail and Galloping Goose. Suitable for Intermediate Riders. Average pace 16-17 km per hour.
No registration required.
Ride leaders: Tory Stevens for longer ride with Lynn Kobierski for Clover Point return ride.
To register for the Cycle Tour, go to: 2026 Cycle Tour.
10 am at Mile 0, cycling through Victoria to the E & N and then to The Nest. Return will be along the Galloping Goose.
Registration required.
Suitable for Beginner Riders.
Ride Leaders: Julie Holder and Joyce Hobday.
Please note, participants must be registered in the 2026 Cycle Tour
Join us at the Switch Bridge at 9:30 a.m. with an option to pick up riders at the Janion Building at 9:40 a.m. (ish)
Average pace 16-17 km per hour. If you are wondering what "Point" we are pedalling past, here is your answer, and it isn't just one: Ship Point, Ogden Point, Holland Point, Finlayson Point, Clover Point, Harling Point, Gonzales Point, Cattle Point and...if we do it...10 Mile Point!
We will have coffee in Cadboro Bay at the Moka House.
Suitable for Beginner and Intermediate Riders.
Ride Leaders: Lisbie Rae
Please note, participants must be registered in the 2026 Cycle Tour.
9:00 am meeting at Devonian Park. There is a parking lot there, accessed from William Head Road. The ride will be along the Galloping Goose to the Sooke Potholes, returning along Matheson Lake, Roche Cove, and the Sooke Basin. Pack a big lunch and bring your bathing suit!
Suitable for Intermediate Riders
Ride leaders will be Marilyn Bergen and Christine Fitzgerald
Registration is required and cyclists must be registered in the VG4A Cycle tour to participate
Tuesday, August 25th - VG4A/Galiano GoGos
The 6:30 am ferry for the Galiano GoGos will arrive at 8:00 am in Swartz Bay where the GoGos will be met by some of the VG4A riders. This group will then ride to the 10 Acres Cafe, 9805 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC. for coffee at 8:30 am. After coffee the VG4A riders and the GoGos will head north towards the ferry terminal to ride Lands End Rd. for about 8 km, which is a hilly part of the ride. We get back onto West Saanich Rd. and head south towards the airport at which point we follow the flight path around the airport to East Saanich Rd. We will go south on East Saanich Rd. to Mt. Newton Cross Rd. then west on McTavish Rd. to the home of Bonnie Yarish, 1819 McTavish Rd. We will have lunch there. Victoria riders will bring their own lunch and lunch for the Galiano riders will be supplied. After lunch, we will go east on McTavish to Lochside into Sidney, then back to the ferry. The total distance for the ride is approximately 40 km. We can add extra distance after lunch if anyone wants to do that.
Average pace 16 - 17 km per hour.
Suitable for Intermediate Riders.
Ride Leaders: Bonnie Yarish and Tracy Rowe (Galiano Gogo contact, Marian Lowery)
9:30 am Thursday August 27 This 116 km 2 day trip starts at the Switch Bridge on Thursday, August 27 at 9:30 am riding to the Brentwood Bay Ferry with pick-ups along the way (Mitchell's Farm at 10 am). From Mill Bay to Crofton is a leisurely 40 km cycle with stops for coffee and lunch. Supper will be in Crofton with overnight accommodation at the Croft Inn Motel.
Friday August 28 - will start with a lovely breakfast at the Waterfront Cafe, packing up in time for the 10:10 am ferry from Crofton to Vesuvius on Salt Spring Island. We will cycle north past Mary Lake, have lunch provided at a member's home by the SSI Grandmothers, and make a quick stop in Ganges. Then we will have the pleasure of testing out the new and improved hill exiting Ganges to ride 20 km on challenging roads to catch the Fulford Harbour ferry at 4:20 pm. From Swartz Bay it is a speedy ride back to Victoria.
NOTE: If riders begin and end at the Brentwood Bay ferry the total cycled distance is 80 km (40 km each day). Salt Spring Island has no bike lanes and is quite hilly. You should comfortably be able to ride 20 kph on the flat and have experienced some hill riding in the previous few weeks and months. We are patient and considerate of others on the hills.
Maximum 16 cyclists. This ride is designed to first accommodate those riders who will not be cycling the CR-V ride, but there should be lots of room so feel free to sign up. Registration is required. Be sure to register for this amazing ride by August 15th by saying YES to this invitation AND sending a $50 deposit to vacationlauren@gmail.com, as we need to be able to confirm our hotel room reservations by then.
There will be an accompanying car with bike rack and repair kit. Shared costs for motel, Friday lunch and the accompanying driver's costs will be about $130 per person. Additional personal costs will include lunch Thursday in Duncan, supper Thursday in Crofton, breakfast Friday in Crofton and the ferry from Crofton to Vesuvius.
Ride leaders: Laurie Wilson, Wanda Bentkowski and Shirley Malnis
Suitable for Intermediate cyclists.
You're invited to a Summer Wine and Cheese party at the home of Liz Bicknell
236 Superior Street, James Bay
Sunday, Aug 30, from 4-6 pm.
Enjoy a glass of wine, a selection of cheeses, and catching up with friends in a relaxing environment.
You're invited to bring a friend and a small appetizer to share if you wish. Cost is $30 per person, and all proceeds go to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. Registration is limited to 30 people so register soon! Any questions, please email Liz directly: mailto:lizbicknell@shaw.ca
You're invited to bring a friend and a small appetizer to share if you wish.
Cost is $30 per person, and all proceeds go to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
Registration is limited to 30 people so register soon!
Any questions, please email Liz directly: mailto:lizbicknell@shaw.ca
Cyclists will meet in time for the 8:40 a.m. Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay Ferry. This route will involve mostly rural roads but there will be some highway riding for short distances. There are a few steep climbs but they are short. The coffee stop will be at the Cowichan Bay Bakery. There will be a lunch stop at Bright Angel Park. Bring a packed lunch. Estimated return ferry to Brentwood Bay will be the 3:00 p.m. Average pace 18-20 km per hour.
Suitable for Experienced riders.
Details to be sent to registrants.
Ride Leaders: Christine Scott, Tory Stevens & Mary Ann Matous.
This ride will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Switch Bridge with an option to pick up riders at Harbour Road opposite Café Fantastico.
This is a West Shore ride to Royal Roads. The ride follows the Galloping Goose to Harbour Road, takes Esquimalt Road to the E & N, GG to Wale Road, Belmont, College and Serpentine, returning on the GG to the Switch Bridge with a coffee stop at The Nest.
Average pace will be 16-17 km per hour.
Suitable for Beginner or Intermediate Riders.
Leaders are Cynthia Cosulich and Tracy Rowe.
10 am at Janion Building, cycling to Mattick's Farm and back.
Campbell River to Victoria Ride - 2026
The Victoria Grandmothers for Africa Campbell River to Victoria Ride is a three-day event with up to 30 women cycling 275 km. We are supported by Grandmother groups along the way who provide meals, refreshments, and positive energy! Support and the participation of cyclists from all over Vancouver Island and other islands, gives this event its unique character.
This fundraiser, under the umbrella of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, provides support to grandmothers and their families who are living with the ongoing consequences of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
This is a challenging three-day ride for experienced cyclists who are capable of riding at 21-23 km per hour on the flat for an overall ride average of 17-19 km per hour.
Join the 2026 Cycle Tour for $20.
Join the Campbell River to Victoria ride with a registration fee of $495 for accommodations, meals, etc. (As only members of the Cycle Tour can participate it is important that you register and pay the $20 fee for the VG4A Cycle Tour prior to registering for the Campbell River ride). If the cost of the ride ends up being less than $495 you will be refunded the difference.
We have disallowed payment by credit card due to the high cost for a credit card transaction, therefore, please pay by e-transfer, cheque or cash.
This Campbell River Ride is a wonderful experience for all involved and we hope you will join us! More details of the ride can be found Here.
Please read: Registration Policy. Deadline for registration is July 17. Priority is given to members of VG4A and members of BC Islands Region Grandmother Groups.
Sign this Waiver. Scan signed and witnessed waiver and email to: vg4acycleregistrar@gmail.com or send to: VG4A Cycle Registrar, 1221 Oscar St. Victoria BC, V8V 2X6 (You may have already signed the waiver when training rides began or when you signed up for the Cycle Tour)
Please note, registrants must be 55 years of age or older by December 31 of the year of the tour and be a member of VG4A or a BC Islands Region Grandmother Group. Anybody registering for this ride must be already registered for the 2026 Cycle Tour.
10:00 a.m. start from Selkirk Trestle. This 40km gentle ride takes place on September 7th, the last day of the 2025 Cycle Tour. Most of the trip will be on the Galloping Goose and the Lochside Trail to Centennial Park in Saanichton. Registered riders can also join at the Blenkinsop Connector at 10:30 a.m. or at Michell's Farm and Lochside Trail at 11:15 a.m.
Riders will meet up for lunch in Centennial Park with the women cycling down from Campbell River, who will be arriving around 12:15-12:30 p.m. Afterwards, this group (V-CP-F) will leave around 1:00 pm for a return to the Selkirk Trestle in time to meet up with all of the VG4A cyclists coming in from various rides.
Registration required. Cost $11.00 for Lunch.
Ride leaders: Mary Lou Hess and Christine Gotzman
The combined groups will leave the Selkirk Trestle at 2:45 pm, riding together to the 2025 Cycle Tour Finale event which starts at 3:00 pm!
Longer G&G ride: Meet at 2:15 p.m. at Saanich Municipal Hall for older grandkids, grandmothers, grand-others and parents for a 7.7 km cycle to Mile 0. Will join with all the other Grandmother/Grand-other riders at the Selkirk trestle. A practice ride will be held just prior to the start of the ride. Registration of Grandmother and number of guests required. Suitable for older or more experienced grandkids and must be accompanied by either a parent or grandparent/grand-other.
Shorter G&G ride: Meet before 2:45 p.m. at Ogden Point. A short 1.6 km ride for any Grandmother, Parent and Grandkids, starting at Ogden Point and cycling along the Dallas Rd. cycle path to Dallas Rd. and Government St.. Then we will join with all the other Grandmothers, Grand-others and older Grandkids cycling to the Finale at Mile 0. Suitable for Beginner Riders and younger grandkids - grandchildren must be accompanied by either a parent, grandparent or grand-other.
Registration of the participating Grandmother with number of guests required so that we have sufficient support for your cycling grandkids of any age!
Leaders: Barbara Langton and Lynn Kobierski from Saanich Municipal Hall and Robin Betteley and Betty-Joan Traverse from Ogden Point.
