Tour de Nick: Cycling With a Purpose

As the Tour de Nick enters its ninth year, event originator Bill Metz says its mission continues to be clear: To increase awareness of suicide in the Northfield area and to raise money for suicide prevention activities.

“I think it is becoming more of a healing event for many and a way to show support for those who have not been directly affected,” said Metz. “I like to emphasize that part. Make it a fun event, but don't lose sight of the reason we are riding.”

The ninth annual Tour de Nick cycling event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at  in Northfield. Bikers can choose ride lengths of 10, 20 or 50 miles.

Nearly $15,000 raised in the eight previous Tour de Nick events were contributed to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations dealing with suicide prevention, awareness and education.

Metz and fellow event organizer Eric Bergh are on SAVE’s Board of Directors.

Bergh said events like Tour de Nick are valuable in SAVE’s efforts to reduce the number of suicides, as well as to provide help to families and friends of suicide victims.

“I think people are gradually realizing that we don't have to keep this subject in the closet,” he said. “It's not just about raising awareness, but also about reducing shame and stigmatization.”

Tour de Nick is named in memory of Nick Sansome, who took his own life in 2003 at age 27. Metz and Bergh knew Sansome from cycling with him in the Northfield Bike Club. ( to read more about the history of the tour.)

The event has grown in terms of participation and fundraising every year since its inception. Last year, nearly 100 riders raised $5,000. ( for an article and video from last year’s ride.)

Metz said his personal goals for this year’s ride are to attract at least 100 riders and to raise $6,000.

“We have not really talked about it as a team,” he said. “There were a lot of connections made last year and I think that was a very powerful aspect of the ride for many.”

The Tour de Nick is a bit unusual, in that there are no required pre-registrations and no entry fee. Cyclists who want to take part can show up the day of the event and contribute what they want to the cause.

This year, though, race organizers established an online registration site that also serves as a place people can donate money.

As of Wednesday night, 14 people registered online and donated $1,800. The first $1,500 of that amount received a dollar-for-dollar matching grant, meaning $3,300 had been raised.

Bergh said he wants to see the ride become more popular, especially considering it will commemorate its 10th year in 2013.

“There is a great deal of competition among fundraising rides,” he said. "But, I think we can carve out a niche in that the Tour de Nick is shorter than the three- or 4-day fundraising rides and Northfield is a draw as a town and a great biking community.”

For more information about the bike ride, visit the Tour de Nick donor page, Cannon Valley Velo Club website or Tour de Nick Facebook page.

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