The inaugural Wacanid bike ride around the International Selkirk Look wrapped up on Oct. 5.

With only 15 riders taking part in the five-day, 550 km ride the hosting Rotary clubs had a chance to test out the ride without a high volume of people to accommodate.

“With so few people registered, we considered cancelling the ride,” said Mike McIndoe of Nelson’s Daybreak Rotary Club.

“I’m really glad we went forward with it so we could get feedback from participants and improve the ride for next year.”

Some of the changes McIndoe said he expects for 2010 are better advertising on the event and a change of dates to bring it to mid-September when the weather is warmer.

“All the riders [from this year] indicated they’d like to do the ride again. They had a great time,” said McIndoe.

The riders travelled in two groups, with a larger group of 12 riders starting in Sandpoint, ID and three Canadian riders beginning in Castlegar. They travelled the loop counterclockwise overnighting in Nelson, as well as Creston, Castlegar and Fruitvale in Canada and Newport, WA and Sandpoint, ID in the States.

Riders travelled at their own pace and all their luggage was transported for them. The Rotary clubs in each location helped arrange accommodations.

“We had people stay in hotels and bed and breakfasts here,” said McIndoe. “They enjoyed Nelson, and I think the ride could bring a nice boost in tourism when it gets more popular.”

Overall McIndoe expect Rotary lost some money by supporting the ride this year, but said they’ll likely make it up in later years.

“We’re going to work the bugs out and do it again next year,” said McIndoe. “It’s such a beautiful route and I think we’ll find it will grow into a successful fundraiser.”