Paul Bickford/NNSL photo
In the absence of organized recreational activities in this time of Covid-19, a Hay River couple have launched their own.
On May 9, Dale Loutit and her boyfriend Bobby Campbell held their first-ever bike race around the community.
Loutit explained it was her idea to start what she hopes will be weekly races against Campbell because they enjoy competing against one another.
"I challenged him because we were bike riding one day and we raced each other home," she said, noting she won that impromptu race. "After that, I was like, 'Let's do it as a challenge and let's invite people.'"
They both agreed the bike challenge is related to the lack of recreational activities due to facilities being closed because of Covid-19.
"We're trying to find unique ways to entertain ourselves," said Loutit.
Campbell said the races will be a way to help pass the time.
Plus, he said he agreed to the competition because he likes to win against his girlfriend.
"I don't want to lose to her," he said. "I'd never hear the end of it."
As it turned out, Campbell won the five-kilometre race on May 9 with a time of 15 minutes and 59 seconds, while Loutit finished in 18 minutes and one second.
Campbell was riding his new bike.
"I haven't been on a bike in years. This will probably be the third day," he said before the May 9 race. "It's just something to do, really. Get out and do something."
Loutit has been biking for a couple of years.
"So we thought it would be fun to race each other," she said. "Then we thought it would be fun to race other people to encourage biking, since the biking season has just started."
No one else showed up for the May 9 race, but they are hopeful that others will participate when the weather gets warmer.
Loutit is the recreation programming supervisor with the Town of Hay River, but the bike racing against Campbell is a personal activity.
She noted they don't race side by side, but time their races over a mapped-out route with an app using GPS.
"So one of us is going to leave five minutes before the other one, and then we're going to track our times," she explained. "So whoever does the fastest wins."
Loutit will be taking the competition seriously.
"I'm going full steam, because I want to win," she said. "Definitely full steam."
The couple would like to see the race attract some of their friends in the future.
"The more people I think the more fun it would be," said Campbell.
Loutit noted that due to current Covid-19 restrictions there can only be 10 people gathering for a race.
"But even one or two others would be great," she said. "If people are interested, they're welcome to contact me or do their own. I love sharing my ideas. If other people enjoy my ideas, then go for it."
Loutit and Campbell will announce on Facebook whenever they plan to hold a race.