One of Canada's great physical odyssey fundraisers is now complete, and another is about to happen.
The 24-Hour Relay For Life closed on the weekend with massive financial results. That trek took the form of innumerable laps around Masich Stadium.
Coming next, with a June 12 deadline to sign on, is the North 400.
This is a one-day bicycle trek from the spectacular Rocky Mountains to the Nechako Plateau, from Jasper to Prince George.
All the money raised by this bike trip goes into the pot for the Cops For Cancer-Tour de Nord fundraiser.
It gives non-police cyclists a chance to take part themselves in the Tour de Nord ride done in the fall by emergency services personnel.
"It is pretty awesome to roll into Prince George after coming all that way, in one day, from Jasper," said North 400 co-ordinator Erin Reynolds, who has been the volunteer leader of this initiative since its beginnings in 2013.
"It is a real personal challenge, and you are accomplishing something major for yourself. And besides the amazing great cause to help fight cancer, that personal accomplishment is part of the benefit."
The ride pushes off from Jasper on Aug. 7 early in the morning - super early.
"Everyone jumps on the train together the day before," said Reynolds. "The train ride is free, it is included in your registration fee, so you get a leisurely ride to the start position, and if you've never done that train ride, that by itself is an amazing component of the event. We all go out for a big team dinner then to the hotel for some very important sleep. We wake up at 2 a.m. and we are on the road by 3:30. Rain or shine, we ride through it all."
The first year of the North 400, there were an avid six cyclists. Last year, the team of riders grew to nine. The goal this year is for 15. Reynolds said pairs riding has been incorporated into this year's ride, too, so one person can do the first half and the other member do the second leg.
There are many biking enthusiasts who want to give the 400-kilometre distance a go (or split it in half with a partner), as a realistic personal challenge. Many who have this dream talk themselves out of it because of the logistics when doing such a trip alone. This opens that opportunity up, with the train ride down, the food and mechanical support all along the highway, the opportunity to take part in the peloton draft (it requires less pedaling energy when following behind in a group), and the motivation of comrades working together towards the same goal.
Registration forms are available at Cycle Logic or online from www.north400.com. For more information contact Reynolds at 250-614-6917 or David at 250-614-7223.
