Too many outdoor activities have been cancelled or modified this year, but one that didn’t have to hit the brakes was the annual Ride Through The Rockies, sponsored by Star Building Materials.
Since 2014, the event has raised more than $700,000 to help families through Habitat for Humanity by challenging cyclists to fundraise and ride as a group through the Rocky Mountains.
This year there was one major difference in logistics, as the riders couldn’t go out as a group, but were encouraged to participate in a virtual fundraiser on Aug. 22.
The new ride format allowed riders from across Canada to participate and ride wherever they were; with no limit on the number of participants, who pedalled 60, 100, 160 or 200 km (or more) while coming together online and tracking their rides.
There were no registration fees and no fundraising minimums, making the online event open and accessible to anyone with a bike and a desire to make a difference,
“This ride continues to bring the cycling community together year after year to support affordable homeownership in southern Alberta,” said Ken Crockett, vice-president of Star Building Materials and founder of Ride Through The Rockies, who congratulated those with a passion for cycling. “This year, COVID-19 stopped the riders from cycling together, but it didn’t stop their commitment to helping local families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership.”
The ride exceeded all expectations.
“We had 43 participants ride more than 5,000 kilometres in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Canmore/Lake Louise, Invermere, the Okanagan and even one rider from Missouri, and they collectively raised more than $40,000, surpassing the original fundraising goal of $20,000,” says Lisa Hallet, manager, marketing and communications, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
