Brett Bonderud
Black Press
More than a dozen National Bike Ride for Youth cyclists celebrated the first leg of a cross-Canada tour with a barbecue at the Rotary Fieldhouse in South Surrey Athletic Park last week.
The riders – mainly National Bank employees – came in from Tsawwassen after crossing the Strait of Georgia earlier in the day Wednesday.
The barbecue was an opportunity to rest, relax and refuel for the next leg of the journey, which took them to Hope.
Music, free food and cold drinks were on hand for weary cyclists. The barbecue was sponsored by National Bank and its White Rock branch, and was to raise awareness for the ride, which celebrates the efforts of youth working with Free The Children.
Any pledge money raised by riders in White Rock would go towards a child from White Rock, organizers said.
Local organizer and rider Nancy Shewfelt said though she’s not a cyclist, she rode the 130-kilometre leg from White Rock to Hope in support of the charity.
“It’s for a good cause – raising awareness for youth,” she said.
The 3,000-mile ride is divided into more than 40 different legs with cyclists meeting up in Montreal. Eastward legs began in Victoria Sept. 7 and westward legs will leave from Halifax Sept. 18.
The twain are set to regroup and nurse their saddle sores at a big blowout bash Oct. 1.