More than 40 cyclists are getting ready for the ride of a lifetime.
In less than two weeks, CASA Foundation鈥檚 Best of the West Tour will wrap up its 900 km journey with a leg burning hill climb to the base of Marmot Basin.
The ride starts June 19 in West Glacier, Montana, and over the course of the next seven days riders will make their way through the Rocky Mountains for a final slog up Marmot Road, June 26.
鈥淭his has been done before, but when we polled our riders this is the route they wanted鈥攊t really is the best of the west,鈥� said Nadine Samycia, CASA Foundation鈥檚 executive director.
CASA is a non-profit organization that provides mental health services for infants, children, adolescents and their families within greater Edmonton and central and northern Alberta.
When Marmot Basin caught wind of the tour they wanted in. The ski hill teamed up with CASA to set up a challenge for the tail end of the tour. The local challenge has two options. The first has cyclists making the 126 km trek from the Columbia Icefield to Marmot Basin while the second is a 28 km climb from Jasper up Marmot Road.
鈥淐ASA contacted us and we thought it was a great fit with us,鈥� said Brian Rode, Marmot Basin鈥檚 vice-president of marketing. 鈥淲e wanted to give local cyclists an opportunity to ride with CASA riders on their last leg. And we think it鈥檚 a great charity to support.鈥�
Between the two rides there are about 55 spots left. Registration closes June 20. Along for each ride will be a support crew providing food, water, transportation听 and assistance to riders.
Alex Stieda, the first North American to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France and one of the driving forces in last year鈥檚 Tour of Alberta, will also be participating with the CASA riders during the Jasper challenges.
The ride鈥檚 main purpose is to raise money and awareness for children鈥檚 mental health. The money collected during the tour will be put towards CASA鈥檚 two-year commitment to raise $500,000 for the construction of the $24-million CASA Centre. The Edmonton centre will open in September and will provide mental health services for children, teens and families throughout the city and northern Alberta.
鈥淭his is a group of dedicated people who really want to ride for a cause,鈥� Samycia said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not an easy ride, but so many bikers say what gets them through is remembering what they are riding for.鈥�
According to Samycia, research shows that one in five Albertans experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime鈥搘ith 70 per cent of disorders beginning in childhood. She said only one in five of those children will receive mental health services.
After the last cyclist has finished their journey, there will be a free barbeque at Marmot Basin. Rode said all the food is being donated by Sysco Food Services and a handful of his staff have volunteered to work the event. There will also be a few prizes to give away.
Back in town that evening, D鈥檈d Dog Bar and Grill will be hosting a party to replenish the tired group of riders with plenty of food and drinks. The after-party starts at 7:30 p.m. and is open to everyone.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been doing this ride for years and we鈥檝e never seen a community step-up and get involved the way Jasper has,鈥� Samycia said.
Registration for both Jasper rides is $50. Those riding from the Icefield are asked to raise a minimum of $100 in donations while those participating in the Marmot Basin challenge are expected to collect at least $50. As of press time, the Best of the West Tour has raised more than $161,000.
For more information or to register for one of the Jasper rides head to www.bestinthewestcycletour.org.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
