As water rations quickly diminished on the third day of a five-day, 1,000-kilometre road bike tour, seven Canadian cyclists experienced a greater understanding of the hardships they were riding for.
Wheels for Wells Water Projects Ltd. is a not-for-profit organization that raises awareness and funds for World Vision water projects in Africa through several annual bike rides.
Now in its fifth year, the local Wheels for Wells team took on a ‘Fire and Water’ cause through the smoky Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary (July 27-31) for water projects in Somalia and to aid for those affected by raging British Columbia wildfires.
The rules of the ride are simple: participants may only drink water from naturally occurring sources such as lakes, rivers, and springs and never from the tap or bottles.
The project relies on naturally occurring water to tell a story about how easy it is to get safe drinking water in Canada – and how the situation is much different in other countries around the world where it can range from difficult to impossible to find.
On the tour, with 70 kilometres between Kelowna and the next water source at Mara Lake, the riders – David Custer, Sarah Fillier, Kory Howard, Jaylene Kemp, Mac Potter, John Audia and Paulo Stroud-Baranda – had a first-hand experience of panic and worry when their water supplies were drying up.
They were behind schedule a few hours due to an accident, so they needed to ration personal water supplies until the next destination; a foreign concept in Canada.
“That’s part of what the experience is about, kind of putting the riders in the mindset of not actually having tap water,” said Custer, who is also the ride director.
“I think it actually put us all in that situation where we just want to drink more water, but it’s not just an endless supply. I think that was really successful this year.”
The team relaxed during an hour-long break at Canmore’s travel centre on Monday (July 31) before the last leg of the ride on Highway 1 to Calgary.
It was mainly a break to refuel the body with junk food and fruit and fill up on fresh spring water at the Canmore spring near Harvie Heights.
The cheerful riders reflected on the 900-km trip so far, which usually starts at 5:30 a.m. each day after overnight stops in Sunshine Valley Resort, Kelowna, Revelstoke and Field.
The tour saw one wipeout with minor injuries; nine flat tire changes; consumption of about seven litres of water each per day and an ominous threat that the ride could end at any minute due to wildfires.
The riders recalled their first sight of the pluming grey smoke on the second day. The route had been adjusted a bit to avoid some hazy areas.
“It was a little bit smoky when we were coming from Merritt, but we’ve actually been quite lucky,” said Potter. “It cleared up pretty quickly and (on July 31) the smoke is hanging quite high, but it’s pretty much been smooth sailing.”
It was most of the riders’ first time embarking on the 1,000-km trip, and it had been tough to the point of Canmore arrival, however, teamwork aided in the riders success.
“It’s a great event and great teamwork and it’s great having the support driver too,” said Audia. “Safety is obviously a priority for the riders and our team, and there’s some things you can’t control. But luckily we’ve been able to get here so far.”
The team is sitting on just over $15,000 in funds raised for the tour.
Those interested for more information or to donate, can do so at www.wheelsforwells.ca.
