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Clara's Big Ride - 12,000km across Canada

3K views 17 replies 9 participants last post by  revrnd 
#1 · (Edited)
6-time Olympic medallist in both Summer and Winter games (2 medals in cycling), Clara Hughes, is embarking on a 110-day 12,000km bike ride across Canada aiming to bring awareness to mental health issues.

Clara's Big Ride

Saying she wanted an “epic” experience shared with other Canadians, Olympian Clara Hughes embarked on a 12,000-kilometre journey Friday to raise awareness about mental health.

Clara’s Big Ride, a part of the Bell Let’s Talk campaign to end the stigma surrounding mental illness, got rolling in Toronto.

After months of training, Hughes began her planned 110-day bicycle journey to 95 communities and more than 80 schools across Canada on Friday.

“I wanted it to be epic,” she told reporters. “I felt like we needed something epic for people to really connect to and riding across and around Canada is epic.”

Before hitting the road, Hughes briefly addressed a crowd of supporters at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Square.

“It’s time we stop ignoring the struggle and start talking about it,” she said.

Hughes’ first stop will be Hamilton, Ont., and she plans to end her journey on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Canada Day.

Along with a team of support riders that includes her husband, Peter Guzman, Hughes will cycle west to Victoria, north to Iqaluit and east to St. John’s, N.L., rolling into big and small cities along the way.

“This is like a 110-day big moment of my life and I hope Canada’s life and I’m excited that the big ride is finally rolling today,” Hughes told CTV’s Canada AM Friday.

“The biggest goal is to have a positive effect on trying to help break down the walls of stigma when it comes to mental health and really connect Canadian youth to this conversation.”

Hughes, one of Canada’s most celebrated athletes who won multiple Olympic medals in cycling and speed skating, has openly discussed her battle with depression.

She said Friday that she wants others to realize they don’t have to hide their struggles. There has been a big shift in acceptance and understanding of mental health issues in Canada, she said.

“I cannot be the only one and I’m not the only one trying to make a difference,” Hughes said.

“We have a long way to go but the shift is starting to happen.

“I hope we leave a legacy when we’re not there…that people realize they don’t need a Big Ride to come to town to have an event that focuses on mental health.”

Hughes said she’s prepared to handle any wintry weather she may encounter on her journey. She joked that, if necessary, she’ll cycle in her hotel room to make up for lost kilometres.

“We’ll just make it work, no matter what,” she said. “I’m from Winnipeg. What’s a little winter storm?
I didn't think you could love Clara Hughes more, then she does all this! :thumbsup:

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Olympian Clara Hughes launches Big Ride for mental health awareness | CTV News
Hard work and passion as Clara Hughes gets ready to ride for mental health awareness
Clara Hughes begins 'Big Ride' to promote mental health - CBC Sports

Not sure if this is Canada or perhaps General Cycling Discussion?
 
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#3 · (Edited)
#8 ·
She's passing by my house on Mar 25th, but I'm a bit confused on her route. She is in Kingston on the night of the 24th, but it states her starting point for the next day is Gananoque, which is about 25km from Kingston. Maybe she's not going to ride the hwy 2 between Kingston & Gan????? Shame, it's a great cycling road.

Gan to Cornwall is a BEAUTIFUL route. I hope the weather turns out warmer than what is forecasted so she can enjoy it. -2 with a headwind.
 
#13 ·
I haven't ridden the past two days. Just too cold and windy.

News is saying that this was the coldest winter in at least the last 20 yrs here in Toronto.
 
#14 ·
The closest I've come is putting my trainer out on the deck and doing an hour or so on it. Great views, but too cold to ride yet.

It's been in the top in the last 174 years. We broke the record the the number of days of continuous snow on the ground. Last record was 81 days, we are now up to 102 or something like that.
Here in the Gananoque region we still have about 2 feet of snow. I don't ever recall snow on the ground at the first of April like this.
 
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