Four avid local cyclists took on another challenge in support of an important cause.
The group of riders that includes Brent Gouthro, Yvonne Stoesz, Debra Fehr, and Nancy Bezan participated in the recent Spirit of Hope ride in support of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba.
Now in its fifth year, the Spirit of Hope this year ventured east through the picturesque landscape of Lake of the Woods, Ontario.
Forty cyclists together raised over $120,000 for Habitat Manitoba, with the local group bringing in over $14,500 that will support the Winkler/Morden chapter.
“It feels good … maybe that is a decent down payment perhaps,” Stoesz said of their contribution, which included over $6,700 raised by herself. “We thank all of the people who supported us like Brent and the local medical staff … people were super supportive. Locally, I’ve felt a lot of support, and that is really neat.”
The Spirit of Hope ride was spread out over three days and included upwards of 275 km of hills, valleys, and gorgeous views.
The meticulously planned looped route took them from Kenora to Minaki, Rushing River Provincial Park, and Reddit, Ontario and presented them with lots of difficult terrain, including lots of hills to climb.
“The more you train, the happier you will be,” observed Stoesz. “The hills provide really provide a big challenge. I saw some people walking up the hills … I was happy to have done some hill training.”
“I set that goal, and Deb was saying too that if we’re going to do the ride then we train and feel better about it … it’s good to have the goal,” she said, recalling that the one mishap they encountered was when two of them got flat tires right near the end, literally just kilometres away from the finish.
The ride was nothing new to the foursome, who have all participated in varying numbers of the Habitat for Humanity rides, which also includes the longer Cycle of Hope.
They share the common passions for not only the physical challenge but especially for supporting Habitat for Humanity
“Over the years, we’ve asked that our funds be directed to Winkler and Morden, so that’s been really good,” said Stoesz, noting the ride is organized through the Winnipeg chapter.
“We realize there is a need for housing, and we like that they have this whole concept of people putting sweat equity into their homes.”
It is heartening to hear the stories like that of one rider who was originally from El Salvador, she shared
“His family was given a house … and it was such a game changer for his family, and now he’s riding to give back,” Stoesz said. “It just made all the difference for them, and you can find all those kinds of stories … and people who benefit are going to give back to the next families“So it’s a cause we believe in, and there’s always the challenge of it,” she said, adding it was likely that all four would do it again down the road, but they also do have an idea for something new in the future.
“We’re trying to convince them to have it in the Morden-Winkler area. It’s a little flat, and we’re trying to find a fun route … there’s some real keeners here who ride, so having that challenge and nice views … the views here are amazing in places.”
Anyone who is interested can still donate to support the cause and the individual riders online at www.canadahelps.org
