Hatters cycling from Sarajevo to Medak in support of war vets
A pair of Medicine Hatters are about to leave for the trip of a lifetime.
Mike Spellen and Lane Linden will be flying out of Canada today to begin a week-long bike ride from Sarajevo, Bosnia to Medak, Croatia in support of Wounded Warriors Canada — a group that supports veterans once they’ve returned to Canada from the battlefield.
“We’re both really excited for this trip,” said Spellen. “We’re heading out next week and it’s going to be a a really fun time, and it’s going to be a really big challenge.
“It’s a 600-kilometre trip, and it’s not a race, so we can go at our speeds and enjoy our time.”
The trip runs from June 8-16, and Spellen says the cause hits home for both men.
“I actually served with the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Spellen. “This does mean a lot for me to take part in this.
“We both were happy to take part in something that benefits a cause we both support. As someone who served, I know that some people come back and have a really hard time with life after the army.”
“The reality is that some people fall through the cracks,” said Linden. “Some people fall past the federal level and still need a lot of help — Wounded Warriors really helps people who need it.”
The men are hoping the money they raise will go towards training a service dog.
“The dogs can do really great things for people,” said Linden. “Wherever the money does go, we both know it will be to someone who needs it.”
Both men say they are looking forward to seeing the landscapes and sights their trip has to offer.
“I actually know some of the areas well because of my time with the military,” said Spellen. “There’s different spots you can stop along the way to sightsee, and again, it’s not a race — so we can really stop to look around as we go.”
“It’s not every day you can do something like this,” said Linden. “I’m really pumped for what the trip has to offer, and I think now, after training for so many months, we’ll be ready.”