B.C. cyclist ends odyssey
Travels across Canada for First Nations youth
Anne Thomas placed the front wheel of her bike into the Atlantic Ocean on a Halifax beach Friday, marking the end of a 6,200-kilometre odyssey across Canada.
The young adventurer, who lives in Whistler, B.C., powered across mountains, prairies and forests — even dodging a tornado in Alberta — in her quest to raise money for First Nations youth.
“It’s just such a different pace, to do things on a bike,” said Thomas, adding that she met many different people on her voyage.
She has raised nearly $5,000 of a $20,000 goal so First Nations youth at risk of getting in trouble can attend an action camp through the WE youth and environment organization.
The camp will teach youth healthy pursuits in their communities, such as building a community garden, using trained counsellors to teach them skills.
Driving Thomas’s journey was an enduring faith in her fellow Canadians.
“Canadians are amazing and what better year to do it than the 150th (birthday) of Canada,” said Thomas.
She started her journey on May 21 in Victoria, B.C.
The toughest part of her journey was riding across the Prairies and facing constant headwinds that slowed her down. This was coupled with thunderstorms and bad weather that also slowed her.
Nonetheless, she crossed the Prairie provinces in two-and-a-half weeks.
Her route took her over the Great Trail, a coast-to-coast network for bikers, hikers, snowmobile enthusiasts, horse riders, paddlers and cross-country skiers.