RIDE GETS ROLLING TO RAISE CASA FUNDS
WHITEFISH, MONT. Cyclists gathering Saturday to begin our 900 kilometre ride to Jasper in support of CASA, providers of mental health services to children, adolescents and their families, cheered when told our first challenge, the nearby 2,026-metrehigh Logan Pass, was open.
“Glacier Park road crews had fought in the last few days to clear snow and ice along the 80 kilometre Going-to-the-Sun Road,” said former Journal editor-in-chief Allan Mayer, our route master.
“It was touch and go as to whether the pass over the Continental Divide would be open. A late storm had crews wrangle massive rotary plows to clear 19 avalanches that had covered the road. The storm also sent tonnes of mud and debris onto the highway.”
The pass is one of five we hope to climb this week and the first highlight on our one-week Best in the West bike ride in support of CASA.
My dream, with the help of cycling friends, is to raise $500,000 in two years to help CASA find the $1.5 million needed to complete its CASA House in Allendale this summer.
The thought that Logan Pass might not be open was a downer on the drive here Friday after a high last Wednesday when Pinot on the Patio raised $40,000.
Highlight of the night at the Royal Glenora Club was when Nova Hotels owner Mike Mrdjenovich, assisted by four hefty lads and led by bagpiper Alan Balch, marched in with a barbecued bison.
Also helping feed 250 guests a little exotic fare was our alwaysthere supporter Ramesh Devangodi of the west-end New Asian Village restaurant.
In the crowd were York Realty’s Glenn Woolsey and his wife Sandra, who donated $25,000 to become presenting sponsors of our ride.
“When times are tough, companies who have done well locally should step up to help,” said Woolsey.
Rocky Amson, Flaman Fitness general manager, was also spotted licking his lips and flying the company flag. Frank Flaman donated $10,000 to cover the expense of our support vans on our trip.
Some auction highlights at Pinot: A wine tasting at Vines in Riverbend hosted by William Bincoletto sold to developer Greg Christenson for $2,000; Imperial Equities’ Sine Chadi bought two Dixie Chicks concert tickets for $1,500 and Chateau Lacombe general manager Ike Janacek offered a La Ronde dinner for three couples, and a sleepover, that sold for $1,400.
CASA board director Brian Moody had big smiles when a week at his Mexican villa went to Trevor Hoover for $3,750.
Sad news on our arrival here from veteran rider Sue Lambert, who often sets the pace for the speedy men.
“I was kicked in the leg during a soccer game and spent the night in hospital,” she reported. “The doctor advised against travelling to the U.S. I’m hoping to be well enough to join you later.”
Giving everyone that warm fuzzy feeling was Dr. Levinus (Leo) Dieleman, a U of A gastroenterology professor who told us it was on a similar group ride up the Cowboy Trail (Highway 22) in 1985 that he met his wife Anne Bradley.
“Leo was still living in The Netherlands and I was living in New York State when we both joined a group making a threeweek, unsupported — we carried everything — bike trip from Missoula, Mont., to Jasper,” said Bradley, a special needs school teacher. “I was the only woman in the group.”
Dieleman says he knows a pretty smile when he sees one and stayed with Bradley on the trip.
“Most of the guys wanted to be upfront and pedalled hard,” he says.
“I thought they were crazy and had Anne to myself.” The couple married in 1989.
Another celebration along our way will be the 16th birthday party of our youngest rider, Josh Comeau.
Comeau, a high-functioning autistic student at Strathcona High School, and his cousin Zach Riauka, 19, studying accounting at the U of A, set their CASA fundraising target at an ambitious $100,000.
“We know we have raised more than $70,000 and funds are still coming in,” said Riauka.
Harry Buddle, 75, who has ridden with our group for nine years, is wearing a vest saying: “I ride 4 Tom.”
“Architect Tom Sutherland was 53 and an expert skier when on a double-black diamond run at Fernie, B.C., last year he stumbled and fell over a cliff to his death,” said Buddle, former president and CEO of Capital City Savings and Servus Credit Union.
“Tom was an inspiration to everyone and an avid cyclist who supported many causes through his rides. He was once chair of Servus Credit Union, which made him my boss.”
Both Servus and Dialog, where Sutherland worked, are sponsors of our ride.
To see who is on our team, and to make a pledge for any rider, go to www.bestinthewestcycletour.org.