Two days, two cyclists, and 500 kilometres down Vancouver Island in support of one great cause: Power To Be.
On Aug. 11, Innovative Fitness Trainer Noah Topp and Power To Be Training Coordinator Clay Webb set off from Port Hardy on a ride down Vancouver Island to Victoria to raise awareness and funds for programs at Power To Be. By the time they reached Mile 0 on Sunday afternoon, they had raised more than $40,000 to support nature-based adventures for people living with barriers.
“On Friday night in Port Hardy there were thunderstorms, with lightening coming down right near us,” Clay says. “So, we didn’t get a lot of sleep before we set out on Saturday.”
With Innovative Fitness Club Manager Ryley Carter and Power To Be Advancement Coordinator Jodi Gaiser driving along in support, the riders were well taken care of with rain gear when needed and a new tube for the one flat tire Clay experienced. After overnighting in Courtenay, the riders pedalled hard to make the 1:50 p.m. Mill Bay ferry to Brentwood Bay where Jodi and a number of Innovative Fitness members joined Clay and Noah for the final kilometres.
Innovative Fitness has been spearheading Ride for the Future for four years, but 2018 marks the first time the funds raised benefit Power To Be. Noah, who volunteers with Power To Be at events and in support of programs, believes that everyone belongs in nature.
“I grew up in Banff and I really understand how completing an endeavour makes people say, ‘oh my god I did that.’ It is a huge sense of accomplishment and it is empowering,” Noah says. “I believe everyone deserves a chance at that kind of adventure.”
And how does Noah feel after the ride?
“It feels good to do good. There is no growth without challenge. You have to lead by example – if you are going to encourage people to do these challenges and find themselves, you have to do it too,” he says. “I love the work that Power To Be does.”
Banner photo credit: Photo by Chris Becker on Unsplash