Richard Cloutier, co-host of the News on 680 CJOB, 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays, is sharing his adventures during the Cycle of Hope in support of Habitat for Humanity.
The morning starts with roll call and a prayer circle.
Ray Steen calls out the names of the 35 cyclists and volunteer support workers.
I am a welcome addition to the group.
“You are taller than I thought”, blurts one cyclist before extending a hand in friendship. I have a new extended family for the next two weeks.
You sleep together on air-mattresses in school gymnasiums and church basements. You share meals and stories and of course cycle together.
There are mostly Manitobans on the 2018 Cycle of Hope in Oregon. It marks the 25th anniversary of the July 1993 first Jimmy Carter Work Project outside the U.S. hosted by Habitat for Humanity Manitoba.
WATCH: Former U.S president in Winnipeg to help Habitat for Humanity
Lorraine Petkau, 63, has been there since the beginning. She tells the story of a 5-year-old who was on the clean-up crew after a Habitat event called Cycle 500. It was a group of 75 from Minneapolis who cycled to Winnipeg, giving 10 per cent of the money they raised to help Habitat for Humanity Manitoba on a North End build. Charity knows no borders.
The little girl had a tiny wheel-barrel, Petkau recalls, and she was gleefully collecting waste telling us she was doing her part. She was going to get her own bedroom in a home built by volunteers out of the kindness of their hearts.
There was no looking back.
Petkau was enlisted by friend and co-founder Olenka Antymniuk to organize a Winnipeg ride — Eagle Butte, South Dakota to Winnipeg in 1994. It was a success.
Why do people ride?
“Some want the challenge of cycling… but they realize they are helping to raise money to build a home. Lives are changed all around,” says Petkau.
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John Loewen, 49, is executive director of the Loewen Family Foundation, the Steinbach, Man., based charity created by his father C.P. Loewen, the window manufacturer. John got hooked in 1995 when he saw a poster for a month-long cycle to Los Angeles.
“I thought if 49 other people can do it, so can I,” John Loewen said.
He now serves as the chair of the ride.
WATCH: 49 cyclists rode from Niagara Falls to Winnipeg raising over $225,000 for Habitat for Humanity (2015)
Cyclists of all shapes and sizes have peddled throughout Canada and the U.S. every summer raising $3 million to help 22 families gain a home.
Now 25 years later, we started Tuesday going south along the scenic coastline of Oregon from Astoria before we turn eastward later this week.
The money raised will help a family living in an apartment in North Kildonan realize their dream of home ownership. Theogene and Solange are originally from the Republic of Congo. They arrived in Canada in 2013. They have four children. As cyclists we are reminded of the real reason we are here — to help.
Many of the riders are nervous. Mountains are intimidating for these prairie folk. I too must admit I’m not sure what lies ahead. Like you, I am about to find out.
RELATED: Cycle of Hope raises funds for Habitat for Humanity
Click here to support Richard on his ride.
Click here to track him on GPS.
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