Canadian cyclists take on the Rocky Mountains for Somali water project

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$180,000 has been raised in the last five years for water programs in Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Mauritania.
Seven cyclists will be riding 1100km through the Rocky Mountains, their only access to water being the fresh water sources they find on their route. Photo/World Vision/Wheels for Wells
(July 05, 2017)
Calgary, AB - A group of seven cyclists will be riding 1100km through the Rocky Mountains, their only access to water being the fresh water sources they find on their route.

The fundraising challenge is being run by Calgary charity, Wheels for Wells. The seven cyclists will ride from Vancouver to Calgary from July 27th-31st. Their hope is to raise awareness and funds for World Vision Canada’s water project in Somalia.

“In Canada we are lucky, we have access to an abundance of water. The number one point of this ride is to create awareness of global communities that do not. We wanted to do something disruptive that will cause people to think about water and have the critical conversations about global water issues.” said Ride Director, David Custer.

He and the team plan to start the conversation by showing how easy it is to access clean water here in Canada, by only drinking from the streams and rivers they find along the way.

“Although riding over 1000 km from Vancouver to Calgary will be a huge test of my endurance, it won’t be anything in comparison to the struggle millions face every day in their search for clean and safe drinking water,” said rider, two-time Ironman, Boston Marathon and Xterra World Championship competitor Jaylene Kemp.

Wheels for Wells Founder, Alex Weber, 14, said, “My dream is for all the world to have clean water. It is not an unrealistic dream.” With over $180,000 raised in the last five years to support water programs in Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Mauritania, the group seems to be making progress on this goal.

Ride Dates
July 27-Vancouver-Sunshine Valley Resort
July 28-Sunshine Valley Resort-Kelowna
July 29-Kelowna-Revelstoke
July 30-Revelstoke-Great Divide Lodge
July 31-Great Divide Lodge-Calgary