If employees at the Observatory can do it, anyone can.

Each year, a dedicated group sign up for the annual Bike to Work challenge.

B次元官网网址淓verybody thinks itB次元官网网址檚 hard B次元官网网址� but the gradient isnB次元官网网址檛 that bad,B次元官网网址� said Michael Peddle, the team leader since 2003.

B次元官网网址淚t takes me about 12 minutes to make it from the bottom of the hill to where our offices are,B次元官网网址� he said of the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics.

On Tuesday, Peddle served sandwiches as a volunteer at the B.C. Bike to Work launch event at Victoria City Hall.

The celebration marks the start of registration, whereby offices and other organizations form teams to participate and compete in the 17th annual five-day event.

It takes place in communities around the province from May 30 to June 5.

The goal is to encourage more people to use bikes.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a fun, evil plot to get people to change their behaviour,B次元官网网址� said Lori Garcia-Meredith, vice-president of the non-profit society, addressing the crowd.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been encouraged to see the numbers grow every single year,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ike to Work Week is the introduction B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 the gateway drug,B次元官网网址� she joked.

Peddle helps to keep participation rates high at his office by organizing fun events.

Of the 70 people employed there, 35 participated last year B次元官网网址� including one employee living in James Bay.

On Day 1, the group starts their day downtown for breakfast before starting their cycle to Saanich. On Day 5, cyclers get their reward at the end of their journey.

As they approach the top of the observatory hill, the wafting smell of bacon greets them.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a bacon symposium,B次元官网网址� Peddle said.

rholmen@vicnews.com