Two Greater Victoria cyclists are preparing for an epic quest to B次元官网网址淓verestB次元官网网址� Bear Mountain Parkway.
Ethan Pauly and Jackson Bocksnick plan to cycle the height of Mount Everest in one day to raise funds for KidSport Greater Victoria, a charity that helps youth in financial need to participate in organized sports.
B次元官网网址淚 think right now everyone is looking for a sense of a community. We wanted to find a way to interact and give back,B次元官网网址� said Bocksnick. He noted that the Black Lives Matter movement made him reflect on his time in sports and all the teammates he has had, and realize how few were Indigenous people.
B次元官网网址淚t was alarming to think how little representation there was, not just at the elite level, but all throughout,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淜idSport was one of the first organizations that came to mind, that works to get underprivileged kids access to sports. And they do outreach to try and get funds specifically for Indigenous youth and new Canadians.B次元官网网址�
Bocksnick feels fortunate to have built many meaningful relationships through sport and loves that it brings together people across racial divides.
B次元官网网址淩eflecting on these experiences in light of the current social awakening, I have come to realize that I not only had the opportunity to benefit from participation in sport, but I had the privilege of doing so. Sport, which can provide a measurable benefit for social development in youth, should not be another arena where the privilege of access widens the racial economic divide in our society.B次元官网网址�
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The B次元官网网址淓verestingB次元官网网址� challenge on the newer section of Bear Mountain Parkway will take place on July 25, weather permitting, between Flint Avenue and the summit B次元官网网址� approximately 1.6 kilometres. Bocksnick and Pauly will ride the stretch back and forth 62 times until the elevation climbed in total is equal or more than that of Mount Everest, or 8,848 metres.
B次元官网网址淚t sounds a little bit crazy, but B次元官网网址楨verestingB次元官网网址� has been a bit of a trend in the cycling world lately,B次元官网网址� Bocksnick said. B次元官网网址淲e have tossed around the idea to see if we could do it, and now without any races going on we thought we would give it a try. Working with KidSport has helped us build more energy and momentum around the challenge, so we are feeling motivated.B次元官网网址�
The riders are members of an elite group called TaG Cycling Race Team, which gives opportunity for cyclists to compete in professional races across North America and abroad.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be a hard event, probably one of the hardest days on a bike IB次元官网网址檝e ever had. There are undoubtedly going to be some dark moments, but we both have had some long days riding before so I feel prepared. It has become less about the race, and more about what we can do with it,B次元官网网址� said Bocksnick.
He encourages avid cyclists to come out and pedal a few laps with them if they are feeling up to it.
B次元官网网址淲e want to use our ride to show how sport can bring a community together and should be inclusive to everyone regardless of economic or racial background.B次元官网网址�
The challenge begins at 7:30 a.m. with an expected finish time about 5 p.m. For more information or to donate to the fundraiser, please visit .
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