Riding down awareness highway

Brooke Carere (from left), Jessica De Leo of Ottawa, Crystal Rydall, Nicole Violini and Jodie Meek celebrate their arrival in Ottawa yesterday. The women are cycling from Victoria to St. John’s to raise awareness of climate change. (Sean Kilpatrick, Ottawa SUN)

Sweaty and exhausted, but beaming at their accomplishments, five women cycled into Ottawa yesterday during their cross-country bike ride to raise money to combat climate change.

Ottawa resident Jessica De Leo was relieved to be home for a day and a half of rest before hopping back onto her bike.

Prior to this, De Leo had never been on a road bike, and aside from a recreational interest in mountain biking, wasn't a regular cyclist. In addition to wanting to prove to herself she could do it, De Leo wanted to show others they can make small sacrifices to save the environment.

"What's biking to work when we are biking across Canada?" De Leo asked.

A sixth cyclist, Cassie Janca, also of Ottawa, was travelling behind the group after having injured her knee just days into the ride.

The ride started July 1 in Victoria and will finish 7,500 kms later in September at St. John's.

ON THEIR OWN

Unlike many cross-country cycles, the women don't have a support vehicle and are carrying everything on their bikes, about 80 lbs. each. At night, they set up their own camp.

To ease the boredom, the women play "Road Kill Bingo" which cyclist Nicole Violini said was especially popular in Saskatchewan.

"There was literally one animal every 20 metres," she said.

Anyone wanting more information about the ride or how to donate can log on to www.theride05.ca