MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY

During his first Ride Around The Lake event, he gained knowledge about how Habitat for Humanity helps individuals purchase a home. “A lot of people have this misconception,” said Ken, “that Habitat is giving the homes away.” Applicants to the Habitat for Humanity program are given the opportunity to purchase their new home with a zero-interest mortgage and receive a payment plan that is scaled to their income. Ken points out, the program requires each family to volunteer 500 hours which can take the form of working in the Habitat “ReStore” retail store or working to build their own house on-site.

With a goal firmly in his mind and brimming with inspiration, Ken approached Kevin Van, President & Chief Executive Officer, Qualico to create a ride in Alberta. The first group of participants invited to take on the challenge was a mix of cyclists and non-cyclists that had a connection to the industry and/or the cause.

Ten years later, the ride has raised over $1,000,000. This has helped fund almost the entire cost of building a single Habitat for Humanity home for each year the ride has been in existence—a huge accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of everyone involved. Each rider that participates is encouraged to raise $2,500 though some, Ken said, have personally raised upwards of $20,000. This year, the ride is welcoming some new sponsorship. Having sponsors on board helps cover the administration of the ride, meaning that 100% of the funds raised go directly into building a home.

Ken anticipates 45 riders will take on a new route in Invermere B.C. for Ride Through The Rockies 2023. In the past, the ride has taken place around the Kananaskis and Banff area in Alberta. However, one thing that won’t change is the motivation that Ken brings to the ride and the feeling that he hopes the riders take away from participating.

“I do like to challenge riders,” Ken said, “to do something that’s out of their comfort zone.” Traditionally, the ride takes place over three days and cyclists will ride close to 400 km over the weekend. “When they’re not sure whether they can finish it, and when they’re in a dark spot on the road, I want them to think about why they’re doing it, because that person who is leaving their work day to go put in a six-hour shift on their Habitat house—I guarantee they’re feeling worse.”

Ultimately, Ride Through the Rockies is about bringing cyclists together for an exciting and challenging experience in the spirit of altruism and friendship. Ten years on, Ken has had countless once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the ride. He has seen how devoting time and effort to this cause and ride has changed the lives of the Habitat families and the lives of the riders in the most positive ways.

An experience like that is well worth the price of climbing onto that black leather saddle and stepping into those pedals again and again.

Did you know?

WRLA President Liz Kovach, and WRLA Director of Professional Development, Martine Yzerman, first met when they participated in the Ride Through The Rockies in 2019. Scan the QR code to read their story from Habitat for Humanity of Southern Alberta.