Photo: Larch Hills Nordic Society The Canadian Mental Health Association is taking the road less travelled as this year's Ride Don't Hide event heads to the gravel trails at Larch Hills. The CMHA Ride Don’t Hide fundraiser will take place at Larch Hills Nordic Ski Area on Oct. 6.
Riders will enjoy a gravel bike ride with a variety of distance options to ensure anyone can come out and join the community event. Event organizer Emily Bostrom explained the fundraiser is part of a wider series of Ride Don’t Hide events taking place across Canada. “It's been going for 12 years across Canada through CMHA in different communities,” she said.
“It's not really a race, more of a community event promoting wellness, connection, and then also a fundraiser for mental health programs.” In the past, CMHA Shuswap-Revelstoke has run the event as a road ride, but for this year’s event, organizers decided to move the course to the gravel trails at Larch Hills Nordic Ski Area. “It's so beautiful just riding through the forest,” Bostrom said.
“We're really excited about this change to a gravel ride.” The event features a 5 kilometre walk, as well as 10 and 20 kilometre gravel bike ride options. A 40 kilometre timed ride division is available for the most experienced riders.
Bostrom said she thinks the switch to a gravel ride will help people connect more during the event. “We want people to come in and connect with each other, and gravel riding really lends itself to that because you can ride any bike, you can ride your old bike, you can ride a new bike, you can ride an e-bike,” she said. “It's just for fun, so really, everyone is invited.
” After the ride, participants can stop at the Larch Hills Chalet for a hot lunch of butter chicken to warm up after the cool autumn ride. Riders are asked to pre-register for the event. After registration, they will have access to an online fundraising page.
CMHA are asking riders to try and raise as much money as they can for local mental health programs. There are also team pages for people who register as a part of a group, where money raised will go towards the team's total. “There's an online platform that makes it really easy,” Bostrom said.
“You can share it on your Facebook account or whatever social media platform you are on, email it to people as well, whichever way you want to do it.” All of the money raised by Ride Don’t Hide participants will help fund local mental health programs in the Shuswap and Revelstoke areas. “My favourite part is just when it comes together and just how much fun it is,” Bostrom said.
“It's a lot of work to put together, but it's a feel good event, people have fun, they're connecting, they're happy that they're part of it, and that just makes it all worthwhile.” To learn more about the event, to register or to make a donation, visit the CMHA Shuswap-Revelstoke website ..
