Earl and Aggie Klassen of TheCyclingConnection.com, Abbotsford, B.C., came out here to Saskatchewan, to organize a fundraising cyclathon. It was a perfect summer day for riding bikes along the paved shoulders of the Louis Riel highway that goes right by our town, and for our second annual Mark Jenkins' Memorial Ride.
The cyclists began with a devotional led by Earl in front of the Sugar Shack, (which sells ice cream and sweet stuffs) in Hague and ended their day with a barbecue at The Youth For Christ drop-in center called The Zone, also in Hague, next to the Sugar Shack.
Right after we loaded them with snacks, and saw them off with our cameras snapping, Aggie and I hurried back to our house to get the healthy lunch of fruits and veggies and juices ready. Then Aggie took that ahead to the Regional Park to serve the cyclists.
Those travelling the 50 km ride, just went to the Park, and returned to Hague. The riders who chose the 100 km ride, went beyond Duck Lake to a 50 km mark, and were back at the Regional Park to have lunch with the shorter distance riders, before finishing the return trip.
Eric Dueck, the owner of the Bigway, the one grocery store in our town, donated the foods, and I was in charge of the shopping and preparations for lunch and the barbecue. I'd lined up some friends to come help me about 3 pm, however, the Lord knows best and He sent new friends at about 10:30 am, which was a much better time to get the salads made, etc. I had a fine time getting acquainted with Pat and Evelyn as we worked in our kitchen.
After touring our garden, they left for the afternoon, and I took a little lunch and rest break. Except I remembered all of a sudden that the hamburgers had not come with me when I checked out of the store. So I ran back to get them.
I was starting to do my weekly cleaning -- Oops! I was going to make that decadent dessert Earl hinted he liked. So I dropped my broom, and did that. Shortly after that Earl and Fraser who wanted showers came around. Others began to arrive, while I finished off a large tossed salad, and sent people with carloads of food to the Zone.
A soft drizzle had cooled the riders down the last few kilometers. It developed into a pleasant steady rain, much wanted in these parts, so we used the inside of the Zone instead of the back picnic patio for our barbecue. This is where I got to hear more of the riders' stories.
Barb and Doug Jenkins, for whose deceased son this ride was named last year, participated again this year. Collin and Jody, two of Mark's four brothers had joined the other riders. The family was comforted knowing that Mark's youthful enthusiasm lives on. Barb and Doug stayed with the cyclists as part the support team.
Sandra Rempel, from Osler, the next town south of us, bravely signed up for the ride not knowing how far she could go. When asked what distances she had ridden in the past, she said, "Well, I went from Osler to Hague once when I was a teenager." (That's 11 miles, or 18 km). Her husband, John, followed in case he'd have to finish her ride for her. The Rempels were pleasantly surprised that she could do the 50 km easily. Her husband feels that next year he should ride as well.
The Jenkins and Rempel were riding in support of Western Tract Mission, Inc., which will use the funds raised to print a new tract for this fall.
Also riding in the cyclathon, was Fraser Henderson of Saskatoon, who is a seasoned cyclist, and took on the 100 km on behalf of "Food for the Hungry."
Another rider was John Fast of Abbotsford, B.C., who happened to be vacationing in Saskatchewan with his wife Pat. He grew up in Hepburn, and decided to ride here for the Canadian Food for the Hungry. Fast took on the 100 km as a chance to stretch himself. Pat and John's sister, Evelyn, joined with the support staff, helping to prepare food for the barbecue.
"It couldn't have been a nicer day!" said Klassen, an accountant in Abbotsford, whose cycling avocation eats up all his free time, "I line up these cyclathons every year, providing all the organizational work so that any Christian ministry that signs up may use these events for fundraising." Klassen plans three annual events in B.C, and Alberta, besides this one.
This, by comparison, was a small ride, and it raised nearly $4000 for the two ministries involved.
It's hard to pick dates here in the summer, when there aren't already other good things happening. However, speaking as a Board Member/secretary of the Western Tract Mission, we hope others will catch-on to the fun of fundraising with The Cycling Connection.
Besides, I saw God at work in little perfect-timings, and provisions throughout this cyclathon.
I'm also involved in preparing that new kids' Halloween tract, made possible by the funds raised. It is to be printed and ready to announce to churches and supporters for use by early this fall. We envision it having a great impact on both kids and adults for years to come.
Note: TheCyclingConnection.com website is no longer there. I don't know what happened.
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