Former Tahltan chief cycles 112 challenging km to raise funds for community

Approximately 30 cyclists are taking part in a gruelling 112 km bike ride in northwestern B.C. today, raising money for a community ice rink and rec centre.

"It's a super challenging experience but very rewarding because the scenery of the Stikinegrand canyon and the whole route is extremely beautiful," said Rick Mclean, organizer and former chief of the Tahltan Band.

Mclean says he started the Tour de Telegraphsix years ago when he was chief and a band member needed a new wheelchair. The ride starts at Telegraph Creek and ends at Dease Lake, B.C.

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"His request came and through our normal source of funding we couldn't meet it, but we couldn't turn him down. We had to do something. And a meagre fundraiser wasn't quite enough so I thought my two wheels would help him get new wheels," he said.

Through donations and company sponsorships, the ride has raised between $20,000 and $30,000 each year for various community health costs, including travel expenses for family membersto travel with loved ones when they leave forurban centres for surgery.

"The government dollars don't cover for that," said Mclean. "Our requests to the band have always been for the support member, whether it be a spouse or a grandchild or a niece or a nephew, to go there and stay with them and help them through the process."

This year Mclean says the Dease Lake Arena and Rec Centre, which is volunteer driven and receives no federal funding, is in need of maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.

"Keeping the kids on the ice is important to us and I think it's a good thing to support the cause," he said.

It's important to get out there and do something rather than just ask [for money].-RickMclean, fundraising ride coordinator

Mclean says companies who work in Tahltan territory have always been eagerto support the initiative and will even send their owners and presidents to participate in the ride.

"It's important to get out there and do something rather than just ask [for money].It's important for me to paddle that 112 km and not stop on the hills. It makes me feel better at the end of the day to go to companies and ask them to support this cause," Mclean said.

"When we see the kids on the ice rink, it's all worth it."