The Badlands to Banff (B2B) Bicycle Expedition is heading into its third year and it looks like interest is strong for the annual event.
B2B goes August 10-19. The ride is the product of a partnership among the Drumheller RCMP, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and Two Wheel View. It is geared towards young people between the ages of 14 and 17. Constable Craig Nelson is heading up the excursion locally and says its creating abuzz.
“I have parents calling, saying, ‘my kids want to go, how do we do it?’” Nelson tells inSide Drumheller. “I’ve had three or four kids say not just that they were interested in going, but they are going.”
There is an information night coming up this Wednesday, March 18 to learn more about the trip.
Colin Rioux of Two Wheel View, the company that arranged the trip, says there are 10 spots for the ride. The route leaves the valley and takes the scenic route all the way to the heart of the Rockies, camping along the way.
“We go through four landscapes, from the Badlands to the prairies and the foothills to the Rocky Mountains, so it gives our participants a great view of their backyard,” said Rioux “We says to our youth ‘if you can get out of Drumheller, you can get there.’ That is the hardest climb.”
The trip fits in well with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, a merit program that is recognized internationally and has service, growth and adventure requirements.
“It fits all the requirements for the volunteering and outdoor adventure,” said Chelsey Dawes of The Duke of Edinburgh Awards, adding it fulfills the requirements at the bronze, silver and gold levels of the award.
Nelson says the Duke of Edinburgh program is valuable, but it is not a requirement to participate in the B2B Bicycle Expedition. The ride is divided up into manageable stages that do not require having an advanced fitness level.
There is a fundraising component to the excursion to cover the required money for the participants, and in most cases, riders were able to fundraise for all the associated costs within a few months. All the gear and expenses are covered.
Those interested in getting involved or learning more are invited to an information session on Wednesday, March 18 at the BCF at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Nelson at 403-820-4264.
