VICTORIA, British Columbia, July 4, 2006 — More than 75 cyclists from all across Canada hopped on their bikes July 2 and cycled out of Victoria, B.C., beginning the Bike for Bibles Centennial Ride; a two-month, 7,800 km journey across the nation.
Representing more than 17 Christian denominations, the cyclists have given up their entire summer to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the Canadian Bible Society (CBS), and to raise funds to support the Bible cause.
The 64-day journey will take cyclists literally over mountains and into valleys, through more than 100 Canadian communities as diverse as Swift Current, Sask. and Montreal, Que. until they hit the shores of Newfoundland on September 3.
Cyclists commissioned
An emotionally moving commissioning service for the cyclists and support team was held on the evening of July 1 — Canada Day — at Rest Haven Seventh Day Adventist Church. Messages from church pastor Ern Brake, CBS British Columbia district director Bill Absolom and CBS national director Phyllis Nesbitt encouraged the team.
The next morning, the cyclists were anxious to set out. Recording details of the events of the day at www.bikeforbibles.ca, CBS North Alberta district director and ride coordinator Bruce Kemp writes "the excitement could not be contained."
"With no alarm clock, people woke up at 4:30 in the morning. Packing was done, breakfast eaten and we were on our way to Mile Zero by 7:15 a.m. Once there, we gathered in Beacon Hill Park. Many people took the journey down the steps to the water and dipped wheels, toes and hands into the [Pacific Ocean]," writes Kemp.
The cyclists and road crew conducted a brief devotional, which included the singing of For Canada, played on the stereo of one of the support vehicles. After a short prayer, they set off for the local ferry.
The day's journey ended in Abbotsford, B.C. at 5 p.m., when the riders arrived at New Life Christian Reformed Church.
An early bedtime but not much sleep
"After a wonderful meal, it was off for showers and an early bed," writes Kemp.
So eager were they to get started the next day that many cyclists spurned the opportunity to sleep in. Riding from Abbotsford to Mission, then on Highway 7 from Mission to Agassiz, the wind was at their backs for much of the day. They enjoyed a delicious lunch in a lovely park shaded by big trees, then set out for the last part of the day's journey to Hope.
To follow the team's adventures, visit www.bikeforbibles.ca and click on recent updates.
Bike for Bibles is a fundraising activity employed by Bible societies around the world. Started in Australia in 1984, the annual rides generate funds for Bible translation, publication and distribution projects globally.
All monies raised through the Centennial ride will help the CBS in their work of translating, publishing, distributing and encouraging the use of the Scriptures in Canada today.
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