Cyclists from across Vancouver Island, including Duncan and Ladysmith, are embarking on a trip across Sub-Saharan Africa this weekend.
For the next month, the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa will take a virtual ride to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, supporting grandmothers in Africa who are raising their grandchildren who were orphaned by AIDS. Ranging in age from 58 to 86, the riders hail from Duncan, Ladysmith, Victoria, Cambpell River and Merville.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, riders cycled from Campbell River to Victoria as a group. The last two years, they have set their own routes, choosing a distance that is personally challenging.
Riders can opt for a conventional bike, e-bike or stationary bike, and invite donors to support their efforts.
Many riders will be visible in their communities, sporting bright green, yellow and orange cycling jerseys.
The campaign runs until Sept. 10, and on Sept. 12 the riders will gather at Mile Zero in Victoria to celebrate the kilometres ridden and funds raised.
This is the 15th year of the Victoria Grandmothers Cycling Tour.
The 2020 virtual tour was the group’s most successful campaign to date as 67 women rode more than 27,000 km, raising a whopping $145,000.
Visit slf.akaraisin.com/ui/grandmotherspledges2021/t/CycleTour15 to donate to the campaign.
For more information, visit www.victoriagrandmothersforafrica.ca, grandmotherscampaign.org, stephenlewisfoundation.org or Victoria Grandmothers for Africa on Facebook.