Andreas Link (MINES / MND)

Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Northern Development

Years doing the B4UW? I think this will be my eighth year participating in the B4UW.

What’s your day job? Senior Policy Advisor, Northern Resource Economic Policy Unit, Strategic Policy Division.

What’s your past biking experience? I have done a number of long distance charity rides. I am not a pro rider or ride for speed. I just try and be consistent and keep pedaling.

What’s your inspiration for this ride? The local charities that we meet along the way really make a difference in the communities. If they didn’t get the fund raising dollars I feel we would lose the compassion in our society.

How are you preparing for B4UW? I ride with my family, pulling a trailer or ride-along. I try to get out a few times a week on longer 40-60-100k rides to stretch the legs.

What do you think will be your greatest challenge on the ride? I will be riding the three days from Tobermorey to Toronto. The biggest challenge will be keeping up with the Thunder Bay riders! Secondary will be staying safe on the way into Toronto after many miles of rural riding.

What do you like to do other than riding your bike? I am a huge fan of my two kids, Claire (6 yrs) and Nathan (2 yrs). I just try to get them to fall in love with the outdoors, with adventures everyday. That might be walking or scooting to school, or hiking the rail trails/bruce trail. On weekends we try to go further, to canoe, swim, rock climb or ski.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself. My daughter, Claire, goes to the same school that I went to, Earl Kitchener Elementary in Hamilton. In fact, she went to the same exact classroom that I went to Kindergarten. I tried to get out of Hamilton, but she pulled me back in!

Bike for United Way (B4UW) is now a tradition for me each year. It allows me to connect to the local charities that benefit from the Bike for United Way campaign. The donations change lives that are living on the margins and need the support. The ride also allows me to see different parts of this beautiful province. Ontario is a great place to see by bicycle and cycling gives you such a great perspective of local communities.