What’s your day job? Program Analyst What’s your past biking experience? I started during COVID What’s your inspiration for this ride? Personal growth and raising funds for my local United Way in Bruce Grey.
How are you preparing for B4UW? Playing hockey and lacrosse. What do you think will be your greatest challenge on the ride? Waking up early and eating a big breakfast.
What do you like to do other than riding your bike? Camping and playing guitar.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself: I host a weekly hockey podcast.
Jen is riding for a fourth year for the B4UW, having participated previously in the Manitoulin ride and the Prince Edward County rides. Supporting the United Way is becoming increasingly important to her, as it is evident locally in Peterborough that community needs are growing each year. A highlight of participating in B4UW remains meeting OPS colleagues and learning about the important work they do for Ontarians, which also makes the kilometers on the bike go by faster . Thank you for your support!
What’s your past biking experience? I am relatively new to cycling. Started about six years ago and quickly re-discovered that child like joy of being on a bike, exploring on two wheels and connecting with nature. I do enjoy exploring new routes and really love exploring “rail trails”. I have explored rail trails in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ontario. This June, I did the Rum Runner Trail from Halifax to Mahone Bay. My goal is to cycle trails in every province, most likely a post-retirement adventure.
What’s your inspiration for this ride? I am looking to expand my network of friends as well as explore new roads. I have previously raised money for the Great Cycle Challenge for sick kids and this seems like another good cause.
How are you preparing for B4UW? Nothing specific, just get out on the bike regularly, mixing in road and gravel rides. Doing some back to back rides is a good idea though.
What do you think will be your greatest challenge on the ride? I am newer to group riding, so that will be a bit new. Making sure I get enough food and water for a longer than normal days in the saddle.
What do you like to do other than riding your bike? I have always been athletic and still play volleyball and enjoy keeping fit by working out, hiking, yoga, swimming and walking. I have done some traveling with my adult children which is such a great experience: Ireland, Maritimes and BC.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself. I have been known to break out in dance to the right song. Funny because I am a fairly quiet, introverted and laid back guy!
What’s your day job? Manager, Office Services and Administration
What’s your past biking experience? I took up road cycling to chase after my husband 5 years ago. We have gone on many adventures together, camping and cycling and recently joined a cycling group to experience group riding.
What’s your inspiration for this ride? I work for a United Way funded charity, Radius Child and Youth Services. RCYS is Ontario’s largest provider of specialized care for children and youth affected by abuse. They are committed to supporting children on their journey to heal from trauma caused by abuse and focus on prevention and intervention to help stop abuse before it happens. RCYS has been providing help to children, youth and families for almost 40 years. They’ve accomplished great things and have been witness to thousands of inspiring stories of strength, resiliency and hope. Supporting the United Way helps the children and youth at my agency to receive the support that they need. It truly makes a difference, I see it every day.
To support RCYS make a note to designate your donation to Radius Child and Youth Services, United Way Halton and Hamilton.
How are you preparing for B4UW? I have been outside biking most days when the weather is cooperating. I do shorter, faster rides during the weekday mornings and longer, hillier rides on the weekends.
What do you think will be your greatest challenge on the ride?
The distance will be a challenge and the possibility of riding in wet, inclement weather. I am hoping for warm temperatures and sunshine!!
What do you like to do other than riding your bike? I like to hike, ski, camp and do the occasional spin and yoga classes at the gym. I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and my dog.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself. I am a mother to 5 wonderful children, grandmother to a beautiful grandson and everything to an old dog.
I am a retiree from Ministry of Health and 2nd year B4UW rider. I came back because it was a fun time for a good cause. I am preparing by just riding. I hope to reconnect with the riders and raise funds for United way.
I am a senior business analyst with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. For the past three B4UW rides I rode in Prince Edward County. I thought I’d do something different this year and go virtual. I really enjoy riding, being outside and helping out whenever I can. Which is why riding for the United Way is so important. Thank you for your support.
What’s your day job? Manager, Protected Areas Section
What’s your past biking experience? Just started longer-distance road riding last year and really enjoying with friends, family and Peterborough Cycling Club. Only did recreational rides and commuting before that.
What’s your inspiration for this ride? Chance to contribute towards a great cause with a new-found sport. First time participating in a group ride on this scale.
How are you preparing for B4UW? Long rides with groups of friends and Peterborough Cycling Club.
What do you think will be your greatest challenge on the ride? This is my first big organized ride, so we’ll see!
What do you like to do other than riding your bike? Curl, hike, camp, music festivals and concerts, family stuff.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself. Big fan and supporter of live music. On the board of Peterborough Folk Festival and host house concerts with fabulous musicians playing intimate little concerts for 30 folks in our living room.
What’s your day job? Assistant Crown Attorney, Etobicoke, Ontario
What’s your past biking experience?
Not much experience recently. I did a self funded leave and lived in France for a year, five years ago. I did lots of biking then in the Pyrenees mountains and even climbed the famous col du Tourmalet on the Tour de France route. Recently, I have obtained a road bike and have started getting in shape.
What’s your inspiration for this ride?
My inspiration is simply to get back on a road bike again and to have a goal to assist me and to also help the United Way,
How are you preparing for B4UW?
Preparation is still early days, I think the two day ride in PE should not be too crazy, next year I want to try the long ride which will be crazy!
What do you think will be your greatest challenge on the ride?
The challenge will be to avoid aches and pains but that goes with the territory so no real concerns there.
What do you like to do other than riding your bike?
I like to get outside however possible, travel, read and spend time with my two girls and my wife.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I like to bike sometimes to work on my hybrid, about 21km from High park area of Toronto to Finch and highway 400, I take the humber river path most of way then industrial roads. Really enjoy it when I can get here that way, great start to day, only problem is no showers at office so I have to come up with ways to deal with that issue, such as have lots of extra clothes on hand!
I am a retiree from Ministry of Health and 2nd year B4UW rider. I came back because it was a fun time for a good cause. I am preparing by just riding. I hope to reconnect with the riders and raise funds for United way.
I am a senior business analyst with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. For the past three B4UW rides I rode in Prince Edward County. I thought I’d do something different this year and go virtual. I really enjoy riding, being outside and helping out whenever I can. Which is why riding for the United Way is so important. Thank you for your support.
