News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes 

A new rider hit the road during the Tour de Cariboo ride this year, and like the hundreds of other cyclists who have found the experience immensely enjoyable, Wade Ross said he’s already looking forward to doing it again next year. 

Like other riders, Wade also found the ride a positive experience on several levels. He enjoyed the personal challenge, he liked helping Big Brothers Big Sisters and he also appreciated the health benefits and inspiration that came from peddling a bike for 75 km. 

Wade came in 25th in the tour out of 100 people and raised $110 for BBBS, finishing the 75 km ride in three hours and 33 minutes. He is no stranger to facing challenges, living with a brain injury that resulted from a drinking and driving incident approximately 15 years ago. 

For him, riding a bike is all about being healthy and staying healthy, and he rides his bike from his home at the 150 Mile Roadhouse to Williams Lake every day from April to October. “I want to be healthy for the rest of my life,” he said. “I ride to the gym and the pool at the Complex, and come to the Salvation Army to hang out.” 

After riding 2,660 km last year to and from 150 Mile to Williams Lake, Wade eagerly agreed to take on the challenge of the Tour de Cariboo. Inspired by his friend, Street Nurse Patti Murphy, Wade took his bike into Red Shred’s for a tune-up. 

“The staff at Red Shred’s saw that my bike was in rough shape, and they donated a 99% re-built bike and sponsored me for the race,” he said. “The bike felt really good to ride.”

 He said that, waiting for the race to start, he felt pumped up and ready to go. “The hills on the tour were a workout, but because of how much riding I’ve done in the last two years, it wasn’t that big a deal. The ‘Wine Jug’ hill was the hardest hill, and I had to get off and walk a little bit, about two hours into the ride, but I wasn’t the only one,” he continued. 

“It felt really good to finish the ride---there was a cheering section for everyone. The time-keepers were yelling and cheering, and when I finished there were about three people behind me and a couple ahead of me,” he explained. “I parked my bike, had a big drink of water and sat down and looked at Gavin Lake and all the cabins: I loved it.” 

Another enormous benefit of the ride was meeting fellow riders and Tour de Cariboo volunteers. “I didn’t know anybody, and I got to meet other riders and their friends and families,” he said. “It felt very friendly---the whole crowd was one big friendly face and everybody smiled, waved and talked to everyone else.” 

He said he thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful meal and got a ride home with some of his new friends. 

Wade’s life has changed a lot in the past couple of years, and his determination to master the uphill challenges of the Tour de Cariboo are reflected in the rest of his life. “Before I started riding my bike, my life was on a downhill slope,” he explained. “I said ‘no’ to partying and have now been sober for a year and a half. I’ve also come a long, long way in learning to be positive.” 

He said that he wants to say a big thank you to Shilo Toews from the Brain Injury Society, who paid his entry fee for the Tour de Cariboo. “She really wanted me to be able to race,” he continued. “I’m so happy I did this---I’m going to do it again next year to see if I can beat my time, and so I can help the BBBS.” 

Wade explained that he wants to be healthy for the rest of his life. “In ten years I’ll be glad I started now, and I hope I can inspire other people to see what I’ve done,” he said. “I’m glad to be alive. Being healthy builds your inner strength and makes you proud of who you are.” 

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