After weeks on the road, Nicole Troyer has officially completed her solo trek across Alberta, travelling on foot and bike from the Saskatchewan border to the B.C. line. She crossed her final finish line Saturday, June 28 in Demmitt, where friends and supporters welcomed her with a handmade banner and plenty of cheers.
“It was weird waking up that day,” Nicole said in a follow-up interview Monday. “I thought I’d be excited, but I felt kind of sad. My brain just couldn’t process that it was the last day.”
Throughout her journey, Nicole faced physical and mental challenges, from aching muscles to difficult nutrition. “Trying to eat enough was the hardest part. I’d lose my appetite, but I knew I had to fuel my body to keep going.” Still, the kindness of strangers, like a couple who spotted her in Valleyview and later surprised her at the finish line, kept her going.
When asked how the trek changed her, Nicole reflected on the importance of being present. “There were highs and lows every day, but I had to learn to embrace the good moments, even if they only lasted five minutes. That mindset helped me through it all.”
Nicole’s GoFundMe is still open, with over $15,000 raised online and another $2,000 in cash and e-transfers. Donations continue to support her mission of raising mental health awareness through movement and resilience. To donate, visit her GoFundMe page at:
Fundraiser by Nicole Troyer : Miles For Smiles - Mental Health Awareness Run