Five cyclists have launched a gruelling 1,800-kilometre trek across Alberta to raise money and awareness for the province’s volunteer search and rescue teams.
The week-long ride, called AB4960, began Sunday at the 49th parallel on the U.S. border and will wrap up Aug. 30 at the Northwest Territories boundary on the 60th parallel.
On Monday, Cochrane Search and Rescue volunteers began providing safety support as the cyclists pedalled through steep elevation changes from Canmore to Hinton.
The cyclists expect to spend 10 to 14 hours a day in the saddle, climbing more than 8,000 metres of elevation—most of it in the first four days—and burning up to 10,000 calories each per day.
The ride shines a spotlight on Alberta’s 33 volunteer search and rescue groups, made up of more than 1,400 members. The unassuming athletes and adventurers aim to raise funds and awareness with their challenging ride.
You can track the ride’s progress here. It's updated every five minutes.
Donations can be made in support of Alberta SAR at Donate Now - Search and Rescue Alberta.