Introduction by Nancy Morris;
Olenka has:
- Run a marathon
- Jumped from an airplane as a sky-diver
- Volunteered to work on a Christian Cultural Centre in December in Lithuania in an unheated, unlit concrete structure.
- Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for the past 30 years
- Gone to build homes with Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador, Washington D.C., and Ottawa
- Served on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity-Winnipeg and Chaired the Board of Directors for an additional four years
- Served on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity-Canada
- The pleasure of Co-founding the Cycle of Hope which started in 1994
- Ridden her bicycle over 25,000 kilometers to raise $ for Habitat for Humanity to destinations such as:
Los Angeles, California
Atlanta, Georgia
Kelowna, B.C.
- Been kissed on the cheek by the Ex-President of the U.S.A.
- Obtained her Interior Design Degree at the Faculty of Architecture, U. of M.
Olenka loves:
- Bob
- Family
- Friends
- A cup of coffee, first thing in the morning!
- To have fun!
- Travel
- Pizza & a movie on Friday nights
- The Arts
- Watching the Goldeyes, even when it’s raining
- Travelling to Regina with her hubby to cheer on the Saskatchewan Roughriders at least 10 times every season
In her spare time, Olenka is a freelance Interior Designer, specializing in new homes.
Two years ago, Olenka worked with Nancy and Dave Morris on the remodel of their kitchen and family room. The experience was wonderful – working with Olenka at least!
The Cycle of Hope is special to Olenka. This will be her 17th ride. The first was in 1994. Olenka has been involved in the design of the annual riding jersey, which has changed over the years due to riding comfort and usability. The first was a basic cotton t-shirt with printing on it. The jersey has morphed into a state of the art riding jersey the last few years. Proper material to wick away moisture and dry quickly, as well as easy to wash. Not a white collar, but a slight grey tone to it. The raglan sleeve with no tight arm band, a full zipper on the front to make it comfortable. There is a zippered pocket on the back for money etc.
There are usually 40 cyclists in the Cycle of Hope ride events. She has found that 50 is too many. Most riders join because they want to do an organized bike ride of significant distance. The Cycle of Hope rides are fully supported. There is a support vehicle that has the driver also responsible to prepare food. In addition to this the driver must drive ahead at 25Km intervals to set-up water and snack breaks. All the rider has to do is fundraise and show up on the ride date. During the actual ride all that is required is for them to wake-up and ride. This is their reward for all the fundraising that they have done. In addition to the care free ride experience they get;
- To help a family build a home
- A Police escort back into Winnipeg with no stopping for traffic signals
- Ride directly to the build site
- Family of the new home is present to greet them all
- A house warming party
- See the kids of the family very excited about their new home and how they are going to personalize their home.
It costs $175,000 to build one house including the land. The goal of the Cycle of Hope is to raise enough funds to get one house built. This past year was a banner year for the ride. They were able to raise $300,000.
Every year the committee must choose a destination that will attract the riders as well as assist the rider with getting maximum donations. Most destinations are usually south of the 49th parallel. The Trans Canada Highway is very busy, so usually plan on using secondary roads. In the U.S.A. they are not allowed to ride on the Interstate Highway system. Their secondary roads seem to be better than those in Canada. Past rides have taken the participants to; Kelowna, Chicago, Green Bay, Nashville, Yellowstone Park, St. Louis, Niagara Falls, Jasper to Waterton, as a partial list. The first few rides started in Winnipeg and they would cycle away from Winnipeg for two weeks then bus back home. Then Cycle of Hope changed the ride to bus out to a start point and finish with a triumphant ride back into the City of Winnipeg to the build site. This year the plan is to join a ride that is already planned out, the 2018 – 2023 Trans-American Trail Ride. This will be the first leg of a six-part ride, to finish in 2023. The total ride will be from Astoria, Oregon to Norfolk, Virginia. The 2018 initial ride will start in Astoria, Oregon and end in Baker City, Oregon. A total distance of 905 Kms that includes; 5 days of riding / rest one day / ride 9 days. There is an average of 100.6 Kms/day with an elevation gain of 2,384 meters. The Cycle of Hope riders will leave on June 30, 2018 and return on July 14, 2018. Olenka stated that riding in the mountains seems easier than out on the prairie fighting the prevailing westerly winds.
The riders must prepare for the ride with training. The best plan is to stay fit year-round, at the very least prepare your body for the event ahead. Best to get a riding stand and mount your actual bike in the stand. This will get you comfortable with the bike as well as the distances that will be covered in one day of riding. You will have your butt on the seat for 5 to 8 hours/day which will mean 130Km/day leaning forward on the bike. This will lead to tired arms, neck, lower back. Start training now when the snow is still on the ground.
There are ~600 Cycle of Hope alumni. The ride plan for the next six years has allowed the committee to focus on creating this alumni list to draw from in the future. Last years ride had an additional 46 alumni riders join the ride starting at Portage la Prairie. This enable the group of 96 riders to join each other for the last stretch into Winnipeg and the build site together. This year (2018) the hope is to include more alumni in the final ride back into the City after the bus ride home from Baker City, Oregon.
Over the past 24 years, Cycle for Hope has ridden 1,678,000 Kms. and built 22 homes. This is Olenka’s way to give back to the community. She works on new houses that are technically large enough to house 6 families in each. During the 2017 Cycle of Hope ride, Olenka received the following message from a friend, Bill, (note that the first two weeks of July is the traditional time for the Tour De France competitive ride);
today thru the Pyreenes pedal 160 cyclists in search of fame and economic fortune. cest la tour de france!
would that they could be competing and pedaling for a more noble cause such as what you have done. I am impressed with the tour de france’s intensity, but it is weak in purpose and totally lacks the goals and rewards of what you have done.
the winners of each stage of the tour hold high the flowers and champagne of that days victory, soon to be forgotten by tomorrow. what you do and have done on your ride-tour is remembered by those in need forever.
be proud of what you have done.
raise high your arms in the salute to giving to others.
know that we spectators admire your unselfish commitment to uplifting life and the humble thanks to GOD for the opportunities to do so.
hey bill.
Olenka has great family support for her rides. For 2017, one of her nieces joined the ride. Another niece of hers, that is an artist working for the Calgary Stampede, drove out to meet the ride. She had the shirt Olenka is wearing tonight as a gift for her. It is an artistic rendering of the ride. Bob even helped out by taking a picture of Olenka’s bike (special spokes) to email out to the niece. The spokes are a distinctive part of the artistic rendering, as well as a large ‘O’ on the back…her nickname.
Olenka closed her presentation with a proud “ride 2018 here I come!”.
Q/A
1.- Chuck Crocker asked if the jerseys are made in Canada?
A.- actually made offshore.
2.- What is the oldest age of past riders?
A.- 80 years.
Mike Dudar thanked Olenka for her entertaining and informative presentation. He advised that he has a limited experience with long distance cycling. Mike has traveled 50 to 60 Kms/day for a 6-day tour in the past. He can attest to the work and dedication to get the ride completed let alone the work setting up all the logistics for the ride.
