Cycling the Silk Route for charity

BY MELANIE SCHULER

It’s not going to be just another ride down Lakeshore Road but rather a 108-day cycling voyage lasting 10,000 kilometres.

This is the journey that 60-year-old Edwina Mattinson will begin on Saturday. The adventure is an extreme cycling journey named The Silk Route and it is organized by Tour d’Afrique Ltd., a company based out of Toronto which sets up three different destination cycling expeditions. The main objective of Tour d’Afrique is to raise environmental awareness and to encourage the use of the bicycle as a method of transportation. This is the second time Mattinson, a Beaconsfield resident, will be participating in the Tour d’Afrique.

“I read an article in 2002 about this cycling expedition and in 2004 my husband Ted and I cycled the Cairo to Cape-Town route. It was a huge confidence booster and made me realize anyone can do anything,” she said.

The route that Mattinson will be cycling begins in Istanbul, Turkey and ends in Beijing, China. The first cycling route there began Jan. 15, 2003 and was not only completed in four months but also established the first Guinness World Record for ‘fastest human powered crossing of Africa.’ Along the route, cyclist can either sleep in tents or in hotels depending on whether they chose the adventure or comfort package. Not only does Tour d’Afrique Ltd. challenge the body and mind of the riders, but it also challenges the cyclist to support a charity. Tour d’Afrique encourages its cyclist to raise money for a local charity that the cyclist is passionate about. Mattinson is raising money for two organizations, NOVA and Holly’s Room. NOVA, located in Beaconsfield, offers a variety of services such as palliative home care, cancer care and personal support in efforts to meet and exceed community needs in the health care sector.

“Our services are run by staff and a large amount of volunteers and at times we work with local CLSC services,” said NOVA executive director Jane Lumbsden. “We run a café, three thrift stores and a furniture store to raise funds for our organization.”

Mattinson is a volunteer at NOVA’s bookstore and has worked hands on with the organization in raising funds. “I think it’s fabulous what Edwina is doing for NOVA. It’s not only a wonderful opportunity for Edwina to embark on an adventure but NOVA is lucky to be the charity that Edwina has chosen to raise money for,” said Jane Lumbsden.

Holly’s Room is a project that furnishes the Montreal General Hospital’s new psychiatry ward. Holly Nelson, whom which the organization is named after, passed away in December 2005 and was a dear friend of Mattinson.

“All I can say is I am addicted to these adventures. I am not an avid cyclist but I love adventure,” Mattinson said.

To donate to either one of these foundations, you can contact Mattinson at emattinson2002@yahoo.com.