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For Immediate Release
Maple Ridge Cyclist Gears Up to Ride 200km in Support of Clean Air
August 2012 - Maple Ridge’s Simone Lylack is gearing up to participate in the BC Lung Association’s 28th Annual Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath (Trek), an exhilarating two-day, 200 km scenic ride from White Rock to Cultus Lake to raise funds in support of lung health. This year’s ride takes place September 8 and 9, 2012.
To participate, ‘Trekkers’ are required to pay a $25 administration fee and raise a minimum donation of $475 required by event day. In return, they travel a fully supported route from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel their journey, and fabulous scenery.
Veteran ‘Trekker’ Simone Lylack will be taking part this year for the fourth time.
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“I first stumbled into Trek by accident actually,” said Lylack. “I was in a sporting store with a friend and saw a brochure. I couldn’t believe the BC Lung Association was offering an entire, fully supported weekend of fun for less than $500 of fundraising!” “Neither I, nor my friend, had proper road bikes at the time, but off we went young and a little naïve. Turns out we had the most fun two people could have without ending up in jail! I’ve met so many people participating in Trek and I’ve maintained the friendships too,” says Lylack. It just so happens, Trek 2012 Trek falls on her daughter’s, and grandsons, birthday.
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“I started participating in Trek for the adventure, now I do it for my grandson Ethan,” says Lylack. “Ethan has asthma, and some days it’s really bad. He has his own nebulizer to minimize trips to the hospital.” Until four years ago, Lylack was a pack-a-day smoker. In honour of her grandson, she quit on August 11, 2008 with help from the BC Lung Association’s QuitNow program (www.quitnow.ca). |
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“I’ll never forget the first year I did Trek. Ethan put on my gloves and helmet and told me when he was big enough, he was going to ride with Grandma,” continues Lylack. “So the BC Lung Association and I, well, we’re family, and I participate in all their events.”
“No one puts on an event like BC Lung Association; No one. And I know because I do a lot of events. In the last 7 years, I’ve probably run about 75 half-marathons, a few marathons, a dozen or so trail races, a 50 km trail race, and quite a few other crazy adventure races. Not one is as fun and well organized” |
Designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist, Trek is a ride not a race. To get ready, ‘veteran Trekker’ Lylack suggests, “The best thing anyone can do for to get ready for Trek is to put time on the saddle. You don’t have to be fast, you just have to be consistent --- or else you’ll get a sore bum come ride time….true story!”
Chris Lam, Development Manager for the BC Lung Association says. “People of all ages from all walks of life take it upon themselves to volunteer and raise funds in support of lung health through the BC Lung Association. More important than anything else is the genuine care and effort everyone puts in – participants and volunteers alike – it is truly inspiring.”
For more information about the Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath call the BC Lung Association at 604.731.5864 or toll free at 1.800.665.5864 (outside Greater Vancouver) or visit www.bc.lung.ca.
Media contact
Katrina van Bylandt, Communications Manager, BC Lung Association
T 604.731.5864, or 1.800.665.LUNG (5864)