The annual Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) Big Bike ride is wheeling into 100 Mile House on June 4.
Over the years, 100 Mile House has had teams involved with the annual event. With 29 riders on the bike, the ride takes about 15-20 minutes, starting at the Save-On-Foods parking lot, travelling down Birch Avenue and circling behind Safeway and then back to the lot.
The TIB Jones & Friends team led by April Roberts, has 22 members signed up, with three maybes.
In 2011, the TIB Jones team received the Spirit Award from HSF for their efforts.
It's a lot of fun, and for a good cause, Roberts says, adding her team rides at 3:30 p.m.
The HSF gives the Spirit Award to the team in each community that earns the most points from: registering the team early; registering and fundraising online; having members raise more than $300 each; wear costumes; have a full team; have a team cheer; and show up on the event day with pledge forms and pledges.
The 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue is headed by Tammy McDermid.
"We decided to get involved in the Big Bike fundraiser every two years," says McDermid.
"The department volunteers in the Big Boot drive, too. We want to be involved, but we also don't want to have our members to burn out."
In 2010, she adds, their department raised more money for HSF than the Kamloops Fire Department team.
So far, the 100 Mile House Fire-Recue & Friends has nine members on the team. More feet make less work, McDermid says, adding her team ride starts at 6 p.m.
There are a few teams forming for 100 Mile House but they need riders. Visit the website at www.bigbike.ca to join a team, donate or sponsor a Big Biker.
While there is no registration fee for Big Bike, each participant who rides is asked to raise a minimum of $50.