Argentina-bound cyclists pass through city

A Montreal couple cycling 25,000 kilometres from Alaska to Argentina to raise money for sending used bicycles to developing countries made a stop in Whitehorse this week.

A Montreal couple cycling 25,000 kilometres from Alaska to Argentina to raise money for sending used bicycles to developing countries made a stop in Whitehorse this week.

“The hills are formidable but the views spectacular,” Torrey Pass said today of his and partner Lucie Poulin’s pedal from Anchorage to the Yukon’s capital. “We’re really at the beginning of our journey.”

It’s a journey that got started several years ago when Pass and Poulin, who both work as bike couriers, met on the streets of Montreal.

“Just (that job) gives us the confidence we’re tough enough to make this trip,” Poulin told the Star with a laugh.

But navigating rush hour traffic and avoiding bad drivers is a challenge difference from negotiating the often unforgiving windy mountain passes of Alaska and the Yukon, she admitted.

“OK, we’re going downhill but we’re not going any faster,” described Poulin of their battles against the wind. “If you stop pedaling, you will stop.”

Sharing a passion for cycling and adventure, through their circle of cycling friends in Montreal, the pair learned of several groups sending bicycles and parts to Central America and Africa and wanted to get involved.

“In those places, they don’t see cycling so much as recreation but having a bicycle is a way for people to get involved in the local economy,” Poulin explained. “They might use a bicycle to get their fruit or vegetables to market, or to carry water.”

So they decided to cycle through western North and South America in a bid to raise cash and awareness about Cyclo Nord Sud, one such non-profit that ships bicycles and parts to developing countries.

While the efforts of Cyclo Nord Sud and other groups like it are enormous, the goal of Poulin and Pass is quite modest. The couple aims to raise $20,000 – the cost of sending one container load of bicycles. A container typically holds 450 bikes.

Along the way, the couple intends to stop at Cyclo Nord Sud’s operations in El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru and Bolivia and perhaps forge some new bike container destinations.

“There’s a potential partnership in Honduras, so we’ll see,” Pass added.

In addition to the primary goal of sending more bikes around the world, Pass and Poulin also hope to promote cycling as a viable and environmentally friendly means of transportation and will take part in progressive cycling advocacy initiatives.

Last evening in Whitehorse, the couple joined in the monthly Critical Mass ride – one of its aims is to remind motorists that cyclists are part of the traffic – and hooked up with local bike guru Philippe LeBlond, albeit accidentally.

“He sort of crashed into Lucie with his big blue bicycle,” said Pass.

“But we got a nice moose stew out of it, and a new friend,” Poulin added.

To learn more about the couple’s journey and to donate money to assist with their journey or to the nonprofit organization Cyclo Nord Sud, check out Poulin’s and Pass’ website at: pedalingsouth.com.