THE CAST

BERND BECKER

When asked why he is cycling across Canada, Bernd replies: "To test the fabric of one's being." Hailing from the woodlands of Alberta, he is a former owner of Robcal - a successful logging enterprise.  His first love is Jesus, second is Tami and his kids, and third is gardening. He is very grateful to his kids, Caleb and Robin, for looking after things at home. Skilled at getting people to talk, he enjoys helping people understand why they make the choices they do. A firm belief he has clung to on this journey is that the purpose of water is to make juice - and that avocados are a necessary staple food.

SAISON DEMITOR

A natural instinct for adventure has taken Saison on many trips, but none that have earned her numb hands and unusual tan lines. The group is in love with her iPod - and saintly good natured cheerfulness.  Her greatest cheerleader, Dean, has fully supported his wife's dream, but has no interest in ever doing this himself. Co-workers in the operating room have hailed encouragement and warning, but one plastic surgeon has even offered to surgically fix her anticipated bum sores.  Fortunately, they have healed in time.  Saison expected that this trip would help her see Canada in slow motion.

LANDON MUTCH

Landon is not the same as the rest of the team. Easygoing as he is, he can become a bit ornery if he cycles more than he has to. The season did not permit Landon to snowboard across Canada, so at the last minute (5 days prior to leaving), he joined the group, bought a bike, abandoned his girlfriend, quit his job, and questioned his decision for then next 3 weeks. Landon would rather tolerate a consistent drip from the tent ceiling, than get himself up. Now he reflects and has found that: the body is weak and the mind is incredibly strong, imagination is a great pass time, and discipline is learned.

WILL PRESLEY

WIllis the Thrillis! Can words describe him? Having never left Alberta, save a two-week trip to Guatemala, William E. Presley was eager to join Zaak on a trans-Canadian bike trip - signing up 3 years before the journey. A distinguished mountain bike / free-ride cyclist in his own right, road biking is a new venture and he has caught on quickly, allowing a kinship with transport trucks to blossom. The group celebrated his 17th birthday in Saskatchewan with barbecued salmon - he is the only vegetarian on the trip. Having mastered the downhill tuck, Tuckin’ Weavin’ Willie’s top speed is 74.3 km/hr.

AMBER ROBICHAUD

Amber is a BC mountain girl. She likes the fact that she  will spend the entire summer with her husband Zaak and this crowd.  She also likes the fact that she will be getting tons of cardiovascular exercise on this trip and traveling at super high speeds down hills.  THe Marshall Islands were lucky enough to be served by Amber for a year. She likes to read, play soccer, the outdoors, watching foreign films and kissing Zaak's head. If she could have a garden, she would and she feels guilty for not being able to smell all the flowers along the way this summer.

JESSICA ROBICHAUD

Jessica has recently achieved dual citizenship with both Australia and Canada. Though she has visited Canada several times - once for an entire school year - the possibility of cycling across was immediately appealing to her.  She is a wilderness guide in Australia and has spent much time in the beautiful Blue Mountains. To share the experience with her is Eric, a fellow guide and partner.  Jess's endurance and stamina for pain has been tested on this journey: having fallen the hardest and ridden with an injured knee. With cousins Zaak and Saison, the destination to Robichaud, NB will be somewhat of a homecoming.

ZAAK ROBICHAUD

Zaak is an Acadian, staunch socialist, and Christian. He has never cycled across Canada, so that is why he is doing it - and so he can cross it off of his list of 121 life goals. Teaching is his profession and movie making a current passion. Past journeys have shown him the MacKenzie River, Western Europe, Ukraine, Guatemala, Micronesia, and points throughout North America. His wife, Amber, teaches him that he does not know everything and she loves him a lot. He uses Macintosh computers and plays Yamaha and Takamine guitars.

KURT STRACHAN

After months of saying “you’re crazy” to group members, Kurt finally joined the crew when the trip coincided with one of his goals. Now, donning cycling shorts and sitting on a hard saddle for hours with the rest of us, he is praying across the nation. A wanderer and natural romantic, this artist has recently entered the world of re-forestry... pine-cone picking. Journal entry: There is an unstoppable strength in focusing forward and using your body to ride hard in the pursuit of your desire. No steep mountain, strong headwind, or frequent hill can deny the passage of such a rider.

with

ERIC WOLVEN

Traveling through Africa, throughout Australia and to the Yukon, Eric is not stranger to expeditions. After journeying for fun, he has decided to make it a working lifestyle and has taken time off to cycle with Jess for the summer. Eric has been able to use some learned French words in Québec and that has put a smile on his face. His increased appetite has not gone without Vegemite and his culinary skills have been enjoyed by the whole group - yeah Chicken Schnitzel! Multiple applications of sunscreen each day keep him the least touched by the sun, but perhaps the most touched by the moon, as he daily rises before the sun.

JUDY BENNETT

Judy excitedly left her quite home in northern British Columbia to travel across her country for the first time and to help one of her five daughters, Amber, cross the nation on a bike. Having Emily, another daughter, to keep her company during the day, Judy supplies the valuable meals for the cyclists and drives the 29 foot motor-home towing a 15 foot trailer to destinations. Though she was sure she would not be able to accomplish such a task, she did a fine job with minimal damage to the motor-home. Judy continuously compared the dozens of grocery stores she visited to the Safeway in Smithers, BC - none quite meeting the standard.

EMILY RUTHERFORD

Emily begins kindergarten this fall and she can sing all the verses to Grandma’s Feather Bed. Given the task of cheerleader, she accomplished her job extraordinarily well. As each rider pulls in for lunch, they are greeted with the tiny blond’s shrieks of excitement. Despite the fact that she could not communicate with some people along the way, Emily was never too shy to pet stranger’s dogs, play with their toys, eat their food, or whatever activity she desired to share with them. She also gives terrific hugs to each member of the troupe before bedtime.