After one week of pedaling through rain, up mountain passes and beside long-weekend traffic, Joan Thompson is not deterred from her goal to cycle across the country this summer.
“I’m loving it,” she told the Gazette during a brief stop in Grand Forks on Monday. “There’s nothing that makes me feel this is too difficult to do.”
The Christina Lake resident is riding to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and in memory of her sister, who died from the disease last November.
Only about 20 per cent of ovarian cancer cases are detected in the first stage, according to the American Cancer Society.
In terms of pedaling, the veteran long-haul cyclist said that the one thing she hopes for is “a little less rain,” adding that she’s excited to get beyond B.C.
Those interested in Thompson’s journey can follow her blog at www.justgojo.com, where she is also fundraising for Ovarian Cancer Canada. Thompson will be rolling out from the Christina Lake Welcome Centre at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning and is slated to give a talk later that day, at the Castlegar library at 4 p.m.