Red Deerian taking part in Battlefield Bike Ride for Wounded Warriors

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“I got involved in the bike ride as a way of dealing with my own stress, and it makes me feel good to help others. The bike ride gave me the opportunity to show respect to those who have sacrificed their lives,” said Bath.

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Bath has been involved with Wounded Warriors since 2014 when she signed up to challenge herself to do a 750kms ride in France. A huge part of Bath’s motivation, she said, was visiting the memorial sites and cemeteries along the way.

“Vimy Ridge’s 100th anniversary and the channel crossing from Dover to Calais where our troops landed for WWI is very exciting and I am looking forward to it, but it will be very emotional,” said Bath.

The trek this year will require cyclists to travel approximately 100km a day while visiting memorials and significant markers along the way. Some of the stops along the way include the battlefields of Flanders, The Passchendaele Canadian Memorial, and the Tyne Cot Cemetery.

Bath is the only participant from Red Deer but says there are 14 riders from Alberta between Torrington and Calgary.

“The one thing I really like about this ride is that it brings people together. We have a retired military Wounded Warrior from Australia who has been riding with us since the first event in 2014. The friendships you develop on these rides and the bonds are everlasting and life long.”

Bath didn’t decide to take part in this year’s ride until January of this year when she attended a birthday party for another rider.

“Her speech about how I saved her during that ride (2015) by just supporting her and being there for her made me want to come back and do this again,” said Bath.

As a part of her job as a parole officer, Bath said she knows people who have suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and feels it’s an important cause to support. She also served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1990-1994 and her father served in the Indian Army.

Bath’s journey starts June 10th and culminates on the 17th when all riders gather at Vimy Ridge for a closing ceremony and laying of a wreath.

“This year is special for me as I am riding in memory of WWII veteran Robert Leslie McKee who was like my grandfather. I am riding with his picture in my bike.”

After this ride Bath said her next adventure may just be the Highway of Heroes ride in August from Trenton to Toronto. That ride is also put together by Wounded Warriors.

For more information on the Battlefield Bike Ride visit www.bbr17.ca