The 16 Participants

The 2013 Bike2Work Challenge will feature 16 participants of varying ages, genders, and occupations. Learn more about their story and why they are interested in biking to work below. We hope you can relate to their story and share in their experiences of biking to work!

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Melani K.: When I initially found out I was chosen as a participant for the 2013 Bike2Work Challenge, I was very excited, but also a little nervous. I am very active but I do not currently ride my bike to work. I look forward to enjoying the fresh air, while reducing my carbon footprint and being active with the healthier commuting choice. I have always wanted to explore the trails around KW, this Challenge will motivate me to do so this summer. I can’t wait to start blogging about this experience to encourage others to bike to work instead of hopping in the car!

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Chris G.: I grew up in a small town in Bavaria, known for being one of Germany’s most bike-friendly cities for over 30 years. And indeed, thinking back, it seems like I biked just about everywhere. I first came to Waterloo as an exchange student in summer 1999. Living on a budget, biking seemed like the best option, even with the harsh weather we sometimes got throughout the winter. When I returned to Waterloo for a job as an environmental consultant in 2005, I started off getting around town by bike once again. I commuted 15km from uptown Waterloo to Heidelberg every day, rain or shine, all through June into September. Then of course came the winter, and sooner or later my own car. Even though I’ve often had the best intentions to get back to commuting by bike, I’ve only actually done it a couple of times since. When I read about the Bike2Work Challenge, I sensed a great opportunity to finally get back to it. Having such a long connection to biking I’m looking forward to this challenge and a chance to promote commuting by other means than motorized vehicle in a region that was clearly built for living with cars.

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Rachelle M: I am so excited to be a part of this years Bike2Work Challenge! I applied for two main reasons, to reduce the financial burden of driving and force myself to make a healthy change. Being a graduate student the cost of driving eats up a lot of my budget, so I began investigating the option of taking on the 8km ride to UWaterloo. I decided that it could be great, get an awesome workout and help my wallet one less gas tank at a time. In the past, I have always found cycling to be more enjoyable when used as a mode of transportation. Who knows, maybe this will help to bring out some new hobby or at least let me explore some of the great trails throughout the KW area. I think the nature of a challenge is to push you, and this will definitely do just that.

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Nikola M: Having just made a decision to move closer to my work so that I could possibly reduce my car ownership by 1 vehicle this challenge seemed like a perfect fit.  If I could make it from my current home to work…..I could certainly hack it from my new house once I move in July.  It seems  a little counter intuitive…a car salesman looking to reduce care use.   Share the road I say….we need cars and bikes and buses (and trains!) to get everyone around.   I’m looking forward to spending some time in my head as I bike to work.  I’m also looking forward to the excuse to frequent Ziggy’s more often to drool at my future purchases! (my wife’s eye’s are rolling as I type) Hopefully I can get back into something I used  to enjoy.  If I lose the amount of weight I’ve put on since the birth of my son all the better!

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Kourtney B.: I want to bike to work for many reasons, but mostly because I can. My new year's resolution was to do more things that challenge or scare me. This will be a challenge that will be scary at times (traffic!), but the rewards are far greater. Seeing many people I love become ill and have physical challenges that stop them from enjoying a good bike ride, I want to make sure I take advantage of good health and circumstance. My commute will be 6km and I work in a professional office environment; their support by means of shower facilities and secure bike storage will help me succeed. I look forward to the "good pain" after the first few rides and searching out new routes and parts of the city that I haven't discovered. I also hope that more of my coworkers will think about cycling to work....after all, its the cool thing to do! Wish me luck as I navigate the city, and wardrobe, on a bike!

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Levi H: My name is Levi Hesch, I work in the Sewers department at the Kitchener Operations Facility. I am new and very proud daddy of a beautiful 8 month old little girl. I applied for this challenge because I would love to get into better shape and what would be a better excuse to do it! I live on the other side of the city as my workplace; so I thought that this challenge would be difficult to do; therefore requiring some serious dedication on my behalf, but also motivate me at the same time! To me, cycling means getting out and exploring your community! It gives you a chance to interact with your environment while also getting exercise. It provides you with a perspective of your community that you wouldn’t necessarily get to enjoy if only travelling by car. Cycling is a great sport because it can be enjoyed by all demographics; also, our community provides a myriad of trail systems from very advanced to smoothly paved. I am looking forward to completing this challenge and appreciate the support!


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Steph M: I am very excited that I was selected as a participant for the Bike2Work Challenge 2013! Reducing my carbon footprint is something that means a lot to me! It is important for me to save money where I can too, and get exercise! This challenge will allow me to take an two hours out of my day to challenge myself in the longest biking distance that I have completed to date, think and be active! I am very excited and up to the challenge!! I hope that you will follow my blog and follow me through the next stepping stone in my life!

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Rob H: Back in my university days, I didn't have a car.  I got around by walking, biking, and taking the bus.  Since then, I have tried to keep up with commuting without a car so that we can remain a single car family.  When my office moved to downtown Kitchener, my 5 km commute which I regularly biked turned into an 18 km commute round-trip and I started taking the bus.  Over two years later, I hadn't made the bike trip once. Since signing up for the Bike2Work challenge, I have pulled out my old, rusty, mountain bike again to see if I could handle the ride and have ended up commuting by bike most days already!  I was surprised to find that it takes about the same amount of time to take the bus as to bike.  I am thrilled to get an upgrade to a new bike thanks to being accepted into the Challenge, and am hoping to can get my commute to under an hour a day! My wife and I are trying to set an example of an healthy and active lifestyle for our young son and daughter, and I am looking forward to them growing up with the idea that biking to work is normal.

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Kristen J: After what felt like an endless winter, I found myself daydreaming about how to get the most out of the upcoming summer days.  Biking to work instantly came to mind since I have commuted this way in the past and always enjoyed it.  However, my bicycle commuting track record is less than stellar since I always found it too easy to hop in the car on the days I was running behind or feeling a little tired.  This summer though, I want to put those excuses behind me and make cycling my main mode of transportation.  When I read about the Challenge, I thought participating in it would be fantastic way to establish a routine that I hope will become a lasting one. I’m attracted to biking because of the big benefits like a reduced carbon footprint and improved fitness, but I also love the “small” benefits like fun and discovery!   To me, cruising down the street on a bike is just good fun.  In addition, a bike ride takes me away from my usual routes and gives me a chance to explore a street, neighbourhood, or trail I wouldn’t otherwise. I am so grateful and excited to be a part of this year’s Bike2Work Challenge and can’t wait to get started! 

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Andrew F: Last year was when I first heard about the Bike2Work challenge through a few colleagues of mine at Desire2Learn. Hoping to improve my health and increase my time spent outdoors – I quickly signed up, and was unfortunately not chosen to participate. Thinking that I lost my chance, I was ecstatic when I found out that there would be another challenge in 2013. I wasn’t expecting much, but celebrated when I found out I was chosen. Since then, I have been constantly researching new things to do, and places to explore. Originally from out of town, I moved to Kitchener for school and now work. Each day I spend in the city, I am surprised to find new and interesting places I’ve never been before. I definitely look forward to exploring more in the city I now call home. This is a great opportunity to spend more time outdoors, reduce my carbon footprint, and improve my health and well-being at the same time. Looking forward to this challenge and possibly meeting a few new faces!

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Cheryl W: I have been committed to regular exercise all my life and enjoy being active and out of doors.  I relish the physical challenge of my commute from our home in North Waterloo to my workplace.  I bike to work, rain or shine, from spring thaw to whenever ice starts forming on the roads in the fall. I find cycling is mentally invigorating and supports my commitment to being a good steward of the environment.  I get to enjoy the scenery through Waterloo Park and along the Iron Horse Trail, as well as the social connection with other cyclists and walkers. In my work with seniors I am passionate about promoting healthy aging practices, and as a “young senior” myself, cycling is a great way to practice what I preach!  The excitement of possibly winning a new bike was certainly an incentive in applying for the Challenge; but, beyond that I was motivated by a spirit of fun and community building, and thrilled to support this initiative to promote cycling!

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Warren G: I’m a pretty avid cyclist. My wife and I have been on cycling trips in different places and I’m planning a cycling trip from Vancouver to Kitchener next year (a bucket list thing). I enjoy getting out onto the cycling paths or into the countryside to explore. For me, cycling helps keep me in shape (or get me in shape for other things I’m doing) and gives me the chance to wind down after a busy day. But, for the most part, the benefit is all mine. I’ve seen people who are obviously biking to or from work and always thought that they’re doing something far nobler than I. They’re taking something that they have to do and turning it into something that benefits them and is good for the environment, is good for the community and sets an example for others. I have occasionally cycled to work in the past but it’s easy to make an excuse for not doing it. Well, this is my excuse and motivation to do what I’ve been meaning to do. So I’m looking forward to being a part of the Bike2Work Challenge! And luckily, the ride isn’t that long so those I work with won’t have to suffer through me being all sweaty at work!

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Kathryn W: I am absolutely so excited to be a part of the 2013 Bike2work challenge!  I live in Kitchener with my two beautiful teenage daughters and I work in Cambridge at Grandview Medical Centre as the Health Promoter Nurse. Up until 2011, cycling was part of my daily routine either as a 7 km exercise or 20 km commute to work in Cambridge.  Unfortunately this ended when my bike broke.  I really miss the enjoyment, relaxation and energy I felt from cycling. I know this challenge will get me back into the sport I enjoy the most, giving me the exercise I need and enjoy so much, save me money on gas, and help me continue to be the role model that I want to be for my girls.  I hope that this challenge will inspire others to also bike to work!

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Tyler P: I’m mostly excited for the Bike2Work Challenge because ‘the more spandex the better’…right? Although I’m only half kidding, there are so many great reasons for this challenge that it’s hard to mention them all here…but I’ll try: First, I work for an environmental consulting firm and I want to walk (ride) the talk. As facilitator of our Sustainability Team I want this Challenge to rub off on my co-workers and encourage them to get on their bikes and ride too. Second, it’s probably the easiest and most impactful way to live a sustainable lifestyle. I get my exercise, reduce my personal vehicle emissions, help reduce traffic congestion and smog, get to know my community and local businesses, and fully embrace my right to wear spandex in public. That equals win-win-win-win-win. Follow me on Twitter for daily ride updates: @trplanet
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Judy C: My name is Judy C. and I work for the WCDSB (Waterloo Catholic District School Board) at the Education Centre. One of my co-workers Rob H told me about the Bike2work challenge and then proceeded to tell me that because of my "age" I would probably have a good chance of being selected!  Smooth!! I am still unsure if he was providing encouragement or daring me in his own special way!  All the same, I am thrilled that I was selected! Rob rides his bike to work every day all year regardless of the weather (did I mention he is older than me?!). This really is impressive, so the least I can do is try, what do I have to lose other than a sore bottom and helmet head?  I see lots of benefits beyond the obvious of saving the environment: 1) exercise....it's been a long time since I have been on a bike  2) if I peddle fast enough the lure of Cold Stone Creamery at Tim's won't detour me on my way home  3) for bikes the "parking spots" at work are in a premium location 4) our household has 5 drivers with very busy schedules and currently one car ...can you say stress! On a final note I am married to a dutchman, if you have ever been to a train station in Holland it is the most incredible sight, literally hundreds, perhaps thousands of bikes parked at the station as people of all ages go off to work, shop or socialize! The Dutch have obviously figured out that riding their bikes has many benefits, I am thinking cost savings is a big motivator for them. Seriously, I am really looking forward to taking my bike to work and leading by example to show my family and friends it can be done!

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Brian W.: I was very excited when I found out that I had been chosen one of the winner's for this years Bike2Work Challenge. I submitted an application because I really want to get healthy. I am a smoker, but with the help of exercise by riding this bike, I certainly will be working on quitting. I have been thinking of getting a bike recently, but with 4 kids at home (all girls), I would never be able to afford to get a bike as good as one of these. Things are also tough right now a little financially, so with the help of a good quality bike, I can start saving on gas and wear and tear on my van. I could also start leaving the van at home in the future and let my wife use it for errands and appointments. I plan on biking a lot more than just to work also. Like I said, I need to get in shape so I think I will start biking on some of these trails that we have spread out over the City of Kitchener with the whole family.

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