Chilliwack cyclist Greg Luesink bikes over 400 kilometres to combat human trafficking

“Last year (2022), I had a goal to ride 200 miles (320km). I’d done 100 miles (160km) in 2020 and 200 km in 2021, but both were just personal challenges,” said Luesink, who graduated in June from UFV with a degree in kinesiology. “I felt a little selfish trying to achieve a goal like riding 200 miles, so I asked my friend Nate for charity ideas. He pointed me to Ally Global, a Canadian charity that works to prevent human trafficking, as well as help those who have been trafficked through education, aftercare, and safe housing. It was a fun experience, but the traffic and route finding really slowed me down. Immediately after that one, I knew I wanted to physically challenge myself a little more and try to raise even more money!”

Luesink started cycling in June 2020, fueled in part by his education at UFV.

“I just graduated with my Kinesiology degree at UFV this past June. My education there really motivated me to get into endurance sports, including long-distance cycling,” said Luesink. “I currently work at Mt Waddingtons Outdoors, which perfectly suits my outdoor hobbies!”

This year, Luesink looped four times around the perimeter of Sumas Prairie, Chilliwack, and Rosedale, with each loop being 111.1 kilometres, for a total of 444.4km. His goal was to finish in 24 hours.

“The first loop was clockwise and started at 12:04 a.m., and I rode completely solo through until sunrise,” Luesink said. “My friend Kalyn came to cheer me on and lent me more bike lights at 3 a.m.! What a good friend. The dawning sun was indescribably beautiful and meaningful – the start of a new day and a new loop.”

Image: Greg Luesink

Loop 3 was the most difficult stage of the ride, he said, because it involved the hottest part of the day. On top of that, Luesink said he couldn’t get himself to ponder the remaining 222.2 kilometres.

“The realization that I’d already biked 222.2km was great, but I couldn’t let myself think about riding another 222.2km. For the hottest part of the day, my brother Eric joined me. Every opportunity we either got hosed off by friends or by random strangers, or dunked in the Vedder canal. It was really wonderful to have people like Dale and Sharon (my girlfriend’s parents) surprise me,” Luesink said.

For the final leg of his incredible ride, Luesink got a boost from a power nap at No. 3 Road, the presence of supporters that joined him including his girlfriend Jasmine, and consuming his fourth yerba mate, an herbal tea native to South America. Altogether, Luesink recorded 25.5 hours of cycling, including 20 hours of moving time.

“In short, the best part of the day was the immense support I felt throughout the day. So many friends came to ride with me, and cheer me on! What a great community we have in Chilliwack,” Luesink said.

Image: Greg Luesink.

If he reaches his goal of $5,000, he plans to shave his longstanding mustache. Chilliwack residents can support Greg’s work by visiting https://moveforfreedom.ally.org/greg_luesink.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack cyclist Greg Luesink bikes over 400 kilometres to combat human trafficking

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