A long column of motorcycles snaked its way along Territorial Drive the morning of July 10, heading towards the Territorial Drive Alliance Church and, eventually, Vancouver.
They had come, with some substitutions along the way, from Winnipeg, and were raising money for three inner-city churches in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto.
The ride, which began July 9, was conceived at the annual assembly of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. The trek started in Winnipeg, with participants riding bikes or motorcycles east and west, ending in Halifax and Vancouver. Riders can go for a few hours or as far as the entire distance, with churches along the way putting them up and feeding them.
Each rider was expected to raise money for their ride and churches also pitched in. Even though the ride had only recently started, North Battleford's Territorial Drive Alliance Church had already surpassed its fundraising goal of $1,000.
When the column arrived in North Battleford, it was made up of 17 motorcycles - six from Saskatchewan, seven from British Columbia, three from Manitoba and one from Alberta. The website for the ride lists hundreds of riders, though, so their numbers are likely to swell as it continues.
For more information on the ride, visit www.ride2012.ca
