WATCH: Kelowna cyclist digs deep for mental health

• Local man endures long trek for mental health
• Tens of thousands of dollars raised for local organization

Kelowna’s Sam Biffart loves biking; so much so that he decided to pedal across the entire province for a cause that speaks to him and so many others.

Biffart undertook BC Trek, a 1,500-kilometer journey on his gravel bike from Vancouver Island to the Alberta border. The journey also involved 15,500 meters of climbing through the mountains.

Day one of his 16-day trek started in Victoria June 5, biking 115 kilometers to Aldergrove in five hours.

His final day on June 21, was a trip from Fernie to the Alberta border biking 161 kilometers in under eight hours.

All the funds raised went to Third Space Charity, which provides accessible mental health services and supports in Kelowna to young adults aged 18 to 29.

“It was instantly mental health or nothing,” Biffart, 23 said, when asked why he chose the charity. “Their entire mission was exactly what I wanted. Providing counselling to people my age and social programs that are directed at young people. It felt very personal.”

He told Kelowna10 about his own mental health struggles of social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

His long journey started being planned in June 2021 where he slowly pieced together his journey and mapped out his stops and starts.

His preparation involved 10 to 15 hours a week of training reaching upwards of 200 kilometers. He emphasized higher elevation as he would be travelling through the mountains.

“I’ve always used exercise to cope with my own struggles with mental health and that’s something I’d want to push,” Biffart said. “For me hopping on the bike and going out just getting lost in the trails for three to four has always been medicine for me. I love that”

BC Trek raised over $15,000 dollar, and with matching donations and other contributions he was able to hand a cheque for $40,000 to Third Space Charity.

“We raised way more than what we expected; it still blows me away. The many kind messages I’ve been receiving through BC Trek was a huge boost,” he said.

Although Biffart believes everyone deals with their struggles in their own way, he had one piece of advice.

“The important thing is trying to do something small everyday that’s going to help improve your own mental health.”

Donations are still being taken online for BC Trek.