MONTREAL – On August 14, a team of Ukrainian cyclists completed the Canadian leg of their 10,000-kilometer transcontinental cycling tour to raise awareness about the need for peace in Ukraine.
The team of 10 cycling enthusiasts and war veterans, called “Chumak Way – Cycle U.S. & Canada for Peace,” rides 100 to 200 kilometers per day on its journey from the Pacific to the Atlantic. One of the team’s slogans reads “10,000 km, 400 towns, 100 days.”
“Ukraine needs [the] help of countries like Canada in its efforts to protect peace on its territory. Our team cycled 4,000 kilometers in Canada and met with hundreds of people across the continent. Canadians support our goals, many of them biked with us for peace,” said Chumak Way team leader Kostiantyn Samchuk, a veteran of the war in Ukraine’s eastern region.
The Canadian portion of the Chumak Way cycling tour started in Vancouver, British Columbia, and went though the Rocky Mountains to Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta; Saskatoon and Regina in Saskatchewan; Winnipeg in Manitoba; London, Toronto, Niagara Falls and Ottawa, Ontario; and Montreal in Quebec. The cyclists met with many politicians, community leaders, civil society organizations, activists and other cyclists along the way.
Anna Dombrovska
Chumak Way cyclists during a stop on the Ottawa to Montreal leg of their journey.
The North American tour started in Los Angeles on May 23 and will end on August 29 in Washington. By that time the team of 10 people will have traveled some 10,000 kilometers through more than 435 cities and towns of Canada and the United States.
Still on the itinerary are stops in Horsham, Pa., on August 26 for the Ukrainian Independence Folk Festival at the Ukrainian American Sport Center Tryzub, then on to Newark, Del. (August 27), Baltimore (August 28) and, finally, Washington.
The Chumak Way cycling tour is organized by the non-profit Proidysvit.org led by Mr. Samchuk in cooperation with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, USCAK Canada, Ukrainian National Federation, Maple Leaf Foundation, as well as other organizations, local communities and cycling clubs. Chumak Way accepts donations to help families and orphans affected by Russia’s war in eastern Ukraine. Donations may be made online at https://bit.ly/2KHSwOD.
Source: Chumak Way
Misha Lytvynyuk Photography
Chumak Way cyclists en route in the Ottawa area.