Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden encourages you to take your bike for a ride around Henderson Lake for the fourth Winter Bike Ride Feb. 23. The free event is in honor of the hardships many of those of Japanese ancestry in southern Alberta faced in the 1940s.
Many people of Japanese ancestry were displaced from their homes, lost their cars and moved to Southern Alberta. Unable to live in Lethbridge, many would ride bicycles from surrounding towns to make the trip into town to work or buy groceries.
One man, in particular, commuted to Lethbridge every day through sun, rain and freezing snow. It was a tough, rugged 38 mile hike anyway.
“We wanted to try to raise awareness, especially with the amount of Japanese Canadians who weren’t allowed to own any property or any vehicles or anything like that in the 1940s,” says Eric Granson, marketing and events manager.
“It’s our way of showing sensitivity to it, showing respect and honoring those who have all the struggles they had during that period,” adds Granson.
Another incentive to get people out on their bikes to brave the cold is the addition of a nice hot bowl of miso soup and a complimentary ride to the Winter Light Festival.
Granson recommends participants pre-register for the event online, but registrations will be accepted on-site. “We recommend in advance to have an idea of an expected number of people coming,” notes Granson.
The day will also see members of the Lethbridge Police Service taking part and a tent will be set up to help riders with any last minute bike repairs.
“The amazing thing about this event is that nobody does this,” Granson says. “We hope to make this really big because this is unique in this area and unique in our history.”
Once the Link Pathway connects Coaldale to Lethbridge, the bike ride will be extended, as the route leads to Nikka Yuko, according to Granson. “For now, this is definitely a good start and we hope to get as many people as possible.”
The race starts at 2pm at the Bunka Center and ends at the center at 4pm
