News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Michael Schratter, the Vancouver school teacher who is riding around the world to raise awareness about mental illness, would like his bike back.

He’s appealing to the person who has taken his $4,000 Focus carbon fibre bike with a white frame, black decals and a white seat. It is the bike he has used to pedal across Canada – and it’s not even his bike. It belongs to a cousin in Toronto who kindly donated it to his Ride Don’t Hide journey to fight the stigma that comes with mental illness.

“Maybe the person who took it doesn’t realize it wasn’t just abandoned, and I suspect that person also doesn’t know it’s a key piece of this journey to help people with mental illness”, Michael says. “So I hope this plea gets heard: This bike is special. And my job’s not done yet. Please, return the bike, no questions asked.”

Michael still has another bike – the one he’s used to travel most of the 40,000 kilometre circumference of the earth, but as he still has 3400 kilometres yet to ride and the cold weather is closing in, the challenges are mounting.

Road fatigue is becoming a factor. In Savano, a small town just outside Kamloops, Michael and his driving companion were halfway through the day’s 150 k. ride, when they decided to drive ahead for a much-needed coffee break. They somehow forgot that the bike was still at the side of the road and once they travelled a few kilometres, they realized their mistake and doubled back. But once they arrived, the bike was gone.  Michael has contacted the RCMP, but so far, no word. 

The Ride Don’t Hide tour will continue, thanks to Willie Cromack of John Henry Bikes of North Vancouver, a big supporter through Michael’s 469-day journey, will provide him with his own personal bike. But Michael hopes to return the Focus bike to its rightful owner and focus on making it to Vancouver by his November 12 target date.

Michael is encountering a groundswell of support as he makes his way across Vancouver, as communities, bike shops and branches of the sponsoring organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association, schedule events and celebrations wherever he goes. Michael, who has bipolar disorder, welcomes the attention. 

“It’s such a great opportunity to meet people and get the message out that people with mental illness can still achieve their dreams and that the stigmas surrounding mental illness must be vanquished, so the barriers to getting help are completely swept aside,” Michael says. “But it’s making it difficult to stick to the schedule. I’m determined to finish the full 40,000 kilometres, even I have to ride around the parking lot in the dark!”

With 3400 kilometres to go, Michael’s next destination is Prince George, then he turns south again toward the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, culminating in the last ride, Tsawwassen to downtown Vancouver, on November 12.

Michael is trying to raise $100,000 for mental health programs for young people, and he’s just over halfway. To support his epic ride and learn more, please go to www.ridedonthide.com.

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