For almost two weeks straight, Bianca Hayes has been cycling 20 hours a day east across the country, hoping to beat a world record and raise money for ovarian cancer charities.
But two days before she broke the Guinness World Record for women for the fastest ride across mainland Canada, she said her trip was cut short Sunday by a motorcycle collision in southern Quebec.
Hayes, who is from North Vancouver, said the motorcycle knocked her bike out from under her, leaving her with a concussion and a sprained ankle.
“It’s not common for cyclists to walk away fairly unscathed from things like this, so I just feel very lucky,” she said in an interview.
The trip was to be Hayes’ second to Canada to raise funds for ovarian cancer research in honor of her late sister. Her first cross-country attempt of 2020 took her 19 days to complete – four days short of the 15 days needed to set a Guinness World Record. (The fastest ever cross-continental loop was Chris Bruckner, who completed the coast-to-coast trip in just over 13 days, according to the record company).
This year she decided to try again.
Bianca stands with her bike in front of her team’s trailer on the first day of their trip. (The Coconut Creative)
On June 13, Hayes launched his second cross-country ride, starting at Vancouver City Hall. She rode north through Kamloops, British Columbia to take the Trans-Canada Highway across the country.
With a team of four friends following in a trailer to support her, Hayes said she took a 15-minute break every four hours and slept just two to three hours a night. She says she used to walk hundreds of kilometers every day.
Hayes with her team of assistants before she left on her trip. (The Coconut Creative)
The conditions were not ideal.
On the fourth day of her voyage, as she entered Saskatchewan, she encountered a 60 km/h headwind combined with a 40 km/h crosswind.
The next day she encountered a dust storm in Manitoba that brought more headwinds and left her covered in dirt.
A day later, there was a heat wave severe enough for Winnipeg officials to cancel a city marathon. Hayes coped with the extreme heat by tying nylon stockings filled with ice around his neck.
“My legs swelled up to three times their size. It was incredibly painful,” Hayes recalled.
Hayes rode through Alberta on the third day of his trip. (The Coconut Creative)
“It felt like we had gone through all the trials and all these different trials and it was going to be an epic story to set that record and do it in the face of all these challenges.”
5-year survival
Hayes lost her sister Katrina to ovarian cancer in 2018.
After her sister’s death, Hayes learned that the five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer had not improved in the past 50 years. The lack of progress prompted her to raise funds for more research.
Katrina leaves behind a son, Calvin, now seven years old.
Left to right: Bianca and Katrina’s mother Sabin, Katrina Hayes, Bianca Hayes and Katrina’s son Calvin. (Bianca Hayes)
“It just triggered something in me,” she said. “If not me, then who? And if not now, then when?”
“Knowing that he’s growing up without his mom is extra motivation for me to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Funds collected
Although canceled, Hayes’ ride had raised more than $145,000 as of July 1. Her donation will be split between Ovarian Ovarian Cancer Canada and the British Columbia Cancer Foundation. Cancer Canada said the funding will go towards research, advocacy and support for people affected by the disease across the country.
Hayes, who uses a wheelchair, was left with a sprained ankle and concussion after the accident in Quebec. (The Coconut Creative)
Their organization had planned an official reception for Hayes’ arrival in Halifax, which was to be on June 28.
“The team in Halifax were ready to welcome her with open arms,” said Marketing and Communications Manager Megan Gough. “We are honored that she continues to advocate for us.”
As he recovers from his injuries, Hayes said he may attempt to set the record a third time in the future.
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