The Tsilhqot’in Stampede Horse and Bike Ride will be hitting the road.
Longtime rider Cecil Grinder said it was his late cousin Rollin and his friends that started it 21-years ago without any funds and from there the Band picked it up and kept it going.
Grinder said the ride is all about and for the kids because they are the most important thing in their communities lives and they want them strive in good ways and live a better life.
He noted since it started it’s become a huge community event.
“It’s not just only our community. Yunesitin has been joining us the last few years and Tsi Del Del this year so it’s getting bigger. We have six bands together and Toosey and Alexandria to come from the Alexandria side and then Nemiah comes out on the Deep Creek side but we don’t join together.”
Riders will also be taking parts in events along the way from the Chilcotin to Williams Lake.
“On the Monday (June 17) we’re going to have a gymkhana at Jack Palmetier’s in Riske Creek.” Grinder said, “And all the evenings we’ll have activities for all the youth and adults to keep everyone active.”
He noted that he always looks forward to and gets excited when the riders make their approach into the Lake City.
“It’s just like a parade coming down Highway 20 from the Chilcotin Road store. People are on the side of the road watching us and I get pretty amazed seeing that because we’re trying to invite non-Indigenous people to come out with their bikes and horses to be a part of this as well.”
Riders in the 21st Annual Tsilhqot’in Stampede Horse and Bike ride will begin their journey June 18th and are scheduled to arrive in Williams Lake on Thursday June 27th.
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