Clara's Big Ride

CTV Northern Ontario Published Thursday, March 13, 2014 6:45PM EDT Last Updated Friday, March 14, 2014 9:12AM EDT

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After months of training, another big day for Olympian Clara Hughes has arrived.

This time, she’s not going after an Olympic medal. She’s embarking on a 110-day journey across Canada on her bike, in an effort to raise awareness about mental health.

Clara’s Big Ride, a part of the Bell Let’s Talk campaign to end the stigma surrounding mental illness, gets rolling in Toronto at noon Friday. Over the next 110 days, Hughes plans to visit 95 communities, cycling about 12,000 kilometres. She will make stops to discuss mental health issues at different community events and visit more than 80 schools in every province and territory.

“This is like a 110-day big moment of my life and I hope Canada’s life and I’m excited that the big ride is finally rolling today,” Hughes told CTV’s Canada AM on launch day.

Hughes is a six-time Canadian Olympic speed-skating and cycling medalist and the national spokesperson for Bell Let's Talk. Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk starts in Toronto on March 14, 2014 and concludes in Ottawa on July 1, 2014. Clara’s Big Ride will help grow awareness, acceptance, and action to create a stigma-free Canada.

She said she wants others to realize they don’t have to hide their struggles. There has been a big shift in acceptance and understanding of mental health issues in Canada, she said.

“I cannot be the only one and I’m not the only one trying to make a difference,” Hughes said.

“We have a long way to go but the shift is starting to happen."

“I hope we leave a legacy when we’re not there…that people realize they don’t need a Big Ride to come to town to have an event that focuses on mental health.”

Hughes said she’s prepared to handle any wintry weather she may encounter on her journey. She joked that, if necessary, she’ll cycle in her hotel room to make up for lost kilometres.

“We’ll just make it work, no matter what,” she said. “I’m from Winnipeg. What’s a little winter storm?”

You can follow Hughes’ journey here, and make a donation to a mental health organization in your community.

CTV NEWS NORTHERN ONTARIO is owned by Bell Media. We will be covering her ride while she is here in our region. Below you will find a list of dates and communities she will be visiting in our region.

Check the website for more information: http://clarasbigride.bell.ca

Day	Week Day	Date	From	To
103	Tuesday	June 24	Wawa	Sault Ste. Marie
104	Wednesday	June 25	REST DAY	Sault Ste. Marie
105	Thursday	June 26	Sault Ste. Marie	Blind River
106	Friday	June 27	Blind River	Sudbury
107	Saturday	June 28	Sudbury	North Bay
108	Sunday	June 29	North Bay	Deep River