Queen’s alumni Vanessa Bourne and Andrew DuQuesnay have returned from a 7,340km cross-country cycling expedition, raising over $2,000 for World Bicycle Relief.

This summer, the couple embarked on a cross-country cycling expedition, starting from Victoria, British Columbia and ending in Cape Spear, Newfoundland. 

The journey, which took approximately three months, saw the couple cycle through 10 provinces and manage frequent rough terrain. 

Their main goal was to raise enough money to donate 10 bikes to communities in developing nations—one for every province. The couple exceeded it, raising enough to donate up to 15 bicycles by the end of the trip. 

The reason for their expedition was simple: they wanted a more personal travel experience than a simple road trip. 

“There’s things you just can’t see from a window seat,” DuQuesnay said. 

After the journey, they picked the charity because they had a “strong belief” in the power of bicycles to assist communities. 

Bourne said they’re significant not only as transportation, but as a path to overcoming the distance that prevents some households from attending school and accessing education opportunities. 

“What might be an hour to two hour walk to school can be solved by a something as little as a 30 minute bike ride,” Bourne said.