Kylie Hicklenton is from the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia but attends Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. Everyone always asks her why she decided to go to a school so far away from home and it’s mostly because she just doesn’t like to pass up a challenge. (Can you tell?) She has one more year of her Anthropology and Global Studies undergraduate degree and will be graduating in May 2007.

Her other major “outdoor” experiences besides biking across Canada include: Backpacking and working in Ireland for 3 months; a 10 week project in Guyana, South America developing eco-tourism in a small community and working with youth; and working as a camp counsellor at a summer camp in Harrison, Maine, USA.  There should be no problems with homesickness on this trip!

Kylie has volunteered for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a student refugee sponsorship program, since her first year at Laurier and feels very strongly about all their initiatives. Strongly enough, in fact, to bike across Canada for their “Bike for AIDS” campaign!  The only thing she is really worried about on this trip is getting attacked by a bear, and that’s only because of recent stories about it in the news. Other than that, it should be smoooooooth sailing!

Jason Shim is from Markham, Ontario, and is currently studying Religion and Culture at Wilfrid Laurier University. After an expedition to Antarctica in late 2005, Jason found himself thirsty for more adventure. While chatting with a friend about lifelong dreams over cookies and peppermint tea one evening, Jason learned about the Bike for AIDS campaign and by the time his mug was empty, he decided he would bike across Canada to raise money and awareness for this initiative.

After graduation in December 2006, Jason plans to start his own business, write a book about this trip, teach young children, and go on more adventures—but not necessarily in that order!  Jason enjoys working with young people and, for the last few summers, he has worked for several organizations in Canada and the US teaching theatre and leadership.

In his spare time, Jason spends a lot of time cooking, volunteering, photographing random things, and hanging out with his girlfriend Jenny. He looks forward to sharing wonderful stories from the cross-Canada trek on the Bike Across Canada website.

More to come!