Summary

• Four cycling fundraisers across Western Canada have raised more than $1.4 million for Habitat for Humanity.
• The ride that started the tradition, Ride Around the Lake, celebrated its 20^th anniversary this year.
• Two new rides, Ride for 75 and Ride the River Valley, build on the success of longstanding Ride Around the Lake and Ride Through the Rockies cycling fundraisers.

Four cycling fundraisers brought together more than 100 Qualico employees and industry partners this year, raising more than $1.4 million for Habitat for Humanity partners across Western Canada.

Participants in Ride Around the Lake, Ride Through the Rockies, Ride for 75, and the inaugural Ride the River Valley cycled a combined 2,000 kilometres. Although each route offered a different challenge, the riders shared one goal: to change lives through affordable homeownership. 

20 years of Ride Around the Lake

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Ride Around the Lake brought together 60 riders for a three-day journey through the Canadian Shield landscape surrounding Lake of the Woods in northwestern Ontario. Participants cycled more than 300 kilometres and raised more than $500,000 for Habitat for Humanity Manitoba.

This year’s milestone is the latest chapter in a story that began with a bold idea. Ride Around the Lake was created by reimagining the challenge, camaraderie, and fundraising momentum of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba’s Cycle of Hope.

The idea took shape after former Qualico Regional Vice-President John Daniels and business associate David Loewen participated in the two-week ride. The experience showed them what a cycling fundraiser could accomplish, but they also recognized that the time commitment was out of reach for many people balancing work and family responsibilities.

They envisioned a shorter event that would preserve the purpose of Cycle of Hope while making participation more practical. A four-day route around Lake of the Woods offered the right setting. The area was familiar to many members of Winnipeg’s business community and could attract avid cyclists with strong fundraising networks.

The concept quickly grew beyond its founders’ expectations. Organizers initially believed raising $100,000 would mark a successful event. By its seventh year, the ride had raised a cumulative $1 million. It’s now become Habitat for Humanity Manitoba’s largest single fundraiser, raising more than $5 million over the past 20 years.

The impact of that idea went beyond the Manitoba border. After participating in Ride Around the Lake several times, Ken Crockett, Vice-President of Star Building Materials Alberta, returned to Calgary convinced the model could rally a new community around the same cause.

Inspired by what began at Lake of the Woods, he set out to build a new ride: Ride Through the Rockies.

Taking the ride west

With its 13th year complete, Ride Through the Rockies has grown beyond what Ken first imagined. The event has become as much about the community surrounding it as the distance covered or dollars raised.

“When I started Ride Through the Rockies, I did not anticipate how much it would grow,” said Ken. “The scale is impressive, but what continues to surprise me most is the personal connections people develop with the event and with one another.”

“Today, success means creating an experience that people want to return to, raising meaningful support for the cause and building relationships that last well beyond the event. If participants leave feeling challenged, connected, and proud of what they’ve helped accomplish, then I consider the ride a success.”

This year, participants cycled 334 kilometres and raised just shy of $450,000 for Habitat for Humanity. Cold temperatures, rain, and difficult riding conditions tested the group on opening day, but riders and volunteers worked together to keep moving.

“The families who we are helping face significant challenges every day. While our difficult day was temporary, it gave us a small sense of what it means to persevere through hardship. Seeing everyone support one another was a real reminder of why Ride Through the Rockies continues to matter.”

That spirit of collaboration soon extended beyond the event. As Qualico marked its 75th anniversary in 2026, riders from Ride Through the Rockies and Ride Around the Lake saw an opportunity to connect the two traditions through a special challenge.

Connecting communities through Ride for 75

For years, a group of Qualico leaders participated in both established rides. As they prepared for this year’s events, they asked a simple question: if they were already travelling between Alberta and Manitoba, why not cycle the entire distance?

The answer became Ride for 75, a 1,500-kilometre cycling relay celebrating Qualico’s 75th anniversary and its history of giving back. Backed by teams in three provinces, the ride raised more than $390,000 for Habitat for Humanity partners in Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Beyond fundraising, the event helped break down invisible boundaries between regions and build bridges between individuals, teams, and organizations, as Qualico and Habitat for Humanity organizations across the three provinces pooled their expertise to coordinate logistics, fundraising, communications, and community engagement.

The ride began in the Qualico community of Dawson’s Landing in Chestermere, AB, at the site of a 24-unit townhome Habitat for Humanity development. From there, cyclists traveled east, stopping in communities, meeting supporters in Regina, and raising awareness of Habitat’s mission.

Rain, headwinds, long days, and changing road conditions tested the riders, but support from colleagues, family members, and people following the journey helped carry them forward.

“It brought together the people who rode, those who supported us, people who followed along on social media, and friends and family who encouraged us,” said Claudio Palumbo, Regional Vice-President, Qualico Southern Alberta. “Knowing so many people were behind us meant a great deal, especially during the toughest stretches of the ride.”

Five days after leaving Chestermere, the team arrived at Qualico’s head office in Winnipeg where supporters lined the street to welcome them. The finish marked the culmination of a shared effort that connected people, regions, and organizations in support of Habitat for Humanity.

A new tradition in northern Alberta

As Ride for 75 connected communities across three provinces, another cycling tradition began to take shape in Edmonton.

Inspired by the established cycling events, Qualico’s Northern Alberta team launched Ride the River Valley in support of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton. The team intentionally built the inaugural event around a 75-75-75 connection: Qualico’s 75th anniversary, a 75-kilometre route through the North Saskatchewan River Valley and a $75,000 fundraising goal.

“First, it was Ride Around the Lake supporting Habitat Manitoba, then it was Ride Through the Rockies in support of Habitat Southern Alberta. And that’s what inspired me to introduce Ride the River Valley in support of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton,” said Brad Armstrong, Regional Vice-President, Qualico Northern Alberta.

Brad, who serves on the Board of Directors for the River Valley Alliance, said the event also aimed to bring attention to the Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw trail system.

“We wanted the route to tell a story that allowed riders to see the connection between our communities and the North Saskatchewan River Valley. It reinforces the idea that building communities is not only about homes, but also about movement, access, and shared spaces.”

During a cold and windy morning, the riders completed the route from Fort Saskatchewan through Marquis to River’s Edge. After completing the ride, participants gathered with supporters at the finish line celebration, where organizers announced the event had surpassed its $75,000 fundraising goal.

“Every donation represented someone choosing to stand behind Habitat for Humanity’s work and the families it supports. Seeing that generosity in year one showed what is possible when people come together.”

Ann-Marie Reddy, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, said Qualico’s support reflects a commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities.

“Together, we’re helping families, couples, and individuals build a future and experience the long-term stability that comes with homeownership. More than ever, we’re seeing people being blocked from the opportunity to own their own home. We are deeply grateful for this partnership.”

“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Qualico build beautiful Habitat homes in Edmonton, Leduc, and Sherwood Park. We are so proud every time we welcome a family into a Qualico home.”

A legacy that continues to grow

The four rides differed in distance, terrain, and geography, but they shared a common purpose: helping more people access homeownership.

They also show how one idea can grow. What began as a Manitoba fundraiser two decades ago has inspired a network of events supporting Habitat for Humanity organizations across Western Canada.

For Kevin Van, President & CEO, Qualico and co-chair of Ride Around the Lake, that growth is an important part of this year’s accomplishments.

“What makes this year’s achievement especially meaningful is seeing traditions that started years ago continue to grow through new leaders and new regions,” said Kevin. “It shows that giving back isn’t tied to one event or one person. It’s part of who we are at Qualico.”

“The dollars raised are important because of the impact they’ll have for families in our communities, but what gives me the most optimism is seeing so many people choose to contribute their time, energy, and passion to helping others. That’s the kind of legacy worth celebrating.”