Ryan Phillips has definitely chosen to ride instead of hide.
The Lower Mainland resident rode into Salmon Arm Thursday, June 7, and took a break for an afternoon interview before returning to his cross-country bicycle trek the following morning.
A former professional hockey player who played a season with the Vernon Vipers (1995/96), Phillips鈥� current journey, across not just Canada but around the world, is fuelled by a determination to raise awareness about mental health.
鈥淚 suffered from bipolar which is a debilitating disease. Recently I鈥檝e gone to medication and my life has taken a turn for the absolute better. (That鈥檚 why) why I am riding this ride, for the purpose of helping inspire people who suffer from mental health illness of any different kind,鈥� said Phillips.
He said his ride began at the Terry Fox monument in Victoria. As of Friday, he had logged approximately 750 kilometres, choosing to ride through Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon before stopping in Salmon Arm.
鈥淲e took the long way, but it鈥檚 OK. It made me strengthen my legs a little bit,鈥� laughed Phillips. 鈥淵ou really get to see B.C. in all its beauty.鈥�
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The idea to ride around the world was inspired by Phillips鈥� recent journey through Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
鈥淭hat was really cool and I knew at that point, if I was going to do a ride, I wanted to do it for a purpose and as soon as I got back to Canada (I said) 鈥業鈥檓 going to do the world,鈥欌�� said Phillips. 鈥淚 really love challenges. Maybe that stems from my hockey career.鈥�
Phillips鈥� message to those suffer with mental health issues is to not be afraid to reach out.
鈥淎nybody who is suffering鈥攔each out,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is help. If I can do it, you can do it.鈥�
Phillips noted Salmon Arm residents can do their own riding for mental health awareness in the annual Canadian Mental Health Association Shuswap-Revelstoke鈥檚 Ride Don鈥檛 Hide event Saturday, June 23.
Registration for the event, to be held at the Little Mountain Sports Complex and park, is already underway. More information can be found at the .
Those wanting to learn more about Phillips鈥� journey can find him at , or on hispage, where he is raising funds for his ride.
newsroom@saobserver.net
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