Dr. Craig Davis, an American humanitarian, is set to embark on a profound journey from Prince George to Juneau, Alaska, as part of his Riding for Peace campaign.
Driven by a desire to mend the societal rifts he has witnessed, Davis aims to travel over 1,000 kilometers, conversing with people about humanity rather than politics.
“After the elections this year, I just pulled the trigger,” Davis remarked.
He expressed concern over the rising tensions between Canada and the U.S., emphasizing the shared cultural bonds between the two nations.
Davis is determined to utilize his biking journey to promote goodwill, peace, and reconciliation through personal interactions.
His ride kicks off on Friday, June 27, with plans to reach the west side of Prince George before continuing to Vanderhoof on Saturday, June 28.
“I’m just going to ride to the west side of Prince George. Then tomorrow I have a monster climb and ride to Vanderhoof, which I calculated is about 55 miles and a climb of 1,900 feet, which is a lot for me,” he explained.
Davis humorously acknowledged that he may require assistance for the last stretch of his journey, envisioning the possibility of flagging down some friendly Canadians.
Ultimately, Davis’s ambitious route will see him travel from Prince George to Prince Rupert before flying to Whitehorse, allowing him to ride down the Skagway Highway and take a ferry to Juneau.
He plans to ride approximately 35 kilometers a day.
Davis is no stranger to long-distance biking; he has successfully completed previous trips in diverse locations, including Florida, Louisiana, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Scandinavia.
His humanitarian work spans several countries, including notable efforts in Somalia, Iraq, and Pakistan.
Reflecting on his past experiences, Davis cited community-based approaches he used during a riding trip following the 2020 U.S. election.
“I rode from Florida to Louisiana and back,” Davis recounted.
He observed the divisions brewing between people of varying backgrounds and recognized the necessity for healing within communities.
To catalyze change, he engaged others in dialogue, encouraging discussions on communal initiatives like creating gardens or collecting resources for those in need.
“This sort of community action is essential in international development,” he noted.
As he prepares for this new narrative on two wheels, Davis sees the journey as a culmination of his overarching career goals.
“I’m quite an introvert,” he candidly shared.
Yet, through these journeys, he has found joy in engaging with people and learning about their cultural narratives.
“This feels like the culmination of my career — what I want to do for the rest of my career and into retirement.
I want to be part of the solution and stop bellyaching about things that don’t go my way,” he added.
In a poignant twist, the urgency of his trip is heightened by a recent prostate cancer diagnosis, pushing him to focus on making a positive impact.
“We can either bellyache — and I know I’m not free of that — but I’ve done a lot of soul-searching,” Davis said.
He is committed to fostering positivity and encouraging those around him.
“I have prostate cancer — we’re monitoring it — but I want to spend the rest of my years being part of the solution,” he stated.
Encouraging local communities to connect with him, Davis invites anyone who spots him along Highway 16 to stop for a conversation.
“If you see a 65-year-old man puttering along at a very slow pace, pushing his bike up the hill, you’ll know it’s me.
If you see me anywhere along 16, just honk and wave — or if you want to stop and chat for a second, that would be great,” he expressed with warmth.
As Davis embarks on this meaningful journey, he hopes to inspire others to embrace similar missions of goodwill and take action towards a better understanding within communities.
image source from：princegeorgecitizen
