Renee Ball

Ministry: Education

Years doing the B4UW? This is my first year!

What’s your day job? I work as a Statistical and Research Analyst in the Ministry of Education. My work primarily involves producing various indicators related to Student Achievement.

What’s your past biking experience? I am a relatively experienced cyclist. I started out as a commuter and then got into bikepacking and gravel riding. I have done a couple of bikepacking trips and several century rides.  

What’s your inspiration for this ride? My inspiration for this ride is to get involved with the OPS B4UW community. I love cycling and it has been transformative for my mental health to have this hobby. I appreciate this opportunity to use my hobby to give back to a great organization.

How are you preparing for B4UW? I have been on a committed fitness journey for over a year now. In addition to cycling, I lift weights, do Pilates and yoga, and have recently started my running journey. Weightlifting in particular has helped with my climbing abilities in the saddle. I am also getting back into the mechanic side of biking and refreshing my knowledge

What do you think will be your greatest challenge on the ride? I am pretty experienced with long rides. The main challenges are the unknowns, such as weather conditions. I would also like to try and do the ride at a 25 kph pace.

What do you like to do other than riding your bike? Other than riding my bike, I love camping and hiking, I also dabble in film photography and occasional watercolour painting and drawing. I also enjoy going to music festivals and travelling.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself. My first bikepacking trip was from Toronto to Kingston, and my first 100 KM ride was on the trip when I biked from Cobourg to Sandbanks Provincial Park. I remember when I reached the park, a flood of happy tears washed over me.