Brave the North: Pikangikum Ice Road Challenge
Two Bushtukah bike specialists gear up to tackle one of Northern Ontario’s most grueling winter bike challenges.
The Pikangikum Ice Road Challenge is a 4-Day Expedition that includes a 128km fat bike journey from Red Lake, Ontario, to Pikangikum First Nation. Challengers will brave snow, ice, and extreme winter conditions, with temperatures expected to range from -20°C to -30°C.
This is one of the two winter fundraising challenges hosted by New Hope Community Bikes, in partnership with local community leaders and supported by the Ontario Provincial Police. The money raised from this fundraiser will support the Indigenous Bike Program, which provides Indigenous youth access to cycling education, community bikes, tools necessary to maintain those bikes independently, and support to develop their own bike shop.
Ashley Belhumeur and Mike Cote, bike specialists here at Bushtukah, are travelling from Ottawa to Red Lake in February 2026 to take on this impressive feat of endurance and mental fortitude. They shared their motivations for undertaking this challenge, their training regimen, and other insights on their upcoming journey.
Why are you doing this challenge?
Ashley: “First off, I love to challenge myself. I find that I grow the most when I get out of my comfort zone and try something that I know will push my physical and mental abilities and limits.”
“While I know that I will achieve personal growth through this challenge, the real reason…is to give back and support Pikangikum First Nation.”
“Having previously worked in social work and harm reduction fields, I have been very fortunate to have worked with Inuit, First Nations, and Metis communities, all of which welcomed me and made me feel like a valuable part of their communities.”
“From these experiences, I learned many Indigenous communities experience a severe lack of resources alongside social barriers that prevent communities and community members from participating in sport in a way that is often inherent in settler communities. Although bikes are inherently excellent for physical activity, bikes also offer many social, physical and mental health, and environmental benefits to individuals and communities.”
“Therefore, when the opportunity arose to participate in an event where the goal is to provide Pikangikum First Nation with community bicycles, bike-related education, and the necessary tools and knowledge needed to maintain bikes, I knew I had to participate.”
Mike: “The idea of this challenge came to me in the form of a question: ‘Do you want to participate in a really cool challenge?’ That question, a somewhat wry inquiry, just had to be answered with ‘Probably!’”
“My co-worker Ashley then suggested I Google 'Pikangikum Ice Challenge’... the New Hope website gave further discussion on what the challenge was, and the importance of this program supporting an indigenous community…a long fatbike ride, 5 hours North East of Winnipeg. In the middle of February!! I nodded, smiled, and told her I would get back to her.”
“A couple days to ponder and assess. I didn’t own a fatbike. My longest winter ride is my daily commute to work. This ride would require special clothing and equipment way beyond what I own to protect myself from the stinging cold arctic winds and temperatures. Also, the logistics of getting [our] bikes to Toronto. Ourselves to Toronto. Then a flight to Winnipeg and then, a bus up North to Red Lake!”
“I took time to learn more about the organization behind this outreach program. New Hope Community Bikes. The people of New Hope are passionate [about] bringing bikes to people.”
“Cyclists or not, we are a community. I just happen to also love cycling, and I see the benefits it brings. I truly believe, by participating in this fundraiser, I am making a difference in the lives of Pikangikum Indigenous youth.”
“I’m in! Let’s go.”
How are you preparing for this challenge (training regimen, insights, etc)?
Ashley: “Preparing for the challenge actually requires a lot of meticulous planning. I am starting to increase the distance of my fat bike rides and go out no matter the conditions. I’m incorporating more lateral strength training exercises that will help with bike handling skills.”
“I’m logging what I wear, along with the temperature trends during rides and whether I was cold, hot, or sweating excessively. I’m also leaning a lot on the fat biking expertise of my colleague Christian, who has been instrumental in understanding the importance of varying tire pressure, gear choices, as well as giving me tricks that will improve bike handling skills.”
“However, another important aspect of my preparation is that I am learning about Pikangikum First Nation. Because we will be spending a full day in the community after we arrive, I feel it is important and [respectful] to have an understanding of cultural nuances and protocols, language, and community goals and resources.”
Mike: “I am fortunate to be able to ride most days of the year. Spring, Summer and Fall alot of club riding, riding with friends, on my own, and my commute to work. In the past, my winter riding was limited to relatively short commutes to work and riding on my indoor trainer. Now that I have a fatbike, a whole new world of biking has opened up.”
“Fatbike riding is so much fun!!”
What are 3 pieces of essential gear you will be bringing to support your journey?
Ashley: “Blivet Quilo X4 Winter cycling boots, my CamelBak with a 2L bladder (I will be wearing this under my coat to prevent freezing) and of course my Trek Farley 9.6 with 45NRTH Dillinger 5 Studded 120Tpi tires.”
Mike: “A studded-tire fatbike will definitely help. The best gear I can get to protect me from the elements. My time working at Bushtukah has taught me so many valuable lessons about dressing properly for the intended activity, conditions and environment.”
“[Bushtukah] carries some of the very best brands of gear on the planet. Our collection of merino products … I’ll be wearing Merino socks, base layers, a buff, and sweaters. I [wear] merino products every single day. I will also wear a top-quality, breathable Gore-Tex shell. My feet will sport a new product for Bushtukah – a Canadian-branded, super warm, Blivet Quilo X4 boots."
What is your mindset going into this challenge?
Ashley: “Considering we will be travelling a long distance in a remote northern area that is prone to adverse conditions, a positive mindset will help me navigate challenges on the route. For our first training ride, the snow was incredibly deep, and I had a hard time controlling the bike for the first 3 km.”
“Although negative thoughts [crept] in – leading me to question my life choices – I’ve reframed this experience from difficult and adverse to [an event] that will help me improve my bike handling skills.”
Mike: “I am new to fat biking. 128 km feels daunting. I have a great deal of experience cycling, but I’ve never done a ride such as this… in extreme cold. I enjoy cycling immensely, so I am confident my mindset will be very positive. However, I am respectful of the challenge ahead.
“In other fundraisers in which I have participated, it is during the actual event that the impact of what you are participating in is [realized]. The combined energy of the participants. The appreciation of the community. The difficulty of completing the task at hand. The satisfaction of participating in the event? That will [last] your lifetime.”
What do you foresee being your toughest obstacle during your journey?
Ashley: “Cold hands and hydrating and fueling adequately because I typically forget to eat and always have cold hands.”
Mike: “Distance [covered] while on a fatbike. The elements: Very cold conditions. Probable high wind chill, while being conducted partially in the dark, will factor into this very unique challenge. We expect it will be a 10 to 12-hour riding session.”
Bonus: How are you getting your bike to the start of the event?
Ashley: “Mike and I will box up our fat bikes and drive the bikes to Ontario Provincial Police Headquarters in Orillia, ON, a week before the event. From there, the OPP will transport our bikes to Red Lake.”
“We’ll be riding the train from Ottawa to Toronto, after which we will fly from Toronto to Winnipeg and then take a coach bus for 5.5 hours northeast to Red Lake. Once we arrive in Red Lake, we will build the bikes and then ride to Pikangikum First Nation.”
Support the Cause
Want to make a difference and make cycling more accessible to Indigenous youth? Visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/peer-to-peer/ice-road-challenge to learn more about how you can support the Pikangikum project and the brave few who will be undertaking the Ice Road Challenge.
Good luck Ashley and Mike!
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