The journey of recovery from alcohol addiction began for BC resident Jesse Lamb five years ago. First, in a rehabilitation facility in Prince George, then at Miklat Recovery Program in qathet.
Lamb said his experience at the local nonprofit men's rehabilitation centre was when he learned the tools and made the connections he needed to lead a life of sobriety.
Fast forward to May 2025, Lamb lands in Newfoundland and begins a cross-Canada cycle tour to raise money for Miklat's expansion of a 12-bed fully funded (provincial government) recovery facility for men, which is in the process of being built at the Arbutus site in Townsite.
A GoFundMe campaign has been organized by Miklat program manager Rob Fitzpatrick. So far, $1,650 has been raised.
"It’s about bridging the gap between suffering and healing, between isolation and community, between addiction and recovery,” stated Fitzpatrick, in a message on the GoFundMe page. “Jesse is riding for every man who needs a place like Miklat.
“Starting in Newfoundland, Jesse will pedal thousands of kilometres across mountains, plains and coastlines. But this isn’t just a test of endurance—it’s a statement of commitment to a cause that has changed countless lives, including his own.”
Last year, Miklat began operating under Together We Can Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society, a much larger organization with the ability to help expand and improve services in the region.
"When I first showed up in Newfoundland, the weather was nasty," said Lamb. "I turned around, hunkered down in St. John's for 10 days, and then started the trip."
Lamb said he decided to take on cycling more than 4,000 kilometres from Newfoundland to Tofino, for a few reasons.
"This trip is the last piece of my recovery puzzle that I cannot seem to fix," said Lamb. "I have some demons to work through; I'm stuck emotionally due to past trauma."
Lamb was born and raised in Ontario, but moved to BC 15 years ago.
"I was living in Revelstoke, but I finally made the choice to seek treatments," said Lamb. "I did something most people don't do; I did, a three stage process: A full time treatment facility in Prince George for six-and-a-half months, then from there, I transferred to Miklat in Powell River for a couple months, and then from there, I eventually moved back to Revelstoke."
Lamb said the ride is also in honour of his younger brother, who lost his life to addiction two years ago.
Lamb is now heading from Fredericton, New Brunswick, to Montreal, Quebec, with a 2,558 elevation gain, at a distance of 1,000 kilometres.
Money raised by Lamb will go toward expanding and enhancing Miklat’s programming, which includes counselling, safe housing and life skills training.
"They helped me fill in a few of the missing links that I was struggling with," said Lamb. "There's just something special about it; they walk the walk and talk the talk."
Many folks working at Miklat are on the recovery journey themselves, so they come with a unique perspective that helps them connect with clients.
"That gives you a lot of street credit, with people who are in the same struggle," said Lamb. "One of the biggest differences [compared to other facilities] is that you're in a place led by people who have lived it. These guys have done it too; they went through everything I'm going through, and there's power in that."
In September, Lamb will hit his five-year sobriety mark.
"It's a solo journey and it's a very personal thing for me," said Lamb. "I'm fortunate enough that I don't feel the pull to the alcohol like I used to; some people struggle with that draw even after they sober up."
Lamb said he's met many friendly and helpful people so far on his cycle journey.
"East coast hospitality is second to none," he added. “They're so awesome; there's so many people welcoming me to stay at their homes."
To find the Miklat GoFundMe, go to gofundme.com/f/help-jesse-ride-across-canada-for-addiction-recovery, or type Help Jesse Ride Across Canada for Addiction Recovery into a search engine.
Join the Peak’s email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
