Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 28/05) - Father Bart van Roijen could be forgiven if he asked for help from above while on the Mackenzie Highway in August.

The Roman Catholic priest decided to ride his bicycle from Fort Simpson to Fort Providence and back, a return trip of 660 km. An experienced cyclist, he was fit enough to pull it off, but the road conditions were an unexpected obstacle.

Father Bart van Roijen rode his bicycle from Fort Simpson to Fort Providence in August. Next year he wants to cycle to Calgary if he can find the time. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

Rain made the route very soft and the mud clogged his gears. Then large trucks working on a lengthy section of the highway kept hurling mud in his face when they passed.

"It was a challenge. I was laughing half-way (through), saying, 'Here we go,'" van Roijen recalled, chuckling. "I was lucky I didn't get injured."

It took him 24 hours to make it one way - 19 of those were spent pedalling, the remainder was consumed by naps and waiting for the ferries.

Each stop, no matter how brief, made him a target for the relentless mosquitoes.

He also saw a bear along the way, but it was more interested in feasting on berries than on him, he said, adding he is contemplating cycling all the way to Calgary next year.

He enjoys daily bike rides and walks because, in addition to the exercise, they allow him to think, pray or just clear his mind.

Going on family hikes and bike rides was something he did as a child in Holland and later in Montreal.

His parents and five siblings, who eventually relocated to B.C., were regular church-goers and his older brother considered joining the clergy, but wound up as a manager with Wal-Mart. Bart felt someone from the family should be a cleric and heeded "the call."

He arrived in Fort Simpson from Trail, B.C. in late June to take over from Father Rick Paulin.

He wanted to experience a remote ministry and see if it appealed to him.

"I don't like big cities," he said. "I like things small."

Father van Roijen said he has found a strong base of "lay presiders" - people who fill in as spiritual leaders in the absence of a priest - in Fort Simpson.

Just the same, he would like to start some faith-based programs, including introductory ones for youth, in the communities so long as there is commitment.

"If they're looking for something, I'm willing to work with them," he said, adding that he's also available for counselling and to share his knowledge of religion.