Brenda Trenholme of Rossland, B.C. recently spent five months cycling across Asia, passing through 10 countries, including Tajikistan (pictured). Her speaking tour includes a stop in Osoyoos on May 22. (Contributed photo)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

One year ago Brenda Trenholme embarked on the journey of a lifetime, and now she’s stopping in Osoyoos to tell her story.

In 2018, Trenholme spent five months travelling the ancient “Silk Road,” passing through ten countries and covering 13,000 kilometres, on a bicycle.

The retired doctor from Rossland, B.C. was one of 14 people to start – and one of ten to finish – the journey starting in China, passing through Mongolia, Siberia, Uzbekistan, to name a few, and finishing in Turkey, with Canadian organization TDA Global Cycling.

Trenholme’s presentation in Osoyoos will talk about what this Silk Road is, as well as the logistics of travelling through 10 countries, some of which she found less receptive and more restrictive for travellers.

She’ll also tell a few stories along the way.

“Some of the most impressive moments for me were just the sheer solitude and remoteness of Mongolia,” Trenholme said, noting that about 30 per cent of the country’s population is nomadic. With one large capital city, Ulaanbaatar, most of the country’s geography is undeveloped.

• Read more: Osoyoos senior skater heads to international tournament

“Just being in that environment was a really unbelievably rich experience because people would invite you into their little tents, which they call ‘gers.’ That was special.”

Another peak of Trehholme’s journey – literally – was reaching the top trip elevation of 15,300 feet at the Tibetan Plateau, known as the “Roof of the World.” But getting there wasn’t easy with the roughest roads she’s ridden to date.

“I knew they would be hard, but it was like riding a jack hammer,” Trenholme said.

“It’s just bone jarring, hanging on to your handle bars. It’s like trying to hang on to a jack hammer.”

The rough ride, paired with incessant Siberian winds moving at about 40 km/h, and for an entire month, was impossible to prepare for.

“I’ve done a lot of very challenging outdoor pursuits in my life and this was definitely the ultimate challenge,” Trenholme said.

Now she’s hitting the road again, but this time only across the province. Trenholme is visiting 21 communities starting in Grand Forks and ending on Vancouver Island, and again, she’s travelling by bicycle.

Donations collected at the events will be given to the Kenya Education Endowment Fund.

Her presentation in Osoyoos is on May 22 at the Sonora Community Centre at 7 p.m.