Blizzard Bicycle Club releases book exploring decades-long history

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Cycling enthusiasts from around the Peace region now have the chance to read a local club’s long and colorful story.

Blizzard Bicycle Club co-founder Pat Ferris examines the group’s 42 years of existence in his new book, The Blizzard Bike Club – The Best Little Bike Club on the Planet, which was released online through Amazon last week.

Beginning his love affair with bicycle racing in Victoria, Ferris told Energeticcity.ca that part of the motivation for putting together this scrapbook came from the idea he’s “getting old”.

“I’m 71,” said Ferris. “While I’ve sent out stories about the club over the years, I hadn’t really thought about it. I ended up with this pile of information heaped in my closets.

“[I thought] ‘wow, what are we going to do with this stuff?’ [I know] at some point, this is all going to be dispensed with and likely forgotten. So I thought ‘what better time to write?’”

The 430-page book features tidbits regarding the exploits, challenges and successes the club has experienced.

Ferris says one of the largest differences between 1982 and the present is how information is presented, citing a time when more than a few media outlets covered the club’s events.

“Back in those days, there was the Alaska Highway News, the Northerner, the Northeast News and the Dawson Creek Mirror,” said Ferris. “They’d send people out to get photographs, and they’d write stories. Most of that is gone.

“The last couple of years have been difficult for us to keep information in the old files that we had because the papers are gone. So this might be our last chance to have all the history in a book.”

Ferris, who is still cycling, says some years have attracted as many as 102 participants.  The season begins in March following rigorous training sessions throughout the winter.

The club began 2025 with a New Year’s ride in January – a tradition that stretches back to the mid-1980s. 

Over the years, major milestones for the club have included members participating in the prestigious Tour de l’Abitibi race in Quebec, including Pat’s son Stephen Ferris in 2003.

“We’ve done pretty well,” said Ferris.

The Blizzard Bike Club – The Best Little Bike Club on the Planet is available on Amazon for $29.95. For more information about the Blizzard Bicycle Club, visit the club’s Facebook page.