Four years after standing on the podium three times at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, Tristen Chernove is looking to face another challenge.

The marathon cyclist is preparing to ride what is known as the BC Epic 1,000, a 1,066-kilometre journey that will take Chernove from Fernie to Merritt.

In only three days.

The charity ride, fundraising for the Paralympic Foundation of Canada, was inspired by the cancellation of all races and events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic and Olympic Games.

“I really wanted to do something where I could see how my sport efforts are about something more than just myself,” said Chernove. “I want to help organizations like the Paralympic Foundation of Canada provide opportunities for other athletes like the opportunity that has been provided to me.

“It’s been so instrumental in the quality of life that I live and the happiness I get from being able to be involved in sport, so it just absolutely made sense to me to do anything I could to help create new avenues and support existing avenues for individuals who might not ordinarily see themselves being able to access an athletic lifestyle.”

The incredible feat of endurance will be mostly off-road. Along the way, Chernove will pass through points of interest like Cranbrook, Kimberley, Nelson, Trail, Grand Forks, Midway, Penticton, and Princeton.

The longest part of the ride between potential stops will be shortly before Chernove arrives in Merritt: an 80-kilometre distance between Tulameen and Otter Lake Provincial Park.

Tentatively, the ride will end downtown on Quilchena Avenue.

Chernove plans on starting the ride on July 18, depending on weather conditions, and arrive in Merritt on July 20.

He certainly is no stranger to the sport: Chernove stood on every height of the podium at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, earning a gold, silver, and bronze medal. The feat prompted him being named the Canadian Para-cyclist of the Year for 2016.

He earned the title once again, in 2018, after impressive performances at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup.

All in all, Chernove has earned 13 titles.

Most recently, the 45-year old picked up three silver medals at the 2020 track world championships in February.

Though an expert rider, Chernove admits he is fairly inexperienced with distanced cycling.

“I do my best as far as performing as an athlete when I have difficult challenges to rise to and this to me looked like something that would challenge me on many levels,” said Chernove.

“This is providing something else for me to focus on and push myself in a different way.”

Chernove suffers from Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, which causes degeneration of motor nerves in muscle weakness and atrophy in the arms, legs, hands or feet, and the degeneration of sensory nerves results in a reduced ability to feel heat, cold and pain.

So far, Canadian Tire Corporation, Pfizer Canada, Old Spice, and Petro-Canada have all come on board in donating $5,000 each to the cause.

Anyone looking to add to the funds raised can visit his fundraising page.