After 93 days on the road, and covering more than 9,000 kilometres, Olympian Clara Hughes arrived in Winnipeg Saturday afternoon.

A hometown welcome awaited the Olympic athlete at the Red River Exhibition Grounds, with cheerleaders and clowns cheering on Hughes, who is riding across Canada to raise awareness for mental health.

At the Clara Hughes Recreational Park, a large crowd gathered in pouring rain to hear her speak.

"It's always amazing to come home, because that's where the true support is, through the tough times, through the great times, especially today in the pouring rain, to see people come out, I can't believe it,” Hughes said.

The athlete was joined by fellow Olympic speed skating medalist Christine Nesbitt, who shared her story of living with depression for the first time.

"My struggle was a couple years ago, and it's still something I'm working through, but I'm strong enough now, to share it,” Nesbitt said.

Hughes says that’s the motivation behind Clara’s Big Ride – talking about mental health, and what resources are available in the more than 200 communities.

"So many people ask me, like, 'I have a daughter, I have a sister, I have a friend who's struggling. What do I do?’ People have no idea what to do and that's the place where we're at and that's what needs to change,” she said.

Clara’s Big Ride will get moving again on Monday, wrapping up in Ottawa on July 1.