Three teams of cyclists are sharing the miles, in making their way across Canada to raise money and awareness of Parkinson's Disease through the Spinning Wheels Relay to end Parkinson's initiative.
The relay team heading east passed through Brandon on Sunday, and Portage on Monday, to arrive in Winnipeg Monday evening on their way to Ontario. They’ve reached about halfway to their destination, Ottawa.
Two teams started at each end of Canada on July 27th, including at least one cyclist with Parkinson's included in the group at all times. The relay will cover over 10,000 kms across Canada, crossing each province, two territories and three coasts in 60 days to arrive on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on September 28th.
One team started in Victoria, BC while the second team started in Newfoundland. The third team will begin their trek north from Whitehorse, Yukon on August 31st to bike to Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease affecting more than 100,000 Canadians, with 30 new patients being diagnosed every day in Canada alone. Parkinson’s is commonly characterized by its motor symptoms, such as slowness of movement, rigidity, tremors and postural instability. But many people experience other changes that are often not identified as symptoms of the disease. These are known as non-motor symptoms and are often left untreated.
Toronto cyclist, Mike Loghrin, was diagnosed with Parkinson's at 50 years old. Now 61, he and fellow support group members co-chair the Spinning Wheels Relay across Canada with the goal to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s related charities and community groups. Funds raised in each province and territory will go back to their partner charities to assist with providing programs and services to Canadians living with PD.
The cross-Canada ride was first done in 2022 when Loghrin and two fellow riders cycled from Victoria, BC to St John’s Newfoundland.
“We had a meeting after that ride and we had people tell us that we needed to continue it,” explains Loghrin. “So, we took the year off and are now doing it again this year, but differently by having other teams riding with us. It will be 10,000 kms in total but we have at least one person with Parkinson’s ride each kilometre.”
The teams have had their share of challenges. One can only imagine the uphill climb through the Rockies and other foothills along the way, but having their bikes stolen in Edmonton was the biggest challenge for the group. They had to purchase new bikes and get their trailer hitch fixed.
“That was the biggest challenge, but other than that we keep rolling. The outreach and support were very good from the Edmonton-ions and the people around there,” he adds. “That was awesome.”
Loghrin and his fellow event coordinators met through the exercise support group for Parkinson’s in their home city of Toronto, starting the cycling group called the Rigid Riders. “We ride every Sunday with people with Parkinson’s. It expanded into riding for different events and then now we’ve decided to ride across the country to keep it going.”
“We’re just trying to show everybody that we’re just regular guys and can do it.”
"We've had a lot of different people come in and out at different times,” he says. “We’ve had a really enjoyable time during this relay and have met up with a lot of people in support groups and discuss what we’re doing and show them that they can do it too.”
“Exercise is very good for our symptoms,” he adds. “We get on our bikes, and we can ride faster. I shuffle a lot when I walk, so biking is good that way. Any sort of strenuous activity that gets your heart rate up helps with the symptoms of Parkinson’s. If you walk, just walk a little harder. If you run, run a little harder if you can, and if you ride, ride a little harder if you can. That energy goes into your system and apparently it helps develop new pathways in your brain too.”
Loghrin says when one gets diagnosed with Parkinson’s it’s really a scary thing.
“When you get a diagnosis like that you leave your neurologist’s office and wonder where you go from there. People are worried about their jobs, their family, because it’s your family too that has to deal with it as it progresses,” he shares. “But you can do healthy things like eating right and exercising and joining a support group. And you get support from friends and family and that keeps you going, keeps you moving along.”
The Relay will wrap up on September 28, 2024 in Ottawa with a big rally and party!
For more information on Spinning Wheels Relay across Canada visit their Website and Facebook page.