Mike Day
Theartofbusinessphotography.com

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

BY AGREEING TO THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL WAIVE CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
In consideration of allowing me to ride along with Steve Iseman and Jim Redmond (which defines me as a “Participant”) on a leg of the Spinning Wheels Tour, including any pre- or post-ride activities (the “Event”), I, for myself, my personal representatives, assigns, heirs and next of kin represent, warrant, agree and covenant as follows:

  1. I FULLY UNDERSTAND that the Event will take place wholly or in part on a public highway and that riding a bicycle, whether on a public highway or off-road pathway involves risks and dangers of among other things, serious personal injury, including permanent disability, disfigurement, paralysis and death, as well as property loss, economic loss and risk of other losses. These risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of other drivers or users of the public highway or off-road pathway, collisions with other bicycles, vehicles or pedestrians, terrain or weather conditions, wildlife or domestic animals, lack of water, food or medication, actions or inactions of other Participants, the actions or inactions, negligence or gross negligence of the Releasees named below or any other cause whatsoever. I FULLY ACCEPT that the Releasees named below have planned the route based upon their abilities and that they have not considered or planned for the abilities of any Participants and that they are not providing any assistance to or support of any Participants. I FULLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME all such risks and dangers and accept and assume responsibility for all injuries, losses, costs and damages which I incur or suffer as a result of my participation in the Event.
  2. I ACKNOWLEDGE, AGREE AND REPRESENT THAT:
    I have satisfied myself, and believe, that I am physically, emotionally and mentally able and fit to participate in the Event without any assistance or support from the Releases named below or other Participants, and that my equipment, including my bicycle, helmet and other protective gear, are appropriate for use in the Event, whether on a public highway or offroad pathway;
    I understand that all applicable legislation, including, Highway Traffic Laws and Regulations, local by-law requirements, and all rules set by any private or public owners of the roadways or offroad pathways must be followed, and that at all times the sole responsibility for my personal safety and my equipment remains with me; and
    I will immediately remove myself from participation in the Event if at any time I sense or observe any unusual hazard or unsafe condition, if I feel that I have experienced any deterioration in my physical, emotional, or mental fitness, or that of my equipment, or if I have exceeded my comfort level for continued participation in the Event.
    I HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AGREE NOT TO SUE AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, SAVE AND HOLD HARMLESS Passion for Parkinson’s Foundation, Steve Iseman, Jim Redmond, Mike Loghrin, Darlene Richards-Loghrin, all volunteers, organizers or other persons assisting with the Event, and each of their respective affiliates, successors, directors, officers,
    employees, volunteers, agents and representatives (all of whom are collectively referred to as the “Releasees”) from all liability, claims, demands, losses or damages on my account caused or alleged to be caused for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, in whole or in part by the negligence or gross negligence of any or all of the Releasees or otherwise, including negligent rescue operations or first aid attempts, and I further agree that if, despite this Assumption of Risks, Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement, I or anyone on my behalf or by reason of their relationship to me, makes a claim against any of the Releasees, I will indemnify, save and hold harmless each of the Releasees from any litigation expenses, legal fees and disbursements on a full indemnity basis, loss, liability, damages or costs which any and all of the Releasees may incur as a result of such claim.
    I consent to receive medical treatment in the event of injury or illness suffered by me during the Event, and I agree to pay for the costs of any such medical treatment without contribution from any of the Releasees.
    I consent to Passion for Parkinson’s Foundation and the Spinning Wheels Tour, using or authorizing others to use any photographs, motion pictures or any other record of my participating in the Event, without remuneration, for any purpose including without limitation, on all advertising materials whether in print or digital, on the Passion for Parkinson’s Foundation or Spinning Wheels Tour website, or in their social media.
    This Assumption of Risks, Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement shall be interpreted and governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein. I agree to irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the Province of Ontario with respect to any dispute arising under, or pertaining to, this Assumption of Risks, Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement.
    I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS ASSUMPTION OF RISKS, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT AND I AM AWARE THAT BY BECOMING A PARTICIPANT IN THE EVENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH I AND MY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, AND ASSIGNS MAY HAVE AGAINST THE RELEASEES.
    I AGREE TO THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT INDUCEMENT ON THE DATE OF MY PARTICIPATION

Why We Are Doing it

You have probably heard of Parkinson’s Disease. You may even know people who suffer from it.  Get used to it, as Parkinson’s Disease is the world’s fastest growing neurological condition, set to double in number by 2040.

Parkinson’s Disease occurs when the brain’s dopamine-producing cells die prematurely. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter necessary for many functions of the brain and body, including muscular control, and its loss affects all forms of movement and balance, as well as non-motor functions such as memory, concentration and motivation.  Think of dopamine as the electricity in an electric car: without it, the lights dim and the wheels stop spinning.

There is currently no cure, no bio-markers to aid detection, and little is known about how it is triggered, except that Canadians are disproportionately afflicted

Most people living with Parkinson’s reduce or even discontinue regular intensive physical activity after their Parkinson’s diagnosis.  Why?  Their actual skills and abilities do not suddenly evaporate on the date of their diagnosis, though their mental fortitude often does.  As a result, many abandon the very restorative health practices, such as regular exercise, when they are needed the most.  For people with Parkinson’s, intensive exercise can boost energy, sharpen the mind, elevate spirits and keep the body mobile.  Studies indicate that intense exercise can help train the Parkinson’s afflicted brain to use dopamine more efficiently and be able to do more with less.

Let’s use the dopamine we have to build the lives we want.

What are We Doing

Canada is a big country.  It is home to over 100,000 people living with Parkinson’s disease, 9 in 10 of which suffer in silence, isolation, or without the support of a knowledgeable organization or community.  Starting in June 2022, we aim to cross our big country by bicycle to meet as many of these people as possible to personally deliver this message: get moving to stay moving.  

We start In Victoria, British Columbia and ride east through every Canadian province, and hundreds of cities and towns along the way.  Our route is approximately 8,000 km, and we expect to average 125 km a day, six days a week for approximately three months.  Our Spinning Wheels Tour team will include two riders with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as two ride-along supporters to keep things moving.  Along the way, we will be meeting with people whose lives are touched by Parkinson’s, and encourage them to get moving with us, get engaged in support communities, and to set up their own group athletics.

We are not athletes, just people with the resolve to do what it takes to live well with this disease, and to encourage others..  

Along the way, we hope to hear these words, “If they can do it, I can too.”