Instagram Facebook-f Youtube

Join us on Socials!

SUPPORT THE CAUSE
PIXEL PROJECT

Steve’s Blog – Sept 9 and 10 – cxx – Sackville to Truro and Halifax

I have forgotten to mention that our group is now 5, as we are joined by Jim’s wife, Krista. Sheis a natural fit and, for me, arrives with sleuthing skills to find a perfect pie and help celebrate my birthday. It turns out that it is also Jim and Krista’s wedding anniversary, and there are […]

Steve’s Blog – Sept 4 – the cost – Rivière du Loup to Edmunston NB

When we started this journey 2 ½ months ago, time and opportunity seemed limitless. It’s nolonger that way, and we are now making plans for our final days – the last long ride, the lastgroup ride, the last free day. Crossing into New Brunswick seems to have been the impetussince it is the start of […]

Steve’s Blog – Aug 31- clear reception – Cornwall to Montreal (Laval), Quebec

Gil and Sharon are splendid hosts with a lovely home. They deliver up coffee like pros andenliven four weary travellers at a very early hour.We drove to a community playhouse and settled in to our first ever Rotary meeting. The meetingstarts with happy bucks – voluntary contributions that are plunked into a coffee cup followingeach […]

Steve’s Blog – Aug 29-30 – 2 coffee makers – Athens to Cornwall

We tear away from the embrace of family once again, this time to spend two days hopscotchingalong a route plan with so much complexity that it sounds like a law school admissions question:Eg. Starting in Ottawa, cyclists A and B drive and ride the following routes.● Drove east from Athens to Smithfalls for an event● […]

Steve’s Blog – Aug 25-28 – it’s about the people we meet – Ottawa/Gatineau

The name “Ottawa” is derived from an Algonquian homonym meaning“gather for trade”. Gather, we did, and our trading was of stories, photos and best wishes. Fourdays of revelry.Through the exceptional efforts of Krista and many others, we gather first in Brittania Park for ameet and greet. We meet so many people, some who have come […]

Steve’s Blog – Aug 23-24 – Ottawa Bound – Peterborough to Ottawa

Physics observation: the mass of your home is inversely and geometrical relative to yourdistance from it. Consequently, the closer you get to your home, the greater the gravitationaldraw, squared.I observed this principle over the course of these two days of travel with Jim. We leftPeterborough late and set our sights on Arden, Ontario – mathematically […]

© 2024 Spinning Wheels Tour - All rights reserved

quick links
Donate
Social
Instagram Facebook-f Youtube

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.”