Spinning Wheels Signature Rides

Sign up here to join our signature rides throughout the relay. 

Find dates, locations, and further information on individual rides and how you can join!

Hamilton-Mississauga: September 21st, 2024 

As our western team rides into their final province of the relay, you are invited to join them on this 50 km leg into the GTA. We are looking for approximately 100 riders to join us for this leg to help our riders persevere as we come closer to the final destination. The ride is set to take place on September 21st, 2024 and will include two fundraising events with the help of some of our partners. 

The day’s festivities will begin in the morning in Hamilton where we will be working with the amazing people at Parkinson’s Wellness Innovation Centre to organize a pancake breakfast for all riders and supporters. Following this morning event, the riders will hit the road and begin the journey to Mississauga. As we arrive at our destination, your hard work and support will be celebrated with an evening event of music, dancing, and a barbecue, put together by the wonderful Passion for Parkinson’s organization. 

Please fill out the form below if you wish to participate in this exciting day of cycling and fun!

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Carleton Place-Parliament Hill: September 28th, 2024

On September 28th, 2024, the final leg of the Spinning Wheels Relay will take place and we want you to help us celebrate. The ride will begin in Carleton Place, ON and traverse 53 km to our nations capital. We are looking for 100 riders to join us on the final leg to help us cross the finish line. 

Once we reach Ottawa, our 100 riders will meet 500 of our supporters for a final celebration of our hard work, achievements, and your support. We look to ride the final 5 kms and walk up Parliament Hill with our riders, supporters, and Canadian Members of Parliament. On Parliament, we will demonstrate the impact and aid that Spinning Wheels has brought to the Parkinson’s community. We will share stories, hear speeches from our leaders, and discuss what our initiative has in store for the future. Additionally, we have invited MP’s from across Canada to come meet our riders and share stories. 

Please fill out the form below if you wish to join the final leg and celebration!

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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.”