Steve’s Blog – July 28 –  U-Turn – Winnipeg, Man 

Steve’s Blog – July 28 –  U-Turn – Winnipeg, Man

Amazingly, we haven’t taken a day off of riding since our rafting trip in Fernie, B.C.on July 12 (17 days ago), though we did have a very short ride in Kindersley (30km) on July 19 (10 days ago). Still …

Today has been one of the most memorable to date. Two television interviews, a chance to meet a legendary advocate for Parkinsons causes, a (mercifully short) cycle with a team of champions, a meet and greet in the park and chance to meet the people behind U-Turn Parkinson’s, repairs to the recumbent bikes, a gruelling boxing workout, and a chance to appear on a famous “coffee talk” show. 

Where to begin.

First, the date started with a Global TV (Winnipeg) morning show interview https://m.facebook.com/globalwinnipeg#!/story.php?story_fbid=426597272838204&id=100064638041438&m_entstream_source=timeline , and later, a CTV evening news [https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=2492667#2492667] Jim takes the lead  on both and does a good job. I did find tape of my radio yesterday on CJOB (Winnipeg) https://omny.fm/shows/cjob-morning/steve-iseman-spinning-wheels-bike-tour

Next I get to meet Tim Hague Sr. He is a Canadian legend and someone who I have been eager to meet in person. He is a tireless advocate for Parkinson’s research and life improvement. He is a co-founder of PD Avengers and created an effective and well-run organization called U-Turn Parkinson’s, that runs programs to encourage physical activity. The clever name comes from a feature of the show Amazing Race Canada (which he won). Tim is exactly my kind of guy. Next time I see him I’ll ask if he wants to be best friends.

We are treated to a roll through Assiniboine Park and surrounding streets with an amazing collection of cyclists. It is personally motivating to spend time with these people who find a way to stay active, even when it’s hard – or, perhaps, especially when it’s hard. We get back in time for a fun and timely meet and greet in the park.

Tim draws us together for some frank talk about our initiatives and his. It is recorded and, if it looks good, will be released as one of Tim’s Friday Coffee Talks.

We squeeze in a little time to call and travel to several bike shops to seek replacements for the worn tires on the recumbent bikes, finally succeeding. Phew! Dan, if you see this, your bikes are looking good.

Finally, we join the champions at a boot camp-style parkinson’s boxing class put on by the U-Turn team, including Tim’s daughter and dedicated volunteers.

And this is our day off! I spent the day with curiously over-active dyskinesia (involuntary body movements) which intensify over the day. Of course, it strikes at the precise time that I was hoping to look cool and collected. I’ll be watching this, and I have asked the guys to watch this as well. I am hoping it’s a blip, and it seems to be settling down now. 

Damn Parkinson’s!

Got to sleep now, as there are cupcakes to frost at first light. Don’t ask.