A Magnetawan man is going to cycle across Canada to raise awareness for Parkinson’s Disease.
Walter Reich is the former owner of the Quiet Bay Motel and is planning to begin his journey April 12th in Tofino, BC, wrapping the over 8,000-kilometre journey in late October.
He chose Parkinson’s Disease as the cause to support because of two of his wife’s family members who have suffered from the illness, but he has also participated in Parkinson’s events previously.
“Parry Sound has had Pedal for Parkinkson’s which I did the last few years,” explains Reich. “My wife has two uncles who have had (it). My family so far has not experienced it.”
The light-hearted 70-year-old Swiss-born man took up cycling in a serious way in his 40s when he and his wife Regula took on a big tour with a group in Italy.
While he ran the motel during the 1990s he tried to ride as much as he could but soon grew tired of the same route he was covering regularly.
“We used to ride from our place to McKellar and back,” Reich says. “It was getting boring. Then I started doing the Bunny Trail which was 90 kilometres there and back.”
He then got involved with the Almaguin in Motion cycling group and his interest grew.
He is currently training in Washington State where the weather is a little more friendly, before he and his wife make the journey in their 28 foot RV to Vancouver Island next week.
Regula will drive the motorhome ahead and be ready for Walt’s rest breaks.
“I am very nervous about that,” she admits. “And some days I am going to ride with Walt.”
He anticipates being able to cover about 120 kilometres on most days, but knows the weather, especially wind, could curb those targets.
There will be a short break in August when they travel to Switzerland to attend a niece’s wedding, but then it will be back to business to complete the rest of the trip.
“It is a big trip but I am very excited to do it,” he says, adding, “And thank goodness for Sylvia (Stark) who is organizing everything behind the scenes.”
The couple is hoping to raise $50,000 and has started a GoFundMe page. They will be using some of the proceeds to cover the basic costs of the trip with the rest going to Parkinson Canada.
If you would like to donate to Walt’s efforts you can click here.