Written by Mike Treadgold

For Ian Whatley, the combination was all too fitting: a chance to combine a lifelong hobby with an awareness campaign for a highly personal illness.

Growing up in Peterborough with limited access to transportation, Whatley had to rely on his bicycle to get around as a youth. Cycling became a hobby and a necessity, eventually leading to an individual journey throughout Nova Scotia.

And like anyone else, Whatley has also been forced to deal with the trials and tribulations of family illness, as two of his grandparents – individuals with whom he shared close relationships – have been stricken by Alzheimer’s disease, the degenerative, terminal condition that initially affects one’s mental, and eventually physical capabilities.

“It’s been difficult watching [my grandparents] being taken over by this disease,” said Whatley. “It’s hard to watch someone cope with it when they used to be so coherent and loving. You can tell that on some level, they know what is happening to them, too, and you can see their frustration.”

With a desire to draw awareness to Alzheimer’s and make practical use of his passion for cycling, Whatley, along with fellow third-year biological sciences student and friend, Benjamin Love, have decided to set forth on a two-wheel journey across Canada, beginning in late June.

The idea for the awareness campaign was founded while the two U of G students were having lunch, late last summer. Each with an appreciation for cycling and Whatley, with his family history of Alzheimer’s, the decision was easy.

“It really came out of nowhere,” said Love. “I went to Ian and asked if he wanted to [cycle] across Canada. It’s something we’ve both always wanted to do.”

Their trek will begin in Vancouver, British Columbia, and remain close to the Canada-US border, traveling through the prairies and into Ontario, before making their way along the St. Lawrence River through Quebec, New Brunswick and finishing in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Whatley and Love have set their average daily target around 120 kilometres.

“On some days when we get a nice tailwind, perhaps we can push 200 kilometres,” speculated Love. “But going through the mountains on other days, we might only be able to go for 60 or so.”

By traveling close to the major cities across the country, Whatley and Love are hoping that their journey gains momentum and support as they move eastward. While they don’t expect to acquire a Forrest Gump-esque following, they remain optimistic.

“We’d like to build momentum leading up to the beginning of the trip, and also as we get going,” said Love. “We’re hoping that by keeping people updated via our website, it’ll get as big as possible.

“We’ve set our fundraising goal at $5 000, but we’d love to exceed that,” added Whatley. “We’re hoping to generate awareness as we do the ride and we hope that will happen as we meet people along the way.”
Whatley and Love have done extensive research leading up to their June departure. Accounts from other cyclists, who have made the same journey, recommend beginning on the west coast and traveling eastward. This allows them to take advantage of the prevailing winds, and battle through the mountainous stretches at the beginning of the trip, instead of at the end.

In addition to soliciting publicity from other newspapers and the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, Whatley and Love have created their own comprehensive website, www.acrossthenation.ca, to complement their initiative. The website contains a secure link to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada where individuals can make donations to support their upcoming journey. As they travel, Whatley and Love intend to update the website on a regular basis with pictures, blog updates and personal accounts from their travels.

“We can’t wait to get started,” said Love. “We’re really looking forward to sharing our experiences with everyone and we want to get the word out as best we can and really generate awareness.”

Your anonymous comment may be printed in The Ontarion's print publication.