June 19th 2010 will be the start of a very meaningful journey across Canada for 3 British Columbian bicyclists on a quest to raise funds and awareness for BC Parkinson’s Society. Bruce Cope was diagnosed with Parkinson’s five ago and will lead his son William Cope and longtime family friend, Wayne Newport on this fund raiser for Parkinson’s across Canada to Ottawa. It all began as William’s desire to make others aware of this debilitating disease and to accomplish something truly special with and for his Dad. All three ride regularly with the “Head over Wheels’ riding group in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island.
Their journey will start in Qualicum Beach at Head over Wheels Cycle and Sports on 2nd Ave. on the morning of June 19th at 8:30 am and proceed to Duke Point ferry. The fellows are hoping for as many well wishers as possible to come out to the shop area at that time for this grand send off. Once on the mainland they will continue to Abbotsford for the first night of rest. From there, the planned itinerary will take them east along Hwy 3 through the beautiful Kootenays and majestic Rockies, then onto the Prairie Provinces riding the long straight roads towards the Ontario lake heads. After the lake head road they will take hwy 17 following the Ontario Quebec border all the way to Ottawa where they will finish the ride at parliament hill.
During this trip Dr. Darren Warburton (Cardiovascular Physiology & Rehabilitation Laboratory, Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, University of British Columbia) will be conducting a series of advanced cardiovascular assessments pre, during, and after the ride. The riders are pleased to contribute in any way to help solve some of the unknowns of Parkinson’s disease.
There will be a fund raiser at Qualicum Community Hall on Memorial Ave. on June 11th at 7 pm with a silent auction along with appetizers and beverages. The website www.pedalforparkinsons.ca will have a donation site to click onto and will give further information about the trip, the riders, and their daily progress across the country.
Email: contact@pedalforparkinsons.ca or phone for more information at 250 951 8866. Tickets for this event will be available at Head over Wheels Cycle and Sport and Mulberry Bush Book store both at 130 W 2nd Ave Qualicum, also at Qualicum Cruise and Travel agency 115 W. 2nd Ave.