Cyclists cycling across Canada for Parkinson’s disease say the ride is like medicine

When Jim Redmond and Mike Loghrin get on their bikes and hit the road, they experience a sense of freedom.

Getting active helps alleviate the symptoms of their Parkinson’s disease, and they want to share that experience with Canadians, Redmond says. That’s why they’re one of three teams cycling across the country for the Spinning Wheels Relay.

“A lot of times with Parkinson’s you slow down and you get cramps in your muscles,” Redmond said. “But when you get on a bike, there’s something magical about it. … It’s medicine.”

They want to show people how much exercise and community connections can help them, while also raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease, Redmond said.

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that can affect a person’s ability to move and speak. There is no cure and Parkinson’s Canada says more than 100,000 Canadians are living with the disease.

According to Loghrin, Spinning Wheels is about “having more fun by focusing on what you can do about the disease instead of what the disease does to you.”

On Saturday they arrived in Brandon, Man., after cycling about 3,000 kilometres from Victoria, B.C.

Redmond and Loghrin are part of the Spinning Wheels Western crew. They left Victoria, BC on July 27 and will arrive in Ottawa’s Parliament Hill on September 28 after cycling approximately 5,500 kilometres. At the same time, a team will travel from Newfoundland to Ottawa, and on September 1, a team will travel from Dawson City, Yukon, to Tuktoyaktuk, NWT.

Remond and Loghrin will come to Ontario on August 29th, and on September 17th, the three teams will come together to ride to Ottawa. Together, the Spinning Wheels riders have logged more than 10,000 kilometres in rides along three coasts.

They plan to organize more relays in 2024 and 2025. Their goal is to get more people involved, whether it’s for a block or an entire province, Redmond said.

Cycling for a good cause

Redmond and Loghrin first traveled across Canada in 2022 for Parkinson’s disease. They had a great experience connecting with different people and wanted to continue spreading their message about getting active and building community, Redmond said.

While the days can be long and blend together, the moments of connection are worth it because they help spread positivity when it comes to living with Parkinson’s, Loghrin says.

“It’s not the end of the world. Your life is not over. … When you get a diagnosis like that, it’s scary,” Loghrin said. “You think, ‘Oh no, death, you’re going to degenerate your whole life.’ There are ways to stop it and there is a way to help.”

On average, they cycle about 100 kilometers a day, Redmond said.

Sometimes Redmond’s Parkinson’s disease can cause stiff legs, making it difficult for him to get on his bike and pedal. His tremors can also make it difficult for him to hold the handlebars, he can get cramps in his hands, or he can suffer from brain fog.

“The reality is this is tough,” Redmond said. “We’ve cycled in 100-degree temperatures … we’ve cycled through smoke, we’ve cycled through a little bit of rain.”

They just keep going with a positive attitude because they know they’ll get through it, Redmond said, adding that’s their philosophy when it comes to living with Parkinson’s.

But the biggest challenge for his team came when their bikes were stolen outside an Edmonton hotel on August 12. They had chosen specific bikes that could handle any terrain, because they were never sure what to expect on their route.

According to Redmond, the positive impact was the amount of media attention they received for Spinning Wheels and the help and encouragement offered was incredible.

People even lent out their bikes to use on the road, and a local bike shop also provided accessories to help them get on their way.

“If you’re going around the block and the bike doesn’t fit, that’s not a huge deal, but if you’re riding 100 miles a day, it does make a … difference if your bike doesn’t fit,” Redmond said. “Your knees get a little sore, your back gets a little sore, your wrists get a little sore, so that makes it more of a challenge.”

Loghrin now rides a fat tire bike after his custom gravel bike was stolen. He says their bikes were found, but his was badly damaged and the wheels were broken, so he’ll have to have it rebuilt.

The duo is looking for people who want to join them the rest of the way, or join them next year. The more people there are, the more light will be shed on Parkinson’s.

“It’s how to live with this crazy disease. It’s a problem, it’s ongoing, there’s no cure, but we have to do what we can to live with it the best we can, because your life is not over yet, that’s for sure,” Loghrin said.