Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

21-Year-Old Cycling Across Canada For Alzheimer’S Research In Grandfather’s Memory

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Jul, 2018 12:37 PM
    HALIFAX — A young man is nearing the end of his 8,000-kilometre bike ride across Canada, an endeavour he began to honour his grandfather and raise money for Alzheimer's research.
     
     
    Skyler Roberts, who has raised nearly $2,000 for the Alzheimer Society of Canada so far, said his grandfather was diagnosed with the disease several years ago and died in January.
     
     
    "I didn't really notice it when it started, because it just started with him being a bit quiet, or repeating the same thing," said Roberts.
     
     
    "A few times we'd have a conversation, and as it went on you could see that he was really having trouble following conversations and starting to forget people."
     
     
    Originally from Brampton, Ont., the 21-year-old flew to British Columbia three months ago with his best friend, where they began their journey by dipping their feet in the Pacific Ocean.
     
     
    The two men recently arrived in Halifax, and Roberts said they have plans to bike up to Cape Breton and hop on a ferry to Port aux Basques, N.L., before making their way to their final destination of St. John's, N.L., where they'll finish their journey by dipping their feet in the Atlantic Ocean.
     
     
    Roberts said his grandfather came to Canada from India 50 years ago and fell in love with the country, so the trip seemed like a fitting tribute.
     
     
    "I think he'd be pretty proud of me," said Roberts, before adding: "I think he'd also think I was a little bit crazy for doing this."
     
     
    They hope to wrap up their trip by July 31: a hundred days after they left.
     
     
    "My grandfather lived to be 99, so we figured we'd go for 100," said Roberts.
     
     
    According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the disease is a major cause of dementia, which they say affects over 500,000 Canadians.
     
     
    In a written statment, society spokeswoman Rosanne Meandro said: "Most of us will be touched by Alzheimer's or other form of dementia at some point in our lives, so it's tremendously appreciated when Canadians of all ages and walks of life get behind this cause to raise much-needed awareness and funds for research."
     
     
    Before embarking on the trip, neither of them had any cycling experience, and Roberts said they were unsure if they would actually be able to do it.
     
     
    "We just said, 'Hey, let's see how far we can go,'" he laughed. "We've somehow made it this far and got some good muscles ... we're definitely cyclists now."
     
     
    The two men cycle during the day, and at night, Roberts said they either set up camp or stay with people in the towns they're travelling through.
     
     
    Before they took off, Roberts bet his cycling companion Mario Caicedo $20 that he wouldn't be able to complete the journey. With the end of their trip on the horizon, Caicedo said he looks forward to cashing in on that bet — but not as much as he looks forward to being back home.
     
     
    "It's been a long trip and I'm ready for it to be over, to go home and have my bed every day, as opposed to sometimes not knowing whether or not we'll be able to sleep inside," Caicedo added.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    UK Defends Move To Refuse Right To Live, Work To Indian Professionals

    UK Defends Move To Refuse Right To Live, Work To Indian Professionals
    The UK government has defended its controversial decision to deny residency rights to hundreds of highly skilled professionals, including Indians, 

    UK Defends Move To Refuse Right To Live, Work To Indian Professionals

    Woman Who Saw Toronto Subway Rescue Says Men Who Leapt Into Action Are Heroes

    Woman Who Saw Toronto Subway Rescue Says Men Who Leapt Into Action Are Heroes
    Julie Caniglia said in an interview that a man on her eastbound train jumped down to the tracks Thursday afternoon and crossed over to the westbound platform to help the man.

    Woman Who Saw Toronto Subway Rescue Says Men Who Leapt Into Action Are Heroes

    Police Release Names Of Mother, Daughter Who Died At Ontario Resort

    Police Release Names Of Mother, Daughter Who Died At Ontario Resort
    Xia Zhen, 34, and Chloe Gong, 5, of Markham, Ont., were on vacation at Mountain Springs Resort just west of Collingwood, Ont., when tragedy struck on Tuesday evening.

    Police Release Names Of Mother, Daughter Who Died At Ontario Resort

    Supreme Court Rules Edmonton Man Who Killed Toddler Will Not Go Back To Jail

    Supreme Court Rules Edmonton Man Who Killed Toddler Will Not Go Back To Jail
    The high court has lowered Richard Suter's sentence to the 10 months he has already served. His 30-month driving ban was upheld.

    Supreme Court Rules Edmonton Man Who Killed Toddler Will Not Go Back To Jail

    'She Let Nothing Stand In Her Way:' Viola Desmond Honoured With Walk Of Fame Star

    'She Let Nothing Stand In Her Way:' Viola Desmond Honoured With Walk Of Fame Star
    Robson beamed as a Canada's Walk of Fame star was unveiled in Halifax this afternoon in honour of the civil rights pioneer.

    'She Let Nothing Stand In Her Way:' Viola Desmond Honoured With Walk Of Fame Star

    'Armed And Dangerous': Peel Police Identify Awais Khan As Suspect In Mississauga Shooting

    'Armed And Dangerous': Peel Police Identify Awais Khan As Suspect In Mississauga Shooting
    Investigators from the 11 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male party.

    'Armed And Dangerous': Peel Police Identify Awais Khan As Suspect In Mississauga Shooting