After cycling through the mountains in British Columbia and Alberta, Walter Reich is now facing the Prairie winds as he rides across Canada to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease.
Having covered 1,935 kilometres since starting out in Tofino, B.C. on April 12, Reich and his wife, Regula, stopped in Moose Jaw on May 6 and 7 for a short rest — and to meet with a Parkinson’s support group — before continuing on. Reich is doing the pedalling, while his wife is driving an RV and acting as the support vehicle.
With another 6,000 kilometres left to travel, the Reichs expect to finish the trip in St. John’s, Nfld. in late July.
Pictures and updates of the trip can be found on Facebook under Walter and Giant, while donations can be made to the gofundme page at Walter and Giant. The fundraising goal is $50,000.
The Reichs will distribute any money they receive to Parkinson’s groups and affected individuals they meet during the journey.
From mountains to Prairie winds
“I’m glad the mountains are over, but now I have to face the wind,” chuckled Mr. Reich, 70, during an interview at Peanut Hills Campground. “Everybody tells (me) that you’re on the Prairies, you have a tailwind. Yeah, right. I didn’t have any tailwind so far. Crosswind and now the east wind. … A friend said, if I cycle into the headwind, it would be a good workout.”
Walter is doing well so far, said Mrs. Reich. She has only heard him say once that he was tired. Their stop in Moose Jaw was their fourth day off for rest. Mr. Reich is averaging about 100 kilometres per day on the bike. His longest stretch was 176 kilometres, while his shortest was 80 kilometres.
The Reichs are originally from Switzerland. The couple moved to Ontario 24 years ago and operated a hotel and café in the community of Magnetawan, located three hours north of Toronto.
Magnetawan has held a three-day Parkinson’s fundraiser every year for the last five years. That event helped Mr. Reich decide to fundraise for the neurodegenerative disease that causes people to shake.
A dream to cycle across Canada
For the last two years, Mr. Reich had the dream to cycle across Canada. The couple sold their business last November after retiring and drove to Orlando, Fla. They then began a 2,000-kilometre journey through the southern United States and up the West Coast before reaching Victoria, B.C.
“During those trips, we bicycled. Just loops. For him it was a stroll in the park. For me it was hard,” laughed Mrs. Reich. “But it was good exercise.”
Mrs. Reich had two uncles who died from Parkinson’s, while none of Mr. Reich’s family has been affected with the disease.
“I’m glad I do it,” he said. “I still think it is a good cause.”
Some people do better than others in managing their disease, he continued. Most people Mr. Reich has met on the journey who have Parkinson’s have been positive and cheerful.
Wet and cold weather
So far the Reichs’ trip has been wet and cold. It rained on them while they were in B.C., while it became colder when they reached the Prairies. They woke up in Pincher Creek, Alta., a few days ago to find it had snowed. When they arrived in Chaplin, Sask., they arose to discover the temperature was – 6 degrees Celsius.
Every day for the past two weeks Mr. Reich has faced crosswinds either from the north or northeast. This weather system is what brought the cold into the province.
Some of Mr. Reich’s favourite memories so far have been the people he has met; the mountains and the Prairies; and the massive farm fields. He pointed out he can ride for an hour and not see a house anywhere.
Mrs. Reich normally drives ahead of her husband and then waits for him. He can then change clothes or stop to eat. She also takes pictures of the scenery and the people they meet, before sending them to their media handler to post on social media.
Generosity of campground owners
While meeting with a teacher in Swift Current, the couple discovered the Chinook School Division is the same size as Switzerland.
“We are still European, so to cross the country is an eye-opener,” Mrs. Reich said. “We are so much in awe.”
Many of the campgrounds they couple has stayed at have let them stay for free because of their ride for Parkinson’s. Some of the campground owners have given them donations, while others have given them lunch.
“It keeps costs down,” said Mr. Reich about the free stays. “We have no sponsors. No companies.”
