This is the story that led me to ride my bike across Canada from Cobourg, Ontario to Vancouver Island, British Columbia to raise money for Sick Kids Foundation.
It all started last summer, 2023 when I got my bike back from my grandparents that I hadn’t seen in years. I would just go for daily night rides down long empty country roads to help de-stress, clear my mind and as a form of exercise. It became a habit and I would do it every day and night, that is if I wasn’t tattooing.
I took part in the Sick Kids Great Cycle Challenge last year and I saw people would just ride their bikes to work, so I decided I would ride to Montreal, then to Ottawa, and back to Cobourg.
I always wanted to do something substantial in society and make a difference because I know if you do good things in life it will come back 10 fold. I’ve managed to go from homeless, no job and addicted to drugs to almost fully booking my months up for tattooing and being completely sober from the drugs (head to the Gallery to see my work as a tattoo artist).
A complete 360 turn around. I’m by no means a cycling pro or nature expert, I am your average guy that turned his life around but also wants to turn around others. We all deserve a chance in life. I’d like to give back and fight for people who may not be able to fight for themselves, as we all know of someone in our life that has been affected by cancer. RIP GRANDPA, RIP NELSON
Donations made to this page will be directed to the Garron Family Cancer Centre at SickKids Hospital. Tax receipts will automatically be issued via e-mail.
Follow my journey through @cycle.canada over on Instagram or TikTok!