Join me in challenging stigma, building awareness, and creating community for over 110,000 Canadians living with Parkinson’s.

2025

This summer, the story of Parkinson’s was written on the open road, with every pedal stroke, strength and hope pushed forward.

The Spinning Wheels tour carried hope across Canada with the unwavering belief that Parkinson’s doesn’t define the people who live with it. Their courage and determination to keep moving forward inspring us along the way. See their story featured in the news.

Co-chairs Lloyd Taylor, Jim Redmond, and Mike Loghrin, who all live with Parkinson’s, were joined by cyclists on every stretch – the riders averaged over 100 km a day. Teams started on both coasts, and from northern Canada, meeting in Hamilton, Ontario, before completing the final stretch into Toronto on September 13. The final leg of the tour proved to be emotional for all in attendance – 122 riders with Parkinson’s and many who awaited them at the finish line. At the Grand Finale, the riders reflected on just how far they had come, together. “Seeing a stream of white jerseys flowing through the waterfront, stretching beyond the skyline, I couldn’t stop smiling, I couldn’t stop crying,” said participant Li Jiang, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age

Participant Li Jiang, who lives with Parkinson’s, captured what many felt:

“They would tell you, from afar, those hills looked like impossible walls connected

to the sky, but pedal by pedal, the impossible becomes possible, fear becomes

confidence.”

Lloyd Taylor understood the deeper impact: “I realize the power of the message to raise awareness for people living with the condition and give them some sense of what we’re fighting for.”

Jim Redmond captured what the community discovered: “The word needs to be spread about what we think works well with Parkinson’s, and that’s exercise and community.”

For 45 days, riders proved that thriving with Parkinson’s means showing up with your own unique rhythm. They laughed through rain, cheered each other up hills, and transformed challenges into connection.

When riders rolled into Toronto together, they proved that when people living with Parkinson’s stand in the light connected and supported, they change how the world sees what’s possible.

2024

Spinning Wheels Relay 2024

We Did It!

Saturday, Sept 28th the Spinning Wheels Relay came to an end. After cycling 10,000 kms across Canada – through all ten provinces plus the Yukon and North West Territories – cyclists who are living with Parkinson’s and their supporters ended their ride with a celebration!

Since July 27th, three teams have met with hundreds of people living with Parkinson’s across Canada. They have laughed, cried, and shared stories on how they live with their disease and embrace their diagnosis. The main objective of the ride is to physically show the benefits of exercise in alleviating and in some cases, reversing the symptoms of the disease. They have built a community of people and ultimately, shown others that they are not alone.

Thank you to one and all, it took a community behind us and around us. We look forward to sharing with you the memories we built together!

https://spinningwheelstour.ca/

Improves ability to stand from a seated position

Improving Core Strength: The challenge involves the "sit-to-stand" movement, which targets and strengthens the core muscles, essential for stability and mobility.

Enhancing Balance: By engaging in the challenge, participants can improve their balance, reducing the risk of falls and enhancing overall coordination.

Promoting Better Posture: Regular participation in the challenge can help individuals maintain or improve their posture, leading to better spinal alignment and reduced discomfort.

World Parkinson's Day April 11, 2024

2023

Sit 2 Stand Challenge

World Parkinson's Day April 11, 2023

2022

Spinning Wheels Tour 2022

What are We Doing

Canada is a big country. It is home to over 100,000 people living with Parkinson’s disease, 9 in 10 of which suffer in silence, isolation, or without the support of a knowledgeable organization or community. Starting in June 2022, we aim to cross our big country by bicycle to meet as many of these people as possible to personally deliver this message: get moving to stay moving.

We start In Victoria, British Columbia and ride east through every Canadian province, and hundreds of cities and towns along the way. Our route is approximately 8,000 km, and we expect to average 125 km a day, six days a week for approximately three months. Our Spinning Wheels Tour team will include two riders with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as two ride-along supporters to keep things moving. Along the way, we will be meeting with people whose lives are touched by Parkinson’s, and encourage them to get moving with us, get engaged in support communities, and to set up their own group athletics.

We are not athletes, just people with the resolve to do what it takes to live well with this disease, and to encourage others..

Along the way, we hope to hear these words, “If they can do it, I can too.”

https://spinningwheelstour.ca/home/

Rigid Riders and Pedaling For Parkinson's

The Rigid Riders

A GTA Parkinson Cycling club We are the Rigid Riders. We are a group of people living with Parkinson’s Disease who have chosen a different path and decided to fight back. We cycle. Cycling has proven health benefits for people living with Parkinson’s Disease. Our members cover the full range of cycling abilities and many of us have not cycled since we were kids. So, to the list of reasons why you are not cycling now, we say:

1) Make the time. You are experiencing change and you must adapt.

2) It will hurt more if you don’t manage it. Muscle rigidity, balance, and flexibility may be at risk if not addressed now.

3) It’s free to join. We help with equipment, volunteer coaching and optional spin classes (at a cost).

4) We are a supportive team, and we understand what you are going through.

5) PD can subdue your motivation. Together we motivate each other.

Our goal: complete a 40-kilometer route in a Pedaling for Parkinson’s Event later in the year. In preparation, we will train as a team, including indoor spin classes through the winter an outdoor cycling routes in the spring. Spouses and/or care partners are welcome to join. We are currently most active in the GTA. We are looking for eager organizers in other areas. If you think that you may be that organizer, let’s talk.

To find out more or to inquire about joining the team, email us at gorigidriders@gmail.com.

Don’t delay; we are stronger together, and we want to hear from you.