SpineRide to raise money, awareness for spinal cord injuries
Jun 20, 2008 - 10:56 AM
By Jillian Follert
DURHAM -- Renato Alessandrini's bike is hard to miss -- it's the one with the tiny spinal cord model affixed to the handlebars.
The unusual accessory is a reminder of the journey the Courtice resident is about to embark on.
On June 30, Dr. Alessandrini and his friend Brian Brideau will set off from Vancouver, with a goal of cycling across Canada and reaching Halifax by Aug. 8.
Dubbed Spine Ride Canada, the expedition is intended to raise awareness of spinal cord injuries and funds for the Canadian Paraplegic Association.
The idea came about as a tribute to Mr. Brideau's brother, who was severely injured when his ATV rolled over last summer.
He is now paralyzed from the chest down and has limited use of his left arm.
"Spinal injuries are so serious, there is no end to the needs people have," Mr. Brideau said. "It's hard for them to ever get back out into the community. I hope this will make people think about how to prevent those injuries, and I hope it will be a moral boost for my brother."â?¨ Dr. Alessandrini, a local cardiologist, and Mr. Brideau, a specialty welder from Courtice, have been cycling together for years, taking on small challenges like two- and three-hour rides through Durham Forest.
Once the idea for SpineRide started to take shape last fall, the duo began training in earnest, biking for hours every weekend, running, swimming and doing indoor spinning.
Recently they've managed rides of up to 400 kilometres, which puts them in good stead for the cross-country trip, which will require an average of 10 hours of cycling a day, covering anywhere from 65 to 358 kilometres.
"We're guys, we like the challenge," Dr. Alessandrini said.
The biggest obstacles will be the heat, and the difficulty of staying hydrated and eating enough while pedalling for most of the day, he said.
An RV stocked with food and essentials will be driven alongside the pair by a friend, and will also serve as their sleeping quarters at night.
Spinal cord injuries occur when an injury to the neck or back causes so much damage to the spine that nerves can no longer send messages to the brain. These injuries may cause paralysis or permanent numbness, tingling or pain in the arms, legs, hands or feet.
An estimated 38,000 Canadians live with spinal cord injuries and more than 1,050 new injuries are documented each year.
Motor vehicle accidents account for more than half of these injuries in Canada, with falls and sports accidents listed as other common culprits.
The Spine Ride team will be updating an online blog throughout the ride, and will be stopping off on home turf on July 26 at noon at the Courtice Health Centre, 1450 Hwy. 2.
For more information or to support SpineRide Canada, visit
www.cyclespine.com.
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