Cyclists hit the streets of Halifax to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s

Dozens of cyclists took to the streets of Halifax and Dartmouth on Sunday for the Spinning Wheels Tour, a ride dedicated to raising money and awareness for Parkinson Canada.

For Mike Loghrin, the event is deeply personal. He’s been living with Parkinson’s disease for 12 years and has been part of the tour since it began.

“Four years ago we started out and they wanted to ride across the country for Parkinson’s, and I thought that was a very silly of them,” Loghrin recalled with a laugh. “I went home and told her, and she said, ‘I’d love to do that,’ so she brought the RV and followed us.”

This year, Loghrin has already logged nearly 300 kilometers riding from Gander to St. John’s as part of the cross-country effort. He says cycling is one way to stay active and keep the symptoms at bay.

“We’re trying to spread the word about community and exercise for people with Parkinson’s,” he said.

Loghrin’s family is also involved. His nephew, Max, has been riding alongside him for years.

“My dad and uncle have Parkinson’s,” Max said. “Going on rides with them is a great way to stay active and help reduce some of their symptoms.”

Susan Fullerton, who also lives with Parkinson’s, joined the Halifax ride surrounded by friends - some on bikes, others cheering from the sidelines with a banner.

Fullerton, who is also the organizer of the event in Halifax, says the tour is about more than fundraising.

“If we’ve touched one person’s life with Parkinson’s and told them, ‘You’re not alone, and by the way, try biking or some other exercise,’ that’s pretty incredible,” she said. “Exercising in the community is important.”

From the Halifax waterfront to the winding streets of Dartmouth, riders covered close to 50 kilometers. For many, it wasn’t about the distance, it was about showing that Parkinson’s doesn’t stop determination.

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