A cross-country motorcycle journey brought an Ontario man to Saskatoon Thursday as he works to raise money and awareness for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB.) Lorenzo Pellicciotta set out at the start of July on a more than 20,000-kilometre journey to reach Canada’s farthest points north, south, east and west, while visiting all 10 provinces and two territories. His ‘Miles for Sight’ campaign was inspired by his daughter and other loved ones living with vision challenges. “My daughter was born with vision problems. At just four years old, she had both her cataracts done,” Pellicciotta told CTV News during his stop in Saskatoon. He said she also has optic nerve damage. For years he wanted to find a way to help people facing vision challenges. That opportunity came in 2024, when a stop at a Harley-Davidson dealership led him to an adventure bike that made the cross-country journey possible. “The switch clicked. I said, I’m going to buy this bike, and I’m going to ride across Canada to bring awareness for the CNIB.” The trip has already taken him to Point Pelee, Ont., the southernmost point on mainland Canada. He then rode to Beaver Creek, Yukon, Canada’s westernmost community. He later reached Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., Canada’s northernmost community accessible by road. He says one of the highlights so far have been the people he’s met along the way. He added even routine stops for gas have led to conversations with people who are blind or have vision loss. He said many have thanked him for the fundraiser, embraced him and offered to display his poster. Another highlight was riding through Muncho Lake, B.C., where he came around a bend and spotted a bison. “There it was, a 2,000 pound bison.” Pellicciotta said the animal started running in the same direction as his motorcycle, and the two travelled side by side for a short distance. “I could have reached out and pet this thing, that’s how close I was. It was just unbelievable.” He said he eventually slowed down but the bison kept running. His only regret is not having his camera to capture the encounter. Along with reaching Canada’s farthest points, Pellicciotta is working towards a $100,000 fundraising goal. He said he’s about halfway there. He expects to complete the journey in early September, with a final stop at Cape Spear, N.L., the easternmost point of land in Canada. More information about the fundraiser is available on the Miles for Sight website.
