Jim Large doesn't want your money.
He's not looking for your solidarity with a cause, or raising awareness for any diseases.
Jim Large just wants to ride.
The 57-year-old Moose Javian is riding across the country - for fun - but he still chuckles at how many people question his motives.
"Virtually everyone who has heard that I'm doing this has asked me, 'So, are you fundraising for something?'" he says.
Large is making the trek from Victoria to St. John's in 72 days this summer with a tour company, rather than doing it solo.
"I couldn't bring myself to sleep in the ditch," he says with a laugh. "It's something that I've wanted to do for a long time and I don't have a lot of years left where it would be viable, so I'm going to do it."
The exact route and itinerary are kept largely secret from the participants by the company in an effort to prevent people from staging fundraisers on their tours. But of the 72 days, 60 are spent riding and 12 are rest days.
"I hope to get all the way across," quips Large, who has been racing bicycles seriously for four years.
The tour actually begins in Vancouver, but it includes an option for an early-bird trip to Victoria, which is technically Mile 0 of the Trans-Canada Highway. Large says it's worth doing the trip of a lifetime right.
"People with my type of personality could never say they rode across the country if they didn't start at zero."
From there, parts of the tour will follow the highway, but Large has heard that previous tours took various routes through the western provinces.
"They look for (routes) that afford us a scenic journey and an opportunity to see the country," he says, adding that he's not sure if the tour will go through Moose Jaw or not.
The distance covered on riding days is 125 km on average, but there's no need to rush to the next camp. Large says he's in good shape from racing, but it's not speed he'll need on the trip.
"It does require a certain amount of fitness, but mostly stamina," he says. Large has been training on the Trans-Canada Highway in anticipation of the trip and isn't too worried about keeping up. In fact, the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta don't concern him as much as the terrain east of the prairies.
"I understand the Ontario riding is very difficult because it's steeper grades," says Large. "Not as long as the Rockies, but much steeper grades."
Taylor Lambert can be reached at 691-1260
Large prepares for cross-Canada ride
Large prepares for cross-Canada ride
- Published on May 27th, 2009
- Published on July 10th, 2009
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Staff ~ The Moose Jaw Times Herald
Moose Jaw cyclist to join 72-day tour of country
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Comments
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- Joe
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:44:05
Way to go Jim!!!
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- Bob
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:59:05
Big brother Jim and I have done a few cycling trips together, mostly in the Rockies. I fondly remember our first trip, which included Jim's lovely wife, years ago from our home in Czar, AB to Weyburn, SK. We had cheap ten speeds with cheap backpacks full of cheap gear strapped on the top of cheap racks. It was sweltering hot and we slept in the ditch near Luseland the first night. In one small town we helped a lady remove a live bat from a building, that she had trapped under a garbage can. Our last day we cruised from Buffalo Pound Prov. Park to Weyburn, over a 100 miles. The wind god was with us. That was our introduction to cycle touring. Travelling by bicycle can only be appreciated by experiencing it yourself. You appreciate those days the wind is behind you because it very rarely happens. On one tour my wife and I found we could eat as much as we wanted. One day on our trip in New Zealand, we finished off a whole frozen cheesecake. You not only get to see things more clearly, you get to smell them, too. You learn to take people's comments on the size of the hills on the road you are about to travel, with skepticism because in a car those hills don't feel nearly as steep. The best part of any trip is the people you meet. Everyone thinks you have to be crazy to be riding so they are always curious and talkative and welcoming and usually supportive. Hey, I'd love to be out there with you big brother. Enjoy every mile.
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- carol
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:57:44
Good for you Jim to grasp this opportunity & experience your dream! You are always an inspiration to family & friends. For sure, there will be many cheering you all the way.....and so proud of your accomplishment in having not only lived your dream but sharing your experiences so other's have had the chance to ride out their dreams!
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- Aric
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:20:52
I think this is an excellent idea, and would suit Jim perfectly! I think he'll have a blast and see the country from a different point of view. Good job Jim!
PS: Team D is taking you down in the Dusty Moose -
- Amy
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:11:05
Congrats Jim, I can't wait to hear about all the fun you're going to have! You're such an inspiration to so many people...have a safe, great ride!
PS - look out for my teammates at the Dusty Moose, I wouldn't put anything past those two! -
- Yvette
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:10:56
You are an inspiration!!!! Enjoy every second. We look forward to your stories.
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- Darrell
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:06:46
Yes, indeed, way to go, Jim! Doing it for all the right reasons, too! You do it for the fun and to see the country, so make sure you always look for what makes the trip enjoyable and take time to stop and sip the coffee! It's all well and good to raise money for a cause, but why does everybody choose cycling? It's no super-human feat to cycle across the country. Heck, there are 70-year-olds doing it. Making it sound harder than it actually is - rushing off unprepared so that you can get people to give you money - only scares others from trying it. The hardest part is finding the time to do it all at once, although there are a lot of people who make the trip in two or three week segments spread over 10 years or more.
