Follow Ramesh's Journey

You know, when cows huddle together in fields to protect themselves from the weather, it’s not a good sign for cyclists.

Of the over 1550 km hand cycled thus far, today was the most challenging day yet. I felt like I was climbing a mountain in the rain for nearly six hours in my lowest gear. Headwinds averaged 40 - 50 km/hr. The rain came down so hard that it felt as though each cold drop pierced my face. I was sore, fatigued, chilled, and in need of many breaks today.

It would have been easier to just take another non-cycle day today, but we have a schedule and I intend to keep it. 3.4 million Canadians aren’t vaccinated from polio, and many people believe it’s been beaten.

There is no quitting now.

If I quit, then many Canadians won’t learn that 3.4 million people here aren’t vaccinated against a preventable disease. If I quit, many Canadians won’t learn that 10 million children will be paralyzed over the next 40 years if we choose to give up the fight against polio. If I quit, Canadians won’t learn that there are millions of polio survivors in the world who drag themselves through the dirt and pad their paralyzed legs with cut up pieces of car tires strapped to their knees.

I have been so fortunate to grow up in Canada with access to leg braces, crutches, and proper medical care. My life could have been very different.  I’m on this hand-cycle in all types of weather to share the story of polio and to extend Cycle to Walk’s invitation to all Canadians. Please join us today!