Windsor riders on a trans-Canada mission to raise awareness of Huntington disease near their destination

Earlier this year, Canadian Cycling Magazine announced the story of two friends from Windsor, Ont., Marty Denonville and Jim Stewart, who had ambitious plans to take the cause of Huntington disease to the open road. With the goal of raising awareness, Denonville and Stewart were to embark this May on a trans-Canada journey, riding from Vancouver to St. John’s. N.L.

On May 14, the pair’s rubber hit the road in Vancouver, right on schedule. By the end of this month, July 31, they plan to roll to the end of their journey in St. John’s. This week, they’ll arrive in Nova Scotia with a stop planned in Pictou.

New Glasgow’s The News in Nova Scotia reported on their story as it’s unfolded so far.

As Canadian Cycling Magazine reported in January of this year, the ride’s origins stemmed from the moment that Denonville learned about the impact of Huntington disease on his own family—specifically, the three children of his sister-in-law, all middle-aged. “One of them started exhibiting symptoms of the disease and the other two were tested and diagnosed as well,” Denonville said in a release, as reported by The News. “It’s a brutal disease and has a devastating effect, not just on those who have had the disease, but on their families as well.”

“It’s just not fair,” Denonville added.

Even before their ride reaches Nova Scotia, the ride by the two Windsor, Ont., friends has been a storied one. On June 30, according to a blog post, the ride—to date—had covered 4,916 km, with the two riders’ total time in the saddle amounting to 259 hours and 44 minutes. Through six provinces, their wheels ascended a grand total of 27,430 m of elevation gain before stopping briefly in Huntsville, Ont., to take a break to spend time with family and friends, take in the scenery, and of course, take a well-deserved dip in one of the area’s many lakes.

As Bev Heim-Myers, CEO of the Hungtington Society of Canada, told The News, the impact of their journey will be a lasting one long after their wheels come to a final stop on the East Coast.

“Volunteer dedication and support are the fabric of the Huntington Society,” Heim-Myers told the publication. “Volunteers like Marty and Jim, who go above and beyond, help us grow, achieve impactful results and reach our goals. We are incredibly fortunate for volunteers like Marty and Jim and the thousands of volunteers who stand beside us and make us the best that we can be.”

Further information on the duo’s trans-Canada ride can be found via their Facebook page.