Cycle For Life: The Story of the 1991 Trans-Canada Record Attempt

By Bill Narasnek

The story of Bill Narasnek's record setting trans-Canada ride in 1991. The book describes how Bill and his support team overcame the many challenges and obstacles that confront any adventurer when attempting an endeavour of this magnitude. Bill tells the story in his own words with humour and honesty.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781456601881

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THE PLAN

When I first started cycling seriously I read avidly. One of the many interesting subjects, at the time, were the exploits of Lon Haldeman, and others, who were doing trans-continental record attempts across the United States. This reading planted the seed of my own interest as I consumed the intimate details of ultra-marathon cycling. I later watched accounts of similar attempts on television and marvelled at the magnitude of such endeavour.

It was years later that our cycling club was approached about a joint fund raising venture with a local organization. I had never thought of it before but, out of nowhere, came the idea of matching a sanctioned record attempt with a fundraising drive. Although the plan did not get off the ground on this occasion, I did, in the process, layout the details of how such a venture could be organized and executed. It was this very package which I brought to the Pelmorex broadcasting network in late summer, 1990, as a promotional proposal.

The people at Pelmorex, Vicki and Mike in particular, were quick to take to the idea. Since the Kidney Foundation was a cause already close to the people at Pelmorex, it did not take long to make the choice of a benefactor for our plan and Cycle for Life was born.

The Walden Kinsmen were approached, and joined our group, so that we might draw upon their expertise and manpower. It lent itself to a hometown flavour since Gwen Doyle, executive director of the local Kidney Foundation, and myself were both from Walden.

A committee was formed and the process put in place early in the fall of 1990. From my perspective the whole project would have a threefold purpose. 1. To set a new trans-Canada cycling record. 2. To promote cycling and our club, the Sudbury Cycling Club. 3. To raise awareness and funds for the Northeastern Ontario chapter of the Kidney Foundation.

For my present purpose of recounting the record attempt I will not analyze the many aspects and administrative details related to the committee work and fundraising efforts. It should go without saying that this, in itself, was a huge and time consuming effort requiring countless hours of work by dedicated volunteers, some of whom did double duty on the actual record attempt. The main thrust of the fundraising was done through a series of promotions leading up to the actual ride in July. There would be little time for myself or the crew to raise funds during the actual record attempt.

THE RECORD

What was, and often still is, misunderstood about the Trans-Canada record, by people not knowledgeable about the sport, is the formality of the attempt. In order to be fair, consistent, and legitimate, any record must have a defined structure. It is not simply a matter, of anyone who wishes, hopping on their bike and having a go!

The Trans-Canada cycling record comes under the sanctioning authority of the Canadian Cycling Association, the governing body for the sport of cycling in Canada.

Rules for record attempts incorporate regular bicycle racing rules along with special rules laid down specifically for that purpose. The most pertinent of these rules are that the record is to be attempted from the steps of city hall in Vancouver to the steps of city hall in Halifax and must follow roads solely in Canada for the entire distance. Support vehicles must remain at specified distances from the rider and no pacing or drafting of any kind is allowed. The event is timed and officiated by an official (commissary), who is licensed to do so.

The rider must have a racing license and pays a $100 sanctioning fee. Once a start date is approved the rider has an 8 day window from that date to start his or her attempt. It is, in essence, a 6000 kilometre time trial. The clock starts in Vancouver and does not stop until Halifax. Any breaks, rest, or sleep time is counted into the record.

At the time of our attempt the record was 13 days, 15 hours, 4 minutes and was held by Ron Dossenbach of Windsor, Ontario.

THE PREPARATION

THE TEAM

Many solo record attempts, in various disciplines, have failed not because of the participant’s failure, but because of a breakdown in the support crew. Selection of the support crew would be critical to success. A long list of skills and assignments would have to be accounted for and divided between members of the crew who would donate their time and expertise for the pleasure of working 18 hour days for 2 weeks.

In this instance, things could not have worked out better. Joe Bacon: I had never met Joe until the fall of 1990 when he was suggested as crew leader by Gwen Doyle. He was a kidney transplant patient and previously had served with the local Kidney Foundation. He also had experience in sports administration having been involved with event organization at Lockerby Composite where he taught.

Sceptical, until our first face to face meeting, it didn't take long to realize that Joe was the right man for the job. He took on the responsibility of team leader along with heading the project committee. Along with wife Lisa, he took complete charge of trip logistics, assigned work details, and did a lion’s share of driving the motor home and cooking.

In addition, Joe's quick wit and sense of humour were an asset to team morale.

Lisa Bacon: Lisa worked with Joe on trip logistics along with being an integral part of the project committee. Because of her experience, Lisa took care of finances before and during the trip and shared numerous en route duties including driving and keeping the motor home supplied.

Rick Malo: Rick was to be our media and public relations man. No question, he did a great job. He also had photographic credentials which filled another key role. Perhaps his biggest asset turned out to be his non-stop sense of humour. Poking, prodding, taunting, laughing all combined to ease the boredom and fatigue which can build up in such a long and intense effort for the whole crew. And, on top of it all, he chipped in on every dirty detail from driving, to cleaning, to shopping, and was constantly at my side, at every stop, trying to make life easier for me.

Shannon Wholberg: Shannon's skills fit the team perfectly. Her prime asset, a physiotherapist, proved to be crucial to success. In addition, Shannon researched and advised on nutrition and upgraded her first aid skills in preparation for any accidents which might befall our crew. As an accomplished cyclist, Shannon understood and could assist with technical aspects of the attempt. She did a major share of driving the support van. Her good sense of humour allowed her to stand up to being a prime target for Rick and Joe's jokes.

Jacques Bonin: Jacques is an experienced cyclist. He would assist Battista in daily equipment maintenance and do a major portion of driving the support van. Jacques was also the only crew member fluent in French which would be an asset in Quebec.

Fluent except for the French translation of the word laundromat which proved the source of some confusion in la belle Province. Jacques quiet nature and