Baycrest

BrainMatters • Fall/Winter 2022 • 13 BRAINMATTERS: WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN BIKE FOR BRAIN HEALTH THIS YEAR? ED HARPER: "It boils down to the memory of my wife, Rosemary Elaine Harper, who I lost to dementia in 2013. She was a great partner for all our years together, and I was glad I was able to be her caregiver in her final stages. Being able to ride in Bike for Brain Health meant a lot to me. I've been a biker my whole life, so I trained to be able to complete the 75 km route. I felt pumped up after I finished. I'll be back, God-willing, for the 2023 event." LANRICK JR. BENNETT: "After a long battle with Parkinson's disease and dementia, my father, Lanrick Sr., passed away peacefully on April 20, 2022. Throughout my childhood, he would constantly get me out on bikes of all shapes and sizes. 'This is how you see the world,' he would tell me. Growing up in the suburbs of Mississauga, well before bike infrastructure was built, I would be out for hours… riding on my own and with friends everywhere. Fast forward to me having children. I've been active having them on bikes at an early age, just like my dad. I think I truly decided to participate in this first Bike for Brain Health to keep my dad's memory alive for all to see. He was truly a wonderful father and an amazing person. We miss him dearly. This is his ride." NATASHA MCDIARMID: "I participated in the Bike for Brain Health because it was a wonderful way to do something positive in honour of my mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 57." BRAINMATTERS: WHAT ARE YOUR BEST MEMORIES FROM RIDE DAY? ED: "Getting to ride with 5,000 other cyclists. I bought a new bike just for this event, so I trained with it because I knew the DVP had some [inclines]. But I did it! I got to meet a lot of other, younger riders and make some friends along the way. The day was just perfect." LANRICK JR.: "My 11-year-old, Jackson, joined me for this ride. The ride to Exhibition Place was smooth and quiet, but the closer we got to Lakeshore, the more cyclists we'd see with buttons and flags, all pointing to being a part of this special day. We followed a large peloton to the onramp of the Gardiner Expressway. I was side by side with Jackson. (continued)

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