A Windsor man is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime for a worthy cause.
Don Martel will use Canada Day as the starting point for an ambitious, around-the-world bike tour, raising funds for research and dementia awareness. Martel will support his go-to organization, the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County.
Martel, 66, told WindsorNewsToday.ca that he is no stranger to long bicycle trips.
"I've cycled Canada west to east, and Tuktoyaktuk [on the Arctic Ocean] to Point Pelee three years ago, before COVID," said Martel.
He added that during the pandemic, he continued to support the group with 24-hour "bike-ins".
This will be the first time Martel will fundraise with a bike trip outside of North America, and while the entire trip hasn't been planned out, he has an idea of how he'd like to start.
"I'm going to leave from Detroit, to California, and then part of Mexico, and then do Australia, and head into Malaysia, Thailand, and all those," said Martel. "Eventually, I'll go through all the '-stan's, and end up in Portugal."
Martel will take to social media and allow supporters to track his progress. He also plans to bicycle with supporters in other countries, and meet with organizations abroad that help those with dementia and their care partners. He said he expects to complete the trip within two years.
Supporters are encouraged to see Martel off on his journey at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 1, at the base of the Great Canadian Flag in downtown Windsor.
To track Martel's progress and to donate, visit the Alzheimer Society's official website.