Tour of a lifetime

Instead, the Orléans resident is planning a tour of his native country, all powered by his two legs. Starting in June, Senior will participate in a 12-day bicycle trip from Vancouver, B.C. to Halifax, N.S. as part of the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, which raises funds and awareness for children's cancer charities across Canada.

Senior first heard about the trip while doing a tour with the Ottawa Bicycle Club in June. "I said, 'I just have to do this,'" he recounts, noting his mother previously passed away from the disease. "I didn't give it much cerebral thought until much later. As I started digging, I found I have aunts and uncles who passed away from it, and friends experiencing it now."

The ride will begin June 13 in Vancouver, B.C., says Senior, who has been cycling since 2005, winding down to Halifax, N.S. for June 24. Each rider will complete an average of 225 to 250 kilometres per day, he explains, meaning eight hours on the road and another four doing stops at hospitals and promotional events along the way.

But for Senior, who logs 230 kilometres a week on his bicycle commuting from Orléans to downtown each work day, the biggest challenge will likely be raising the money. "I'm looking forward to finally being on the bike and not doing fundraising anymore," he adds with a laugh, having doubled his personal fundraising goal from the $25,000 required of each rider. "The fundraising thing is a new challenge. I'm just not used to asking people for stuff."

One of his biggest fundraisers will be on April 4 at the Orléans Legion, Senior continues, where local rock band Jaded Way will entertain crowds and a silent auction will also help collect money for the ride. "We really, really could use stuff" for the auction and door prizes, he adds, explaining everyone who attends will receive some kind of gift.

Otherwise, Senior says, he will do weekly lunchtime rides at the Sparks Street Mall and try to secure personal sponsorships from friends and family in order to gather more than the $4,700 he's collected so far.

All donations go to the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation, he explains, and are directed into grants. Locally, that means CHEO's oncology program and Camp Trillium will be on the receiving end of funds, Senior adds.

The need for such a fundraiser is huge, he continues, citing figures that childhood cancer research receives a proportionally lower amount of money than others. "Children have the opportunity to have the rest of their lives right in front of them," Senior says. "I couldn't imagine if it was my child. If I can do something to give a kid the opportunity for long life, it would be really good." Jaded Way will perform at the Orléans Legion at 8 p.m. on April 4. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, please visit http://craigsenior.snkcr.com and www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com.