Over the last couple of years, a group of primarily North Shore men has continued to take positive steps towards improving the personal health of its members.
Guided by two books (Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge's Younger Next Year, and Joel Fuhrman's Eat to Live), as well as through the support of one another and a shared love of cycling, group members are continuing to make positive strides. By eating better and exercising more, they've dropped a collective 140 pounds and are committed to instituting positive changes in their respective lives today to pave the way for a healthier tomorrow.
"We've all changed health-wise for sure. We've all lost a lot of weight, we're all a lot fitter and enjoying ourselves," says group member Keith Henderson. The 44-year-old West Vancouver resident and geologist is pleased to report he quit smoking as part of his adoption of a healthier lifestyle.
With higher fitness levels under their belts, the men decided to band together to inspire others as well as give back to a cause close to Henderson's heart: Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. Henderson has served as a board member with the organization since 2013 and the men viewed it as the perfect charity to support through their fundraiser, which is currently underway. On June 26, Henderson and fellow North Shore residents Ian McCall, Hugh McCall Sr., Hugh McCall Jr., Leigh Harris and John Thomas, along with Vancouver's Ian Braidek set off from the North Shore on their bicycles with a goal of making it to Calgary, Alta., in 13 days. Vancouver Island's Lucho Davidov was set to join for a portion of the journey. Group members range in age from 38 to 58, as well as occupation (for example, they count teachers, a lawyer, students and a business owner among their ranks).
Reached Friday morning, the men were well on their way to their destination and were fast approaching the B.C. and Alberta border. While on schedule, Henderson had one injury to report: McCall Sr. had unfortunately taken a tumble between Pemberton and Lillooet, coming off at high speed going downhill and landing in a ditch. While he broke his collarbone, he hadn't abandoned the quest, rather was happily riding shotgun in the team's support vehicle, being driven by his son, McCall Jr.
"They're getting some quality time together they didn't expect," says Henderson.
"It was kind of unfortunate, but the rest of us are good to go," he adds, with all remaining riders committed to completing the challenging trek: 1,375-kilometres in duration with 10,000 gruelling metres of elevation gain.
To make a donation to the group's campaign, aiming to raise $50,000, visit bit.ly/1eCGA07.
