Meet the Man Who is Riding Across Canada to Raise Funds for MS Research

Dominic Shadbolt, a 55-year old man born in Vancouver now living in the United Kingdom, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) over thirty years ago, in 1993. As you can imagine, living with MS has impacted how Dominic lives his life in many ways but last August, during a conversation with his neurologist, Dominic decided he was going to do something drastic, something significant: he was going to cycle across Canada to raise money for MS research. His inspiring journey begins on May 1, 2025 in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Point Pleasant Park. 

HUB Cycling sat down with Dominic to learn more about his ride and how people can support his journey.

Why do you love cycling? How has it had a positive impact on your life?

“Why do I love it? That is impossible to answer. I just know that I do. Deeply and utterly. Human powered transport is incredibly efficient. Fun, and liberating. The positive impact has been manifold. From the social connections, social capital, positive mental health benefits of exercise and being outdoors to the very specific physiological benefits that exercise has on MS including remyelination, neuroplasticity, fatigue management as well as overall general health benefits.
 

What bike will you be riding across Canada?

“A modified ICE Sprint-X recumbent trike. A real speed machine. Note the Canadian panniers by Arkel.”
 

How long are you hoping the ride will take you?

“I am planning to take four months, with a schedule of riding 6 days on and 1 day off, covering approximately 80 km per day. I may be slightly faster or slower. As it is a monumental physical challenge the trick is to maintain the distance day in and day out. I may be able to easily knock off 150 km in one hit if I’m pushed but I need to set a sustainable daily pace.”

What part of Canada are you most excited to explore by bike and why?
"Jasper Parkway, heading out of Banff; it’s supposed to be absolutely stunning."

Can you tell us about what you're hoping to accomplish with this ride? How much are you hoping to fundraise for MS?

“I want to finish within the time frame. That is my personal goal. More broadly speaking, I want to help show other people with MS that it is not a life destroying disease from diagnosis and that one of the pillars of brain health that we can control is our fitness. I want to show by example the value of fitness and resilience.

The goal is $1 million. Yes, it’s ambitious but it’s also a drop in the ocean of what’s needed for people around the world who live with MS.

How can we support your ride?
“Donate and spread the word to your family and friends! Whether it is just $1 in the style of the Canadian hero, Terry Fox, or more if you can afford it. Anything helps! Please visit https://www.brainhealthcr.org/rc4ms-donatehere if you’d like to donate.
 

As I approach Vancouver, I’d also love to have people to join-up around Langley and ride with me into UBC where I end up. It reduces the need to stare at my Garmin and locals always know the best paths! I’m unsure exactly when I will be arriving, but you can follow along my ride at www.rc4ms.org and reach out to Lisa if you’re interested in joining me for the final leg."

Amazing! We wish you all the best on your epic and inspiring ride of a lifetime.