LAC LA BICHE - On June 1, Simeon King, who has roots in the Lac La Biche area, will be setting out on an 81-day, 7,500-kilometre bike ride from Victoria, B.C. to St. John’s, N.L., to raise money to help those living with Type 1 Diabetes.
King, who lived in Lac La Biche until the age of age 15 and now resides in Sackville, N.B., was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at the age of 11.
Living with T1D has presented countless challenges for King since he was diagnosed as a child. Managing the condition, he explained, is a full-time job, one that requires constantly trying to balance his blood glucose levels. Every meal, every workout, every stressful moment, he said, requires careful monitoring and adjustment.
For him, that has meant countless finger pokes, wearing a continuous glucose monitor, administering insulin through injections or an insulin pod, and always planning ahead.
“There are no days off. Even small mistakes can have serious, sometimes life-threatening consequences - that’s the reality of living with Type 1 Diabetes,” he told Lakeland This Week.
As for what inspired him to get on a bike and cycle from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, King said the turning point came when he participated in a program run by the charity, I Challenge Diabetes. According to information from I Challenge Diabetes, the organization was founded by former Canadian Olympic rower and Type 1 diabetic, Chris Jarvis.
King said he has always dreamed of taking on an extreme physical challenge, not just one to test himself, but to show that Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t have to define or limit what is possible.
“Cycling across Canada became that challenge. It’s a way to symbolically connect our entire country, coast to coast, while uniting people living with T1D and showing that we are stronger together,” he stated.
Through his journey across Canada, King hopes to raise $100,000 for I Challenge Diabates. Every dollar raised will go directly to the organization to help cover participation costs for individuals who need financial support. These programs, he said, are life-changing, and empower, connect, and support people living with T1D.
“My goal is to remove that financial barrier so that anyone who needs access to these programs can get the support they deserve, regardless of their circumstances,” he said.
Preparing for a cycling journey across the country is no small task and is a challenge that demands just as much mental resilience as it does physical endurance.
He has been focusing heavily on getting his body in peak condition, which means regular weight training sessions and spending countless hours on the bike to build up the stamina he is going to need to keep going day after day, for nearly three months straight.
The ride will test him mentally, and he is preparing challenges such as inclement weather, steep climbs, and exhaustion. Therefore, a major part of his preparation has involved working on his mindset.
“I’ve been dedicating time to visualize those inevitable moments of struggle, and more importantly, how I’ll push through them. It’s all about keeping a strong purpose front and center - reminding myself why I’m doing this and who I’m doing it for,” he said.
Since this is a fully self-supported ride, King will be carrying all of the gear he needs with him as he cycles through the scenic landscapes of Canada.
This equipment includes his camping gear, cooking equipment, clothes, a first aid kit, emergency supplies, and his diabetes supplies. He will also have food, water purification tools such as filters and tablets, as well as spare bike parts.
Physically, King said, cycling 10 or more hours each day will push his body to its limits, and he is taking precautions.
“Managing my nutrition, insulin, and blood glucose levels as I burn thousands of calories daily adds another layer of complexity that’s unique to living with Type 1 Diabetes,” he said.
While King won’t be stopping in Lac La Biche as he heads east, he will be hosting an event in Calgary.
Anyone interested in donating can do so directly through his website www.cyclefortype1.ca
“Every bit of support helps me reach my goal and ensures that more people living with Type 1 Diabetes can access life-changing programs.”
King has still many connections to the Lac La Biche area, including family members and friends, who have been getting behind him as he prepares to cycle across Canada.
“I've been getting an overwhelming amount of support from friends and family leading up to this journey."
