Lucknow man cycling across Canada to support Wingham Hospital
By: Liz Dadson
May 29, 2023
Jurjen Weerman (above) of Lucknow is cycling 8,700 kilometres, from Jordan River, British Columbia, to St. John’s, Newfoundland, to raise money for the Wingham and District Hospital.
The cross-country tour began Saturday (May 27) and is expected to take three months.
Cycling is a passion that Weerman reconnected with during the COVID-19 pandemic and he wanted to harness his personal project for the greater good. In speaking about his life and what led him to this incredible adventure, Weerman had this to say:
“I am 57 years old and was born in the Netherlands. After 12 years as an electrical mechanical engineer for the Royal Dutch Navy, I immigrated to Canada in 2001. I landed in Belgrave, Ontario, to work at Euro-Parts Canada where I have been for 21 years.
“In 2020, I picked up a long-forgotten hobby – cycling – and began preparing for this tour. Complications from COVID-19 made it challenging to get all the equipment needed for such a big journey. Once all the equipment was together, training began in earnest.
“To train, I have been cycling the 60-kilometre round trip from Lucknow to Belgrave most days and have gradually completed bigger and bigger challenges over the past few months, including 158-kilometre round trip from Lucknow to Seaforth; a two-day, 300-kilometre round trip ride to Guelph, and a five-day, 680-kilometre trip to Peterborough and back.
“I am excited to begin the cross-country tour May 27, along with my friends, Arthur and Rick, of Victoria, British Columbia. If all goes well, we will complete the 8,700-kilometre ride at St. John’s in August.
“The encouragement and support of all those who make a generous pledge to our local hospital will certainly motivate me along the way.
“Thank you so much for your support of my big adventure and our local hospital. I hope together we can do a lot of good.”
It is Weerman’s goal to raise at least $1/kilometre – $8,700 – for the Wingham Hospital. Anyone who wishes to support him and send him some encouragement, can visit WinghamandDistrictHospitalFou/jurjenride.html.
Weerman has his wife, Aletta, have two children and a grandson who will be cheering him along the way. They will be keeping tabs on his journey through his cycling website and YouTube channel. Those interested in following the adventure can do so at www.strava.com/athletes/82176554 and www.youtube.com/@jurjencyclingadventures
The proceeds from Weerman’s bike tour will go toward upgrading the chemistry analyzer for the lab at the Wingham Hospital. The hospital foundation is grateful to Weerman and everyone who supports him and the hospital.
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