Frans Jonker at Mile '0' TransCanada Hwy.
Frans Jonker had one goal in mind when he climbed back on his old mountain bike in 2007: to pedal back to some degree of fitness.
His weight had climbed past 300 pounds and he was despondent.
“I had been procrastinating for many, many years in that vegetative state and I was sick of myself; sick of looking like that, sick of getting off the couch and walking to the fridge and being out of breath by the time I got there.”
Growing up in the Netherlands, cycling had always been a passion. Like many European children, Jonker’s heroes were stars of the Tour de France peloton. As a teenager in Canada, he commuted by bike to his job at Victoria’s Butchart Gardens.
The bicycle seemed a natural ally on his road back to health and self-respect.
“The first six months was hell,” Jonker admits. But he set small, attainable goals.
“Twenty, thirty, forty kilometres. Eventually I got to the hundred K mark and found myself 80 pounds lighter.”
Four years after that resolution, at 43, Jonker has set himself a new challenge: a four day, 500 kilometre “end to end” traverse of Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Port Hardy.
Here’s where the power of Internet social networking comes in. After announcing his intention online, Twitter followers encouraged him to turn his trip into a fundraiser. What began as “another marker on the horizon” turned into the greater ideal of raising funds for cancer research. One of those supportive “tweeps” Janis La Couvée, has assumed the role of PR Manager for The Road to Port Hardy ride.
Jonker didn’t have to think long about the cause he would take up. He has lost three family friends to cancer recently and his godmother is presently fighting ovarian cancer.
“At first, I was scared that should I do this publicly and failed at it, I wouldn’t look so grand,” Jonker says, “but the more I thought about it, it became clear that any money raised is better than no money raised. I’m going to try my hardest.”
As the August 16 departure date approaches, he is concentrating on the training that will help assure success on the unsupported solo trek north, that includes more than 4,000 metres of elevation gain. In July he will ride 220 kilometres to Nanaimo and back, over two days.
It is important to Jonker that the funds he raises locally address local needs. The BC Cancer Foundation has backed the ride and pledges are building.
On a personal note, as a two time cancer survivor myself, I owe a debt of gratitude to all who raise funds and awareness of this epidemic that affects so many.
Jonker has taken his transformative journey and steered it toward a greater ride for life.
Update: Frans raised $10,000 for cancer research.
Latest Tweets
This is big.
I am proud that I am the direct cousin of Frans Jonker.
I too am regular on the bike to find. Even in a hill country where I currently live.
In the past when I went to school in the Netherlands, I always took the bike. Every day around 90 km. Both summer and winter.
Even now this ist the Jeugt in the Netherlands very normal. Very often we see during the morning large groups of children (10-20 people) on road bikes to school. I think this is a very good thing because this is a good way not to be overweighted.
I once again congratulate Frans for his major achievement.
Your cousin Bart.
Naumburg, Germany.
Comments on this entry are closed.