Two Ontario men began a 40,000-kilometre motorcycle journey Saturday, setting off from Toronto’s CN tower through a human-tunnel of outstretched volunteer arms – and en route to 18 different Pan-American countries.
Kevin Milne and Wayne Wilton, of Kitchener, Ont., are travelling through the Americas as part of TO2015 IGNITE, a program set up to promote the spirit of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
The men plan to visit 18 Canadian consulates and embassies before ending their travels on May 10 in Ushuaia, Argentina.
“The fact that we can showcase Canada, and how warm the hearts are – if not the climate at the moment – I think is an extraordinary opportunity for all of us in Toronto and all of Canada,” said Milne.
“We’ll try to touch as many people as we can, we are proud Canadians and we want to show the flag,” added Wilton.
They officially launched their trip Saturday morning in downtown Toronto, where they were joined by the Toronto 2015 mascot, Pachi, and Pan Am volunteers waving flags from around the Americas.
Toronto 2015 spokesperson Fulvio Martinez said supporters lent warmth to the occasion, despite frigid winter temperatures.
The planned trip will take Milne and Wilton across the U.S. to California, then down through Mexico. From there they will head through Central America, to Colombia, and then onto the rest of South America. They will also stop in Lima, Peru, the host of the 2019 Pan Am Games.
Along the way, Milne and Wilton plan to meet with communities, indigenous groups, and local athletes to promote the games. The will also take photos, film, and blog about the experience, Martinez said.
The Pan Am Games are the world’s third-largest international multi-sport games. They are held every four years and have 41 participating member nations throughout the Americas.
“We are bridging that distance through (Milne and Wilton),” Martinez said. “They are adventurous, and they are connected with this idea that we are all one through the Games, that through sports and culture we can come together.”
The long-distance motorcycle journey is “a lifelong dream” for the two men, who are both grandfathers, Martinez said.
The trip is one of some 600 initiatives IGNITE has supported leading up to the Pan Am Games, which will take place from July 10 to 26. The Parapan Am games are scheduled for Aug. 7 to 15.
IGNITE is accepting applications until March 1 from people and organizations who want to launch their own Games-themed projects. And Martinez said applicants don’t need to worry about committing to a 40,000-kilometre motorcycle ride. The organization is encouraging any initiatives that support sport or culture from the Americas — from youth soccer leagues to salsa lessons — to apply.