Cyclists stop in P.E.I.

Cross country trek that raises awareness about painful Lyme disease stops in Charlottetown.

Clearly, Daniel Corso has both the physical preparation and the emotional drive to bike across Canada.

Corso and fellow elite rower, Tanner Cookson, were already in top shape before they began bicycle training for their coast-tocoast ride.

From January to April, the pair cycled 300 to 400 kilometres a week to ready for the big trip.

The trek got underway on May 11 in Victoria, B.C.

Corso was fueled by a longtime desire to cycle across the country, but even more so with a strong desire to raise funds and awareness for Lyme disease.

Corso’s close, long-time friend, Adelaine Nohara, has been sick for the past five years with this inflammatory infection that spreads to humans through tick bites.

“I’ve always wanted to do something for her and it has always been her wish that any suffering that she goes through is for a reason and there is supposed to be good to come of it,’’ said Corso.

“Hopefully we can educate people...and really prevent a lot of cases from happening.’’

Corso and Tanner cycled from Borden-Carleton to Wood Island Monday, covering the roughly 120 kilometre P.E.I. leg of their ride in just over four hours.

The cyclists have covered close to 7,000 kilometres in a planned 8,300-kilometre trip scheduled to conclude on July 8 in Newfoundland.

“We’ve really had a smooth ride in terms of the route that we take,’’ said Corso.

“We’re starting to smell the finish line.’’

He says the pair of cyclists has met many generous people along their trek, including Islanders serving up lobster, oysters and mussels.

Corso and Tanner have been burning up to 6,000 calories a day on a mission dubbed the Adelaine Project. “We eat a lot,’’ notes Corse. “We try to eat the right things.’’ Corso concedes the fundraising goal of $100,000 is lofty - just under $20,000 has been raised to date - with proceeds going to the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation.

He stresses, however, the main mission of the cross-country cycle is to raise awareness about Lyme disease.

BRIAN MCINNIS/THE GUARDIAN Tanner Cookson, left and Daniel Corso, have been cycling across Canada to draw attention to the dangers of Lyme disease. They made a stop in Charlottetown recently on their way to St. John’s, N.L., and the end of their journey that began in Victoria,...