Cycle For Life: The Story of the 1991 Trans-Canada Record Attempt

Prior to the record attempt, Bill spent a number of years as a recreational runner running many distance events and completing a number of marathons with a best time of just under 2:42. In the early 1980's, Bill made a gradual transition to cycling prompted by a few running injuries and his eldest sons' growing interest in the sport.
In 1983 and 1984 Bill won the title of Mr. Fit Sudbury based on a point system for the year long Sudbury Fitness Challenge. This was a series of six events including running, cycling, canoeing, swimming, cross-country skiing, and a multi-event race, the Beaton Classic. In 1985 Bill applied for his first amateur bicycle racing license in the veterans, (35+), category.
That summers' competition came to an abrupt halt in Owen Sound when Bill was involved in a crash at the Provincial Championships which left him with a broken rib, broken collar bone and a pound of flesh lighter. He recovered, despite what his wife says about the effects of landing on his head. The next few years Bill raced in Ontario with respectable results. In 1987, at the National Championships in St. John, New Brunswick, he placed third in the forty kilometre individual time trial and seventh in the road race. In 1989 he amazed himself by winning the provincial road race championship for veterans.
Throughout the years of running and riding Bill trained continuously, year round. For him it had become a lifestyle. He enjoyed the training as much as the racing. Bill now lives in Gore Bay with his wife June, getting much of his exercise walking his dogs Brodie and Lola -- and the occasional bike ride.