The following press release was written by The Veterans’ Signature Bike Build and Cross Country Ride. The PEI MFRC is proud to support this cause.
The Veterans’ Signature Bike Build and Cross Canada Ride project premiered its signature motorcycle, designed and built by David Paradis and Wildside Motorcycles at the Toronto International Motorcycle Supershow, 2-4 Jan 2015. David Paradis is a retired Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer.
The Veterans’ Signature Bike Build was not only David’s opportunity to fabricate a “one-of” motorcycle; this provided him with the means by which he could bring to life his vision of crossing Canada on motorcycle, actively promoting public awareness of and support for ill and injured veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces. Donations will be sought throughout the ride and monies raised will be presented to the Soldier On Fund, an organization that provides financial aid to ill and injured Canadian veterans.
Source: Veterans Signature Bike Build & Cross Canada Ride Facebook Page
The cross-country ride is expected to begin on July 18th, 2015 from Signal Hill, St. John’s, Newfoundland and will cover approximately 500 km a day.
Throughout this journey, numerous veterans will be afforded the opportunity ride and then sign the motorcycle. As is, this bike was built not only for David to ride but also for those that wish to share in his adventure as well.
On completion of this journey, those parts of the motorcycle displaying veteran signatures will be treated to preserve these signatures forever. Throughout the ride, David will travel through and visit numerous communities and military bases. His intention would be to arrive in British Columbia by 06 August 2015. The bike will then be transported back to Sudbury where the final legs on 11 August 2015 back to Toronto will take place, ending at the Wildside Motorcycle Shop where this dream first began.
Albeit the event will be promoting awareness for ill and injured veterans, this event has a much more profound meaning for its creator, David Paradis. David himself was diagnosed with PTSD in 2010 and medically released from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2013 after 32 years of service.
Throughout the time spent building this motorcycle, Dave Svrtan owner of Wildside Motorcycles provided personal mentorship and coaching to David on the fine art of custom design building, and in turn supported him on his journey to recovery. “Without Dave and the guys at Wildside my dream could never have been realized in the condition I was in. We talked ourselves into building a bike from many and varied, old forgotten parts left to collect dust on dark hidden shelves. Whatever parts were not available were fabricated to make it all fit together,” said David Paradis as he described the beginning of the journey to build this motorcycle and create this fundraising event.
Source: Veterans Signature Bike Build & Cross Canada Ride Facebook Page
Dave Svrtan from Wildside Motorcycles expressed his personal experience with and contribution to this project with the following words, “Knowing that the time and energy I spent working on this project will help our Canadian veterans, is truly rewarding!”