Jordan Kozina initially just wanted to ride his bike across Canada, but as the time drew nearer to actually climb on his bike and head out, he decided it could happen for a greater purpose. 

“After a couple days of planning, I thought this is something people might want to get behind,” he said. 

So Kozina decided to follow in the tire tracks of many a biker before him, and raise funds as he crossed the thousands of miles between Tofino, B.C. and Cape Spear, N.L. His charity of choice is the MS Society of Canada, in honour of his aunt who passed away from the disease, and a friend who has recently been diagnosed. 

Kozina arrived in Jasper a few days before Canada Day and spent some time with friends while organizing fundraisers and planning his next trip down the highway.

Since he left Tofino on June 12, he said the best part has been meeting people along the way, and being welcomed into the homes of strangers to spend the night. When he isn’t able to organize a place to stay, Kozina has a tent with him just in case. He tries to be as self-sufficient as he can, but said the campsites can add up. Sometimes he will ask to camp in people’s yards instead of racking up campsite fees.

Kozina planned his route so he could hit MS Society offices across the country. He has used those connections to find places to stay as he goes along – and spend time with people battling the disease. Further on in his ride, he hopes that people with MS may join him on a ride. 

“I’m hoping that some of those people will ride with me,” he said. 

The timeline for the cross-country tour is three months, with a loose schedule that has allowed Kozina to be flexible and not be under pressure. He spent a few days extra in Jasper because a friend of his lives here, and took in the Canada Day celebrations and rode in the parade. 

“If I find a spot that I just absolutely love, I wanna hang out,” he said. 

As for the actual riding, Kozina had little training before hand – besides the fitness involved with being a Team Canada Rugby 7’s World Cup player and a McMaster University football team captain. He rides when he feels good, and stops when he needs it. He usually gets in about 100 to 150 kilometres a day on his road/touring bike. When leaving Jasper, Kozina planned a four-day trek to Calgary so that he could enjoy the scenery. 

As of his arrival in Jasper, Kozina had raised $10,000, with his ultimate goal set at $100,000. He was welcomed warmly in Jasper, and many businesses helped him organize staff fundraisers. When asked where the money goes, Kozina said every last cent goes to the cause. He is not using a single penny on his own expenses, and was shocked to discover that some fundraising trips do. 

“It surprises me, actually, that people are allowed to do that,” he said. 

As a rugby player, Kozina has had the chance to travel Canada quite a bit, but this way he gets to experience the character of each individual town. 

“You really get a feel for little towns along the way,” he said. “It’s just a really cool way to see the country.”

Kozina’s journey can be followed online at trek4MS.ca. All donations are processed through the MS Society, and a link is available on his website.