Endurance athletes often have steep hills to climb, particularly if they attempt a cross-Canada trek. For ultra-cyclist Vincent Nadon, hills are not his only obstacle.

On Wednesday, Nadon will set off from Victoria International Airport on a month-long, 5,600 km ride across Canada to raise money and awareness for CrohnB次元官网网址檚 disease, an illness which he also lives with.

Nadon defines ultra-cycling as any trip at least 250 km in length done in under 24 hours. He learned of the sport through his friends he met in Belgium, and when he saw the photos he wanted to be one himself. To date, the longest ride heB次元官网网址檚 done is the Ultra Challenge in Quebec, which was 1,060 kilometres over three days. He says he slept only three or four hours for the entire duration of the race.

At first, the cross-country ride was because his friends gave him a challenge.

B次元官网网址淚 was living in Belgium for two years, and cycling culture is a huge thing,B次元官网网址� said Nadon. B次元官网网址淢y friends were like, B次元官网网址淥nce you go back, you have to cross your own country!B次元官网网址�

While in Belgium, Nadon was also diagnosed with CrohnB次元官网网址檚 disease. He saw blood in his stool, which Nadon said was the first sign something was wrong. He felt more and more pain, and was diagnosed with CrohnB次元官网网址檚 at 26 (he is 30 now).

CrohnB次元官网网址檚 is an autoimmune disease that affects the intestines. The main symptoms are cramps and bleeding, but people with the disease cannot absorb nutrients normally, which in NadonB次元官网网址檚 case affects his athletic performance and recovery time. It also can result in urgent bathroom trips, and increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

Nadon said there are many misconceptions about CrohnB次元官网网址檚 disease. He says because it is mostly invisible, people can underestimate its effects.

B次元官网网址淢any people think itB次元官网网址檚 associated with a bad diet, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not the case,B次元官网网址� he said.

He said people have suggested his symptoms are due to a gluten or a lactose allergy, and he has to correct them.

The treatment can also be expensive. Nadon had been living without symptoms for two and a half years after a lot of trial and error in his treatment to find something his body responded to. But last September, his symptoms returned. Nadon recently switched to a new, intravenous treatment that lasts two months but cost $8,000 for the first dose and $4,800 for each subsequent dose. He says he is very lucky the manufacturer agreed to provide it without charge, because his Quebec provincial health plan does not cover it.

B次元官网网址淐an you imagine if someone with the disease is not covered? Within a year, this person could go easily bankrupt,B次元官网网址� said Nadon.

B次元官网网址淥nce you find the right medication and it starts working, youB次元官网网址檙e like, B次元官网网址榦kay, this is how I should feel!B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he said.

His Victoria to Montreal route is not the most direct. It has many hills, but also many beautiful vistas. HeB次元官网网址檚 included places heB次元官网网址檚 always wanted to visit, like Drumheller and Lake Louise. He is traveling solo, and taking camping gear and water with him. He says it is partly for training, and partly a vacation, in addition to a fundraising opportunity.

B次元官网网址淚 planned it around the nice routes, not just filling the void between Victoria and Montreal.B次元官网网址�

To follow him on his journey, follow his Facebook page at facebook.com/ACrohns.VNadon.

The route

Day 1 (June 27): Victoria Airport - Renfrew Harbor 145 km (1700 m elevation gain)

Day 2 (June 28): Port Renfrew - Nanaimo 162 km (2700 m)

Day 3 (June 29): Nanaimo / West Vancouver - Agassiz 194 km (2000 m)

Day 4 (June 30): Agassiz - Princeton 180 km (2900 m)

Day 5 (July 1): Princeton - Greenwood 200 km (2100 m)

Day 6 (July 2): Greenwood - Castlegar 136 km (1800 m)

Day 7 (July 3): Castlegar - Creston 170 km (2200 m)

Day 8 (July 4): Creston - Lardeau 154 km (2076 m)

Day 9 (July 5): Lardeau - Revelstoke 166 km (1837 m)

Day 10 (July 6): Revelstoke - Donald 173 km (3079 m)

Day 11 (July 7): Donald- Banff 181 km (2400 m)

Day 12 (July 8): Banff Rest Day

Day 13 (July 9): Banff - Airdrie 150 km (870 m)

Day 14 (July 10): Airdrie - Drumheller 105 km (293 m)

Day 15 (July 11): Drumheller - Kindersley 282 km (296 m)

Day 16 (July 12): Kindersley - Saskatoon 200 km (163 m)

Day 17 (July 13): Saskatoon Rest Day

Day 18 (July 14): Saskatoon - Yorkton 313 km (317 m)

Day 19 (July 15): Yorkton - Minnedosa 235 km (444 m)

Day 20 (July 16): Minnedosa - Winnipeg 220 km (138 m)

Day 21 (July 17): Winnipeg Rest Day

Day 22 (July 18): Winnipeg - Kenora 220 km (497 m)

Day 23 (July 19): Kenora - Ignace 250 km (1330 m)

Day 24 (July 20): Ignace - Thunderbay 250 km (996 m)

Day 25 (July 21): Thunderbay Rest Day

Day 26 (July 22): Thunderbay - Longlac 300 km (1440 m)

Day 27 (July 23): Longlac - Kapuskasing 307 km (660 m)

Day 28 (July 24): Kapuskasing - Virginiatown / Larder Lake 309 km (1107 m)

Day 29 (July 25): Virginiatown / Larder Lake - Val DB次元官网网址橭r 155 km (611 m)

Day 30 (July 26): Val DB次元官网网址橭r - Mont Laurier 290 km (1900 m)

Day 31 (July 27): Mont Laurier - Montreal 262 km (1146 m)