Newark, N.Y. — The sixth “Ian’s Ride” made a stop in Newark on Friday.
Ian Mackay made a stop in Newark while traveling more than 370 miles along the Erie Canal trail.
Mackay became paralyzed from the neck down in 2008 after a biking accident during one of his daily bike rides.
In 2016, the Californian embarked on a wheelchair journey across Washington state, marking the inception of “Ian’s Ride.“
The nonprofit works to provide essential support and services to individuals and families in need.
“it just all of a sudden became a lot bigger than me,” said Mackay. “What I was doing for fun was really demonstrating what’s possible for a lot of people with disabilities.”
Mackay’s current trip started in New York City, then continued from Albany and will finish in Buffalo.
“Little did I know that that ride would lead to a nonprofit, countless hours of peer support, a Guinness World Record, and crossing over a half-dozen states in my wheelchair,” said Ian Mackay. “But this trip isn’t just about the miles. It’s about celebrating accessible outdoor recreation, encouraging policymakers to continue to invest in accessible trails, connecting and riding with other like-minded disabled folks and showing that adventures like this should be possible for everyone.”
The trip is expected to take ten days. Mackay said he welcomes community members to join him on the journey.
“Whether you use a wheelchair, ride a handcycle, pedal a bike, or simply enjoy spending time on the trail, I’d love for you to join us. Come ride a mile. Come ride twenty. Or just meet us afterward for dinner or a local brewery,” said Mackay. “One of the things I enjoy most about these adventures is meeting people along the way.”
You can follow Mackay’s travels online through his daily blog posts.