By Sara Ericsson

As a place of higher learning, Acadia University is respected for producing professional and successful individuals. As a community, it also produces driven and creative people who relish innovation.

Second-year Acadia student Rian Mizzi is a fusion of these traits. He embarked recently upon a cycling trip that began in his home of Burlington, Ontario and ended at Acadia. Crossing an impressive four provinces along the Trans-Canada Trail, Mizzi completed the trip in 19 days, from Aug. 8-27.

He thought of the trip over a year ago, but wasn’t sure it was possible. As a former competitive cyclist, his wasn’t concerned about the level of athleticism required, but how to arrange and organize food and lodging.

After careful consideration and planning, Mizzi decided to make a go of it. As an Environmental Science student, this trip was both financially and environmentally efficient. He also believed that the experience would be extremely rewarding and offer a new perspective on Canada. “I wanted to get to know my own backyard,” he says.

Acadia Earth and Environmental Science professor Dr. Ian Spooner, who taught Mizzi in first year, was extremely supportive. After Mizzi contacted him and pitched his idea, Spooner donated an Acadia bike jersey to wear while riding. “Rian Mizzi is an excellent young man,” Spooner says, “and I was so happy to have him representing Acadia on the road.”

As he planned his trip, Mizzi wanted to make it as cost-effective as possible. He used the website warmshowers.org, an international hospitality exchange site for touring cyclists, and received an outpouring of offers from people.

“The support I got along the way was unreal,” he says. Several Acadia alumni also reached out to him, offering their homes as rest spots. It was difficult for Mizzi to coordinate staying with people due to time constraints, but the support of the Acadia community was felt constantly.

Fully supportive

When he told his parents, Paul and Arlene, of his decision to make the trip, his father was fully supportive, even helping him make modifications to his bike. His mother was also supportive but concerned, and assured herself of his safety by keeping up with Rian along the way, calling ahead to cafes and hotels.

Equipped with a modified Trek X01 road bike, a Hennessy hammock and other miscellaneous items, Mizzi set off, garnering a lot of attention during the trip. Cars would honk their horns as they drove by, encouraging and supporting him as he cycled.

He was also joined by cyclists in towns such as St. Michel, Yamaska and Woodstock, and he says the experience was enhanced by the people he met along the way.

Despite the trip’s success, however, there were challenges. In Quebec, Mizzi says it was difficult to find food due to his vegan diet. “There was a restaurant I found with vegan muffins, and I bought all they had.” After the owner learned he was vegan, she baked an entire batch and gave them to him.

Mizzi also ran into bike troubles, but successfully repaired the issues. The main challenge was keeping comfortable while seated on a hard bike cushion for many hours.

The ending, he notes, was bittersweet. Though tired and happy to take a rest, he says he will look back fondly on his experience and there are many things to treasure. While visiting his cousin in Montreal, the subject of novelty and its importance was mentioned. Looking back, Mizzi says he continues to reflect on the many new people and places he experienced on his journey, and “I don't think anything can or will replace those novelties.”