Fiftysomething cyclist rode through pain for his cause
by Carla Wilson
Times-Colonist, June 9, 1996 p.1.

VICTORIA, B.C. -- Ken Bonner rode his bicycle 674.2 km, endured muscle pains, coped with soggy weather and passed the same dead cat 12 times to challenge the world record for the distance cycled over 24 hours. His trip over Saturday and Sunday didn't break the record, but the 54-year-old randonneur cyclist did manage a personal best time for his trip up and down the Pat Bay Highway. Lying face down, having a massage at the end of his trip, Bonner said it was an achievement just getting through the night. "It was very depressing. It was cold and a bit wet. I just wanted to sit and not carry on," he said. His support team following behind him kept him going, he said. Bonner, who holds the record for the fastest time cycling from Vancouver to Calgary, usually takes long trips from one place to another. Riding back and forth over the same stretch of road took some discipline. "I was saying 'Now I'm going up to Nanaimo. Now I'm up to Campbell River, and then I just got cold.'" said Bonner. The long ride took a toll on his body. He had "absolutely excruciating" pain from the soles of his feet, as well as pains in his leg muscles. His mouth dried out. And the exertion makes it difficult for him to sleep for more than 90 minutes at a time for two or three days afterwards. "Most of it's trying to overcome pain and discomfort," said Bonner. "If one had any sense you wouldn't even do it." So why does he do it? "I think I like to chase rainbows," said Bonner. Later this month, Bonner will make a1000-km trip up the island to Port Hardy and back.