Blind man to bicycle across Canada

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PICTOU, Nova Scotia, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- A Nova Scotia man who went blind as a teenager said he is planning a bicycle trip across the country to raise money for charity.

Craig Aucoin of Pictou County, who was born with degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa, said he and friend Lloyd McLean will bike across the country to raise money for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the YMCA and Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Friday.

"I had always planned on a bike trip across Canada, and then I asked Craig if he'd be interested in doing it and he did so that's how it all began," McLean said.

The pair said they are preparing for their journey by "virtually" cycling across the country on a stationary tandem bike. They said they spend about 5 hours a day on the bike, covering about 90 to 100 miles per session.

The men said they plan to set off for their tour this summer.