Chris Aubichon as he makes his way across the Praries on July 24. He'll finish his journey at Nanaimo's Bowen Park on Friday, Aug. 11 around 5 p.m. (nothingfancy_justpedal on Instagram)

By Jordan Davidson

pedal past adversity

‘There is greatness in all of us:’ former ward of the court wrapping nationwide bike ride in Nanaimo

Aug 11, 2023 | 5:23 AM

NANAIMO — A former local man, raised as a ward of the court, has biked across almost all of Canada in a journey of self-discovery, mental and physical health, and working towards a better future.

Forty-four-year-old Chris Aubichon was raised in Nanaimo and was in government care from ages of six to 18. Once he became a legal adult he said he “was shown the street”, which was followed by a 20-year journey of addiction, incarceration, homelessness and mental health issues.

Now living in Nova Scotia, Aubichon heard the B.C. Government was providing access to post-secondary education for former youth in care, and he decided wanted to take advantage of it and turn his life around.

“I’ve been living out [east] and really struggling with depression and bipolar, but I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity with education, I wanted better for myself. My biggest fear was kind of dying on the system. Being raised on the system and then dying on it.”

However, at 6’5″, 325 pounds and struggling with his mental health, Aubichon knew he had to first make some adjustments.

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So on May 11, he decided to “fast track” his success, his health, and his recovery by jumping on a pedal bike with zero experience and very little preparation, to make the more than 6,000 kilometre cross-country journey back to Nanaimo.

“It truly was the best decision I have ever made. I have come leaps and bounds, I’ve lost 50 pounds but more importantly, my mental health has never been stronger. I am sharp, the fogginess is gone, the dark days are few and far between.”

His journey has garnered nationwide attention as Aubichon fulfilled a promise to his sister by sharing the highs and lows on his social media.

(nothingfancy_justpedal on Instagram)

But when he first started his journey, he did so without telling his family, including his two daughters.

“There’s a stigma around men and emotional men, and mental health in men, so I left very quietly. I was always embarrassed about my mental health and my struggles, so I didn’t tell anybody that I left and it wasn’t until a few days later when I messaged my sister and told her what I was doing.”

Aubichon told NanaimoNewsNOW the start of his trip was “really dark emotionally”, as he was still battling depression while also having little experience riding a bike for long periods of time.

“Those first few days, probably ten days, I was lucky to make it 15 to 20 kilometres in a day, and that was eight to ten hours of pedalling. I would pedal 15 to 20 seconds at a time and I would have to stop because my legs were cramping up.”

But each day got better, eventually reaching upwards of 120 kilometres a day.

While he acknowledges the physical challenges were intense, especially riding all day in 30 degree weather, Aubichon said his mental health was improving in tune with his physical strength.

“You just spend days and days and hours upon hours with nothing but your thoughts, and that’s something I didn’t really account for getting into this. I didn’t realize how much healing you could do by just being alone with your thoughts.”

His journey back to the Harbour City hasn’t been without hiccups.

A quick stop at a Winnipeg Tim Hortons saw Aubichon have his bike and most of his gear stolen. It was a short-lived speed bump with supporters and locals donating to help get him back on the road.

Aubichon’s bike and most of his gear were stolen in Winnipeg when he made a stop for coffee. The community rallied behind him, and within a week he was back on the road with a new bike. (nothingfancy_justpedal on Instagram)

He’s been riding solo the entire time, but said he’s “not lonely, just alone” as he sets daily goals to help break up the monotony of riding at least eight hours per day.

Aubichon plans to be in Nanaimo on Friday, Aug. 11 around 5 p.m., with a celebration planned for his arrival at Bowen Park.

He said he wants to work towards legislative change to make government-funded education for wards of the court standard across the country, as well as increased access to mental health and addiction support.

“I don’t believe in a blank cheque, I believe in accountability, but when those wards are ready, I think the government should be there to support them. I think there is greatness in all of us.”

He also plans to continue his work showing how riding a bike can have major mental and physical health benefits.

“I’m going to invite people that are struggling with their own adversity to come down and we’re going to pedal through their adversity. It took me ten years to get off that couch, I’m not ready for one yet…[but] I am ready to get off the bike.”

Post-ride, Aubichon’s immediate plans include spending time with his children and reflecting on the ride.

For more information on Aubichon’s journey, you can follow him on Instagram.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow