In the MS community, the name Barry Travnicek has become synonymous with purpose – and for good reason. For the last 35 years, Barry has been a passionate advocate for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), driven by the memory of his late sister who passed away in 2018. With the support of his family, community, and a pair of sturdy clipless shoes, he’s raised more than $1.1 million and has no plans of getting off his bike anytime soon.
What is MS and MS Bike?
MS is a neurological disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibres. Myelin is needed to effectively send messages to and from the brain. Damage to the myelin can result in loss of nerve fibres and over time, these changes contribute to disease progression.
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, with an estimated 90,000 Canadians living with the disease. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day. Most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49 and the unpredictable effects of the disease will last for the rest of their lives.
Ontarians are biking to change that. MS Bike is a community of thousands of cyclists who are making a difference in the fight to end MS. With one and two-day bike tours ranging from 40 to 200km, MS Bike welcomes cyclists in Ontario to challenge themselves for a greater cause.
Exploring some of Ontario’s most scenic and epic cycling routes (Grand Bend to London, Ottawa to Cornwall), all you need is a bike, a helmet, and the resolve to keep pedalling! You can be a part of something big just like Barry by registering for MS Bike in Ontario today!
Sparking a Catalyst for Change
Barry’s journey began in 1991 when his sister Lynne was diagnosed with MS. He didn’t know it at the time, but her diagnosis would serve as the catalyst for a renewed purpose in his life. Fueled by his belief that every action – no matter how big or small – makes a difference, Barry was determined to set his sights high and raise as much money as possible for a disease that little was known about in the 1990s.
“When my sister was diagnosed 35 years ago, they told her to go home and rest. They had no treatments or real advice for her back then, but I wasn’t going to give up hope,” says Barry.
Within two years of her diagnosis, Lynne was using a wheelchair, and Barry was busy figuring out ways he could support his sister in her MS journey. From organizing annual scrap metal drives to volunteering his time to run an entire baseball league, Barry takes pride in the creative ways he’s fundraised for the MS community over the years, even if some ways are more challenging than others.
Every year since 1991, Barry’s participated in MS Bike, where he’s cycled thousands of kilometers, and burned thousands of calories, to raise money for the MS community. His first year riding he raised $750, a number that impressed his sister even back then. This past year, he raised a staggering $68,321.
“When I started, I hadn’t been on a bike since I got my first car, so those first couple of years were painful at times, to say the least,” he said. “But at the end of the day, riding that far on a bicycle, whether you’re used to it or not, is a lot easier than living with the disease we’re trying to cure.”
Harnessing the Power of Community
One of his most notable and successful initiatives has been a local tradition that residents of East London, Ontario are all too happy to support. For the past 17 years, Barry and the owner of the Eastside Bar and Grill, George Karigan, have hosted a weekly 50/50 draw raising more than $715,000 in support of Canadians living with MS, and the duo have never missed a week.
And in December 2023, his persistence paid off when his fundraising total surpassed $1 million during a 50/50 draw at the bar, which also marked the anniversary of Lynne’s passing. The event drew significant publicity and support, helping him surpass his long-held goal. A goal he knew he’d reach; it was just a matter of time.
Barry’s story has inspired thousands of Canadians to get out and fundraise themselves. Not only have his fundraising efforts played a significant role in improving the lives of those living with MS, but they’ve also made a huge difference to his immediate family, including his daughter, Amanda, who couldn’t be more proud of what he’s accomplished.
“I’m so proud of everything my dad has done to reach this milestone on both a personal and professional level,” says Amanda. “He’s always taught me, you sign up, you show up. I’ve lived by these words my whole life and it’s clear he has too.”
A Win for the Entire MS Community
Barry knows he won’t be the one to discover a cure, but he firmly believes in the importance of supporting the researchers who might. Since Lynne’s diagnosis more than 30 years ago, significant progress has been made in understanding the causes and underlying mechanisms behind MS – bringing the MS community closer to finding a cure. Research breakthroughs and policy milestones that wouldn’t be possible without the help of passionate advocates and fundraisers like Barry.
And while a million dollars might seem like an unattainable goal for most, Barry’s the first to admit that with a strong purpose, persistence only grows stronger with time. A persistence that won’t stop until a world free of MS is a reality.
“We’re still working and doing this together. In her memory, and in honour of the over 90,000 Canadians who are living with MS right now, we’re not going to stop here, that’s for sure,” he said.
Push your limits, track your miles, and fund life-changing research by joining Barry and Ontario’s bike riding community. Take the MS Bike Challenge.
Additional Information:
MS Bike – Be part of something big! Join a community of thousands of cyclists who are making a difference in the fight to end MS.
There are two MS Bike events in Ontario for 2026:
2026 MS Bike – Grand Bend to London – July 25/26, 2026 – For 36 years, MS Bike – Grand Bend to London has brought together thousands from our community as the second largest MS Bike event in Canada.
2026 MS Bike – Ottawa to Cornwall – August 15/16, 2026 – Celebrating 37 years, MS Bike – Ottawa to Cornwall has brought together thousands from our community.
Ontario By Bike – Great Places to Cycle – Explore cycling routes and trails for before or after your MS Bike ride in 2026, and find bicycle friendly businesses to eat, visit and sleep.
The post A Million Reasons to Keep Biking: How One Man’s Biking Journey Turned into a Win for the Entire MS Community appeared first on Ontario By Bike.
