Virtual Cycling Without Age - Mississauga

 While perusing the Cycling Without Age Facebook page over the winter I came across an organisation called 'Motiview' which had developed a library of footage captured from cycling paths and pedestrian walks all over the world to be used in a virtual cycling program for seniors.

I thought this would be the ideal adjunct to our summer program to keep us in mind over the winter when outdoor activities in Canada are for the hardy and foolhardy.  However, on enquiring over their subscription model, I found it beyond the reach of even the more affluent for-profit retirement homes.  The idea came to me that if we were able to video record our rides from the trishaw, we should be able to create our own library of footage from local trails and parks including some landmark areas which would be familiar to residents of Mississauga.

And so the project of 'vCWAM' was borne.  However, the homes we were involved with had more experience with the exercise habits of their senior residents and were not keen on spending any more on equipment than they already had with their well equipped gyms with pristing equipment sitting unused.

So it was up to me to get going and apply for some funding, not only for the under desk exercycles but also for videorecording bike cams and the use of a video editors and streaming software to store the footage which could then be used by other homes either on their own AV equipment or be projected using our equipment.  We are still in the process of applying for grants which will cover the expected expenses of approximately $5,000 to bring this project to fruition in three retirement homes we currently service.

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