Evan Bedford, a 65-year-old retired engineer, is pedalling a velomobile from Red Deer, where he lives, to Edmonton - all to raise awareness for a political book he'd like to see re-printed.
The journey, taken at a moderate pace, with Bedford camping or staying in motels at night, depending on weather, will take him about a week. By Sept. 13, he'd reached Ponoka.
He's travelling in an 85-lb velomobile, a human-powered vehicle, or bicycle car, that he imported from Holland two years ago.
By necessity, he travels light, carrying about 35 lbs of camping gear packed away in compartments on the sides and by the wheels.
The interest in his endeavour was sparked nearly 30 years ago when he was studying rural sociology at the University of Alberta, when he came across a book that would alter the course of his life: Changing Maps - Governing in a World of Rapid Change by Steven A. Rosell et al (and others).
Published in 1995, the book has a total of 14 authors, including arguably some of the greatest political, business and academic minds of the day, said Bedford.
The book is now out of print.
"It's still the most relevant book for problems we face today," said Bedford, adding he's kept informed about similar books released over the last three decades, and in his opinion, nothing has equalled Changing Maps.
"There's nothing that matches this."
Among the book's authors was famous Canadian philosopher Charles Tayler and a then sitting cabinet minister Marcel Masse.
As the book "advocates some pretty radial changes" to the process of governance, and included input from a current cabinet minister, Bedford felt it was newsworthy and tried to get the media's attention without much success, he said.
A cyclist at the time, he decided to bike from Edmonton to Ottawa in1996, in an attempt to hand a copy of the book to Jean Chretien, who was the Prime Minister at the time.
Part of his inspiration for the trip was Terry Fox, who ran across Canada in 1980 to raise money for cancer.
"I thought 'What can I do to get people to notice and ask me?'" he said.
The journey took about a year in total due to some setbacks and delays.
Although ultimately he didn't meet with Chretien, he handed out pamphlets with quotes from the book and was interviewed by a journalist along the journey.
Now, he's trying again, having pedalled from Red Deer to Edmonton in June and now again in September. He plans to continue the trip twice a year.
Despite being written 30 years ago, Bedford claims the book is still relevant, or perhaps even more so, stating on his website, "Just substitute the word 'internet' for 'information society.'"
He's found that riding around in what he says looks like a clown car grabs people's attention and allows him a chance to start a conversation.
He asks if they feel optimistic or pessimistic about the future, and tells them about Changing Maps. He invites those who want to know more to check out his website that explains more about the book, and then contact the publisher and petition for another print run. He will send the contact information to people who email him.
To find out more about Bedford's cause, visit his website evanbedford.com.
If you happen to see him in your community along his trek, you can also scan the QR code on his velomobile.
