Simeon King, a fourth year Bachelor of Science in Aviation student at Mount Allison University, is on a mission — one kilometre at a time. In June 2025, he embarked on a big adventure with a big goal: he started riding his bike in Victoria, BC, the beginning of a solo 7,500-kilometre bike journey across Canada. He is close to his target of raising $100,000 for I Challenge Diabetes, a Canadian charity that runs programs that help foster inclusion and equitable access to peer support, educational initiatives, and supplies for patients of T1D. 

The average Canadian with T1D pays $2,000 per year out-of-pocket for devices, supplies, and medications, something that is a real barrier for many families. 

Though King’s primary objective is to raise funds, he also values the opportunity to connect with others and raise awareness of the daily challenges of type 1 diabetes. 

Diagnosed with T1D at age 11, King has long since been a voice of inspiration and hope for countless people just like him. Even with over 350,000 (about 1 in 133) people in Canada diagnosed with T1D, the diagnosis can be deceptively lonely and isolating. T1D involves relentless daily management — including using insulin, carb counting, and blood glucose monitoring, but it is a disease that is often misunderstood and lacks public visibility. 

“Although we live with this incredibly challenging thing every single day, we’re ultimately in this together and we can still go and achieve extraordinary things. We just have to have an extraordinary mindset and remind each other that we’re not alone,” King says.

“This journey has reinforced my idea of being able to accomplish the things you set your mind to. Any one person, although [they] may feel insignificant, can make a huge impact. We just need to have courage, a supportive community, and we need to believe in ourselves and our teammates. I feel a deep conviction and personal belief to be of service to others. I think that’s my purpose in life, to serve others the best I can and make a lasting positive impact in our world.” 

A solo journey across Canada on a bike doesn’t come without its challenges and King has been learning a lot on his way. He deals with all kinds of weather, including strong headwinds, rainstorms, humidity, and heat. There is wildlife — from annoying mosquitos to the bear that came sniffing around his roadside campsite in the middle of the night.  It is also a challenge to consume enough calories to make up for the 10,000 calories a day that he is burning, all while keeping his blood glucose levels in check. 

Advances in technology and treatment options in the last decade have allowed T1D patients to better monitor and manage the disease and have also allowed them to pursue careers in fields that used to be out of reach, such as commercial piloting. In fact, it was just in 2019 that the first Canadian was given clearance to fly a commercial airplane as a type 1 diabetic. King received the same clearance and found himself moving from Lac Lebish, AB to Sackville, NB for Mount A’s aviation program several years ago. 

“It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made to go to Mount A. I’m from a small town and this is a small-town university. It was perfect.” 

King will be in Moncton on Friday, August 8th, 2025, where he is inviting friends and supporters to join a by-donation yoga class with light refreshments and a chance to connect with him and others with T1D. 

To follow the rest of King’s journey live, including monitoring his blood glucose levels, donating to his fundraiser, or finding out more about a live event near you, visit his website: Cycle For Type 1 or instagram  @cyclefortype1.