Cycle of Life

Shane Rossignol ('91) is a member of the Cycle of Life bike team 'NO ONE LEFT BEHIND' Maritime tour

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08 Apr 2022

Shane Rossignol — from the Class of 1991 — is a respiratory pharmaceutical representative who is preparing for his fifth bike tour with the Cycle of Life bike team.

The tour is called “No One Left Behind,” and it will cover 900 km across the Maritime provinces in just six days (May 23-28, 2022).

Ever since Rossignol was a biology student at Mount Allison, he has been a very active and involved person — having taught martial arts in the old Sackville rink and getting involved in many 24-hour relays. This year, his team is hoping to make its largest impact yet, with a goal of raising $25,000 to go to Progress for Mental Health and Kidsport.

On his 45th birthday, a herniated disc brought Rossignol’s active lifestyle to a stop. After months of rehabilitation therapy, the physiotherapist treating Rossignol acknowledged that the lack of activity was not boding well for him, and suggested he try a childhood love — biking.

“This lower impact exercise was exactly what I needed to get moving again,” says Rossignol.

Not only did this rediscovery of riding help him overcome the discomfort of inactivity, but he grew his hobby into an opportunity to support others and found friends interested in joining him. 

Cycle of Life bike team members: (Front row) Stan Mabee, Sonia Hart, Joey Rogers; (back row) Todd Cormier, Shane Rossignol, Cheryl Hart-Rossignol, Katie Rogers

The Cycle of Life bike team has grown from its original four members in 2017 to seven — there are four riders, a directeur sportif, and two members handling culinary and recreation direction.

“Members on this team consider themselves average Joes, working in the field of mental health, finances, forestry, etc.,” says Rossignol. “Seven ordinary lives that when put together become extraordinary.”

The youngest member on the team is 39 years old, and a couple of spinal injuries and a hip replacement are the reality for other members on the team. The next ride beyond 2022 is not a guarantee, whether it be for health reasons, occupation, or global pandemic, but that doesn’t deter this group from pushing themselves to make a difference. 

“The charities Progress for Mental Health and Kidsport, and the motto “No One Left Behind”, were chosen for the 2022 tour for three main reasons: to remove barriers for children and youth who feel excluded from enjoying play, to spread resource awareness to people battling mental health obstacles on their own, and to recognize the superheroes out there who make sure people feel like they belong just as they are,” says Rossignol. 

“Shane has lived the very essence of 'No One Left Behind', and inspires me every day to be the very best version of myself that I can be, and for that, I will be eternally grateful,” says Robyn Hart, who is aspiring to become a long-distance cyclist thanks to Cycle of Life’s influence. “I will tell anyone who listens that he is my personal superhero. It comes as no surprise that he built, with every member of this team, a band of heroes that ensure no one will ever be left behind. It isn’t just one week out of the year that the team is doing something for others, but every day.”

On May 26, the bike team will be in Sackville, NB for the night before continuing their race across the Maritimes in the morning. If you see them biking through, be sure to give a wave!

Find out more about The Cycle of Life bike team on their Facebook or Instagram!