Two wheels in memory of Taylor Ferguson

It has taken Lyndon Ferguson a long time to come to terms with the death of his older brother, Taylor.

Five long years of heartache. More than 1,800 days of questioning and wondering why it happened. It’s been painful. It’s been a tough process for the entire Ferguson family.

Just after his 20th birthday, Taylor died in a boating accident while on a camping trip with friends in 2008.

Ferguson always looked up to his brother. Taylor, being the classic older brother, was always looking out for his younger sibling. Taylor had an undeniable impact on Ferguson’s life. He always will.

After coming to terms with his brother’s death, Ferguson decided he needed to do something big. Something to help preserve the memory of his brother and at the same time help others.

Ferguson is a cycling enthusiast. His passion for the sport is deep. This is what Ferguson decided to use.

From May 25 to 28, Ferguson will ride his bike 500 kilometres during the first Taylor Ferguson Memorial Ride in Greater Sudbury and Manitoulin Island.

The ride will raise funds for the Taylor Ferguson Memorial Trust Fund, which supports the Sudbury Manitoulin Children’s Foundation’s “Send-A-Kid To Camp” program.

Ferguson, 23, had to do this, he said. For his brother. For his family and friends. For the kids going to camp. For himself.

There has been enough despair, enough grief. It was time for something truly good and inspiring to come out of Taylor’s death.

“Taylor was the best brother anyone could have asked for,” the concurrent education student at Laurentian University said.

“He died five years ago and I finally came to terms with that recently. There’s no sense feeling sorry for yourself because there is always going to be someone who has it worse off than you.

“I wanted to turn all the sadness ... into something really positive this year. I want to send kids to camp through his memorial trust fund by doing something that I love, and something that he would be proud of.”

Taylor had a passion for the outdoors and enjoyed every opportunity to go camping, fishing or hiking. He had a great sense of humour and he loved having a good time. Taylor was hard working and personable. He helped others. He always made sure no one messed with his younger brother.

This memorial ride will be emotional. There will still be pain, but there will be joy. There will be a celebration of a life taken too soon, but one that will forever make an impression on others.

“I haven’t really ... done anything in his honour since he died,” Ferguson said. “I just wanted to help kids and I want people to remember who he was. It’s definitely a fear of mine people are going to start to forget who he was.

“For me, I’ll never forget how lucky I was to have had him in my life and I just wanted people to remember that for themselves as well.”

Ferguson is encouraging all to join him on his ride. It starts at Adamsdale Playground on Second Avenue on May 25 at 8:30 a.m. He will bike 70 kilometres through Coniston, Garson, Skead and Val Caron. Riders can break free from the group any time they choose.

Ferguson resumes his ride on Manitoulin Island on May 26 and 27, where he will bike two routes consisting of 188 kilometres each, beginning in Little Current.

On May 28, Ferguson ends with a 55 kilometre run through the Gatchell area and Lively, stopping at the Second Avenue Cemetery, where Taylor was laid to rest.

Ferguson hopes to raise $1,000.

Donations to the Taylor Ferguson Memorial Trust Fund can be made at the checkout counters at Sears, Pinnacle Sports and Merit Travel, or by mail to the Sudbury Manitoulin Children’s Foundation, P.O. Box 1264 Station B, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 4S7.

For more information, contact Ferguson at 705-919-8616 or email [email protected].

Scott Haddow has been writing about sports in Greater Sudbury for the past 10 years.