Cyclist, a quadruple amputee, again making towpath trek on bike from Buffalo to Albany
Provided photo: John Robinson heads out this morning from Buffalo to Medina for the first day of a 350-mile journey on the Erie Canal towpath. He is scheduled to reach Medina this afternoon. On Tuesday, he heads from Medina to Fairport.
MEDINA – John Robinson is riding a bike along the Erie Canal towpath for the seventh time raising awareness about the skills and abilities of people with disabilities.
Robinson is a quadruple amputee. He is the leader of Our Ability, which works with businesses to deepen the understanding of what people with disabilities can bring to the workplace. Our Ability also serves as a bridge between individuals and employment opportunities.
Robinson started the trip this morning at Canalside in Buffalo and will go 51 miles to Medina. On Day 2, he will go from Medina through Orleans County and stop at Fairport, a 56-mile trip.
The ride ends July 10 in Albany at Jennings Landing.
As he embarks on this year’s journey, Robinson is encouraging more companies to join the New York Business Leadership Network, a coalition of businesses in New York State interested in hiring and supporting businesses owned by individuals with disabilities.
More than 20 employees of M&T Bank, a NYBLN member organization, joined Robinson for the first section of the Journey Along the Erie Canal, and about 20 more M&T employees visited Canalside Monday morning to cheer them on.
The Arc of Genesee Orleans will greet Robinson today at about 3 p.m. when he is expected to reach Medina. He will is scheduled to leave Medina on Tuesday morning at the lift bridge at 8:30 a.m.
For more on Robinson and the journey, click here.
