Paralyzed man riding Erie Canal for 350-plus miles reaches Orleans today

Ian Mackay, on trek from Albany to Buffalo, wants to highlight accessibility in nature

Provided photo: Ian Mackay is using a mouth-controlled power wheelchair to travel the Erie Canal towpath. He is scheduled to pass through Orleans County today and tomorrow.

ALBION – A man who is paralyzed from the waist down is headed to Orleans County today on the Erie Canal towpath, as part of 10-day journey to highlight accessibility in nature for people who are disabled.

Ian Mackay is one day nine of the 10-day initiative. As of about noon today, he was at South Greece and headed west. His team estimates he will be in Holley around 2:30 p.m. today, and then will reach Albion around 4 p.m.

He plans to have pizza at Avanti’s in Albion after today’s ride.

Mackay is paralyzed from the neck down after a bike accident when he hit a tree in 2008. He continues to lead an active life and loves to explore the outdoors.

His schedule showed him stopping at Albion today and then starting the final day of the trip in Albion on Monday morning and then go 46 miles to near Buffalo. But he may go past Albion today due to the long journey on Monday. He usually starts the day’s ride around 10 or 11 a.m.

Mackay is using the ride from Albany to Buffalo to highlight what’s possible for wheelchair users when accessible infrastructure makes outdoor recreation more inclusive.

Mackay is founder and executive director of Ian’s Ride, which is based in Washington state.

“This is an opportunity to show what’s possible when people have access to the outdoors,” Mackay said before the trip started. “The Erie Canalway Trail is an incredible piece of American history, and I’m excited to experience it with my friends, meet people along the way and continue pushing for trails that everyone can enjoy.”