Ron McLean, 57, has logged more than 12,000 kilometres on his Honda scooter over the last 30 years. It may not sound like a lot but those kilometres were logged solely on his father’s short driveway in Capilano.
Ron lives with a disability and started riding when he was 30 years old. When asked what he likes about riding his scooter, he says, “I just do.”
Every weekend, Ron visits his 82-year-old father for the weekend; he spends weekdays at a group home.
He typically spends between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. riding up and down the driveway.
“The first thing he does, even if it’s raining and cold, is get the bike out. He’d ride anytime he can,” said father Don McLean.
“I like him to do it. It’s good. That’s what his life seemed to be – he liked to ride.”
Don said Ron does not have a licence and because of his disability, does not ride on the street. He said the scooter gives his son a sense of freedom and independence.
Rudi Zacsko, co-owner of Scona Cycle Honda, said he first met Ron in 1985 when he and his father came in to purchase a Honda Elite 150 Scooter. He has been in close touch with them since.
“Ron is an exceptional human being. His passion is like no other. He lives for his scooter,” Zacsko said.
When asked about Ron’s dedication to logging mileage on just a driveway, he said it’s unique.
“I haven’t heard of anyone doing it. I doubt there’s anyone on the planet that has done it. He is definitively one-of-a-kind.”
In January, Zacsko told his district sales manager about Ron and his passion for riding. Eventually, the story made its way through the company and recently, representatives came to Edmonton to give Ron an experience he will never forget.
Honda took Ron to Castrol Raceway so he could ride for a length greater than his father’s driveway.
Kimberly Reeves, co-owner of the raceway, said the track is 2.7 kilometres long and Ron went around it roughly six or seven times that day.
“It was pretty incredible. He was having an awesome time,” she said.
She adds that his speed topped out at 60 kilometres an hour that day.
“[It] probably doesn’t sound like a lot to you or I but when you only had a driveway to be on, that was pretty impressive.”
Zacsko, who rode alongside Ron, said the scooter lover was “beside himself.”
“Even though he didn’t really show it, I knew he was. Afterwards, our drive home in the truck, he opened up and talked about it. It’s something he’ll never ever forget,” he said.
As for Ron, he told Global News he felt “good” during the experience and said it was quite special.
However, he added he is content to ride wherever he can and that is his father’s driveway. It may not be as glamorous as a racetrack, but that’s where he’ll continue to be every weekend, riding up and down whenever he can, logging kilometres along the way.
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