Picture of Gavin on a 1995 Harley Softail

Mike Cole says diabetes has been tagged the silent killer for too long.

Cole is riding his 1995 Harley Davidson custom Softail across Canada in the dead of winter, so he can talk about the problem with as many people as possible.

He's raising his voice about the effects of diabetes so more people will understand it and help make life easier for people living with the syndrome.

Cole stopped in Sault Ste. Marie last night, much to the joy of six-year-old Gavin Dupuis.

They're shown on Cole's bike parked outside the Comfort Inn.

"It was such a thrill for my son when Mike lifted him up and put him on the Harley," said Gavin's mom, Shelley Dupuis.

Gavin and Mike have more in common than a love of Harleys.

Gavin is living with juvenile diabetes and Mike was diagnosed with it when he was almost nine years old.

Mike has been living with it ever since and is just days away from birthday number 47.

"People just don't understand what this is like," he said yesterday. "I, for example, am not testing [my blood sugar level] nearly as often as I should because I just can't afford it."

And many in Canada are in worse shape than Cole.

He says Ontario is a leader in providing life-saving programs, services and medical equipment for those living with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but the province still has a long way to go.

Canadians living in other provinces can expect considerably less government coverage of their expenses associated with diabetes.

Cole wants to see a comprehensive Canadian health care plan that covers needed medical supplies and treatments for diabetics.

"For every dollar spent on diabetic care, four are saved," he said. "It's a worthwhile investment in Canadians' health."

Cole is hoping to meet with the federal health minister when he gets to Alberta.

If he gets to Alberta and beyond.

After committing to his trip, Cole lost his primary sponsor, so he's been funding the trip himself.

And he's almost out of money.

Cole is getting plenty of support from Harley Davidson dealers, bike clubs and people he meets along the way.

But he's still short on corporate sponsorship.

"I think when I started out, people really just thought it was a joke or just some crazy guy or something," Cole said. "As we've been moving across Canada we've been getting more media attention and I think people are seeing we're for real."

So why is Cole braving ice, slush and sub-zero wind chill factors for weeks on end?

"For the kids," he said. "Mostly for all the kids living with diabetes. The doctors tell their families what physical symptoms to watch for and how to control blood sugar levels but they can't tell them how that child feels or what the child goes through on a day-to-day basis."

Cole wants to see mentor programs set up so adult diabetics can be trained to partner with families who have a newly-diagnosed child, helping them with the transition into the new lifestyle that will be demanded of them to achieve and maintain a healthy, happy life.

Cole has a lot of great ideas and has been steadily building momentum since leaving St John's Newfoundland on January 1.

Evidence of this can be found on his Ride for Diabetes website, in his Facebook group.

He will be also be seen on Biker TV on Sunday February 1 at 10:30 a.m. when the Outdoor Life Network airs the season's first episode of Biker TV.

The program will showcase Cole's determination to finish his winter ride across Canada for juvenile diabetes research.