Dan's Biography

The second youngest of four brothers, I was born on January 19, 1960 in Swift Current. I attended grade school and high school in Swift Current, before taking a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology in Moose Jaw. I received my diploma in 1981, and currently work as a Corrosion Protection Technician for TransGas. I recently received an award for 25 years of service with the company.

In April of 2002, I married Line Mercier. Our Eric Justin Mercier Powaschuk, was born at the General Hospital in Regina on January 27, 2003 . Eric was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2005. Eric is the inspiration for RideupforAutism.ca.

Aside from my family, motorcycling is one of my greatest passions! I started out a bit later than most, since my older brother Mike broke the rules – and his leg – while riding a motorcycle as a teenager. I have owned 11 motorcycles and have ridden them for more than a quarter of a million kilometres.

My motorcycle travels have taken me to most of the provinces and territories in Canada – with the Northwest Territories next on the agenda! I have also ridden through the west central, south-eastern and north-eastern United States . I have ridden the Baja Peninsula several times, and have gone down the west coast of Mexico to the Yucatan peninsula. I have also ridden through Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama.

This ride will be extremely challenging but I feel I will be prepared by the time I hit the road for my son Eric.