Weather-wise they got everything, according to Rod who did the Ride to Conquer Cancer last week along with fourteen other Hope Peddlers and almost five thousand other cyclists. On Saturday they dealt with rain and wind; on Sunday they faced blazing heat. But they all made it, including Jeff, who sported a yellow flag as a cancer survivor, and John, who rode on his son Geoffrey’s bike.
John actually made it into the Hamilton Spectator, which reported, “John rode in on a mountain bike a few sizes too small. It was his son’s bike. Geoffrey died four years ago from bone cancer. ‘It’s really emotional for me,’ John said, tearing up. ‘As people were cheering me on, coming in here, I was just so emotional.’ He rode with his church group; close friends who rallied around Geoffrey throughout his fight. After years of grieving, he decided this would be his fresh start. ‘It’s time for me to come out of my shell. And with this ride, if we can stop another parent from losing a child, then that’s a good thing,’ he said.”
Rob who, along with Rod, has cycled all five years that the Ride to Conquer Cancer has operated, was impressed with the attitude of the team. “It’s amazing how well our cyclists did, keeping a positive attitude despite the weather. They were willing to stop for each other and Alice and Joan were even able to help a woman who was suffering from heat stroke, staying with her until medics showed up.”
Unfortunately, medical reasons forced two members of Hope Fellowship, Emilios and Kevin, to bow out before the ride. But Stan was willing to be called “Kevin” all day and did well despite being a last minute replacement.
Some of our cyclists chose to do the longest offered distance – 100 miles on Saturday and 100 kilometres on Sunday – instead of two 100 kilometre days. Michael, our worship zone co-ordinator and a novice to distance road cycling, and Larry, cycling with the team for his second year, accomplished this longer distance in fine form. “Mike’s warming up to spandex,” Rod joked. “Soon he’ll be shaving his legs!”
As a team, the Hope Peddlers raised at least $46,000 this year for cancer research at Princess Margaret Hospital, bringing their five year total to $145,580. The combined total raised this year by all 4852 cyclists in Toronto’s Ride to Conquer Cancer is $18.1 million, bringing the five year total to $80 million. In addition, many more millions have been raised for local hospitals in the annual rides that take place in Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver and Brisbane, Australia.
- Pastor Peter
John actually made it into the Hamilton Spectator, which reported, “John rode in on a mountain bike a few sizes too small. It was his son’s bike. Geoffrey died four years ago from bone cancer. ‘It’s really emotional for me,’ John said, tearing up. ‘As people were cheering me on, coming in here, I was just so emotional.’ He rode with his church group; close friends who rallied around Geoffrey throughout his fight. After years of grieving, he decided this would be his fresh start. ‘It’s time for me to come out of my shell. And with this ride, if we can stop another parent from losing a child, then that’s a good thing,’ he said.”
Rob who, along with Rod, has cycled all five years that the Ride to Conquer Cancer has operated, was impressed with the attitude of the team. “It’s amazing how well our cyclists did, keeping a positive attitude despite the weather. They were willing to stop for each other and Alice and Joan were even able to help a woman who was suffering from heat stroke, staying with her until medics showed up.”
Unfortunately, medical reasons forced two members of Hope Fellowship, Emilios and Kevin, to bow out before the ride. But Stan was willing to be called “Kevin” all day and did well despite being a last minute replacement.
Some of our cyclists chose to do the longest offered distance – 100 miles on Saturday and 100 kilometres on Sunday – instead of two 100 kilometre days. Michael, our worship zone co-ordinator and a novice to distance road cycling, and Larry, cycling with the team for his second year, accomplished this longer distance in fine form. “Mike’s warming up to spandex,” Rod joked. “Soon he’ll be shaving his legs!”
As a team, the Hope Peddlers raised at least $46,000 this year for cancer research at Princess Margaret Hospital, bringing their five year total to $145,580. The combined total raised this year by all 4852 cyclists in Toronto’s Ride to Conquer Cancer is $18.1 million, bringing the five year total to $80 million. In addition, many more millions have been raised for local hospitals in the annual rides that take place in Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver and Brisbane, Australia.
- Pastor Peter
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