An Unforgettable Ride to Conquer Cancer...

On August 29th and 30th, our team, the Market Cycles, took part in the 7th annual Ride to Conquer Cancer. A total of 2,087 riders helped raise $8.4 million for the BC Cancer Foundation. Funds raised support breakthrough cancer research and enhancements to the BC Cancer Agency. 

This year, our team raised over $57,000, and thanks to many of our clients, we have collectively raised roughly $617,000 over the 7 years we’ve participated in the Ride. 

We ride in honour of our friend and colleague, Ken Hawley, who sadly passed away on May 17th, 2010 after battling aggressive prostate cancer for nearly two years. 

We also ride in support of clients, friends, and family who have been affected by this terrible illness. We want to work together to make a difference in the battle to conquer cancer. 

This year the ride was changed to August from June primarily because of the poor weather we've experienced in the past. Ironically, after we experienced a record dry summer, the forecast was for heavy rain. Little did we know that the rain was going to be least of our worries on the weekend. 

We gathered at the soggy start line around 6:30am. Shortly after we reached Birch Bay, the rain thankfully stopped. This is when the wind started. While eating our lunch, we noticed the wind pick up considerably and, as it turned out, the wind would be the story of the day. 

The route immediately after lunch was hilly and surrounded by trees. As we came out of this area, we were advised that the officials wanted to discontinue the ride. Many of our riders were already through the unsafe area and were given the option to continue on via some safe detours they set up for us or wait for a shuttle to take us to camp. Our group decided to keep riding. Three of our riders happened to be at the lunch stop when the ride was closed and were not given the option to keep riding. 

The riding conditions for the next two hours were extremely challenging due to the high winds. After 130kms, five flat tires and winds in the 50 – 80km/hr range, we finally arrived at camp safely at around 4:30pm. It was an emotional finish to a grueling day. 

The riding conditions on Day two were fantastic. We arrived safely at the sunny finish line in Seattle and were welcomed by several hundred people cheering us on – including family and friends.

 We sincerely thank everyone who donated and supported us in this year’s Ride to Conquer Cancer. Our team will be back next year, as the battle continues.  

If you are interested in taking part in this wonderful life experience next year, please visit our team website: www.conquercancer.ca/goto/marketcyles2016.