Cyclists who returned to Sundre to raise funds for cancer research, treatment and support during the 11th annual Alberta Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer were glad not to have to contend with wildfire smoke, which forced organizers to cancel the event last year.
Friends Rhonda Bean and Elizabeth Critchley, both from Calgary, got involved in the ride for their first time last summer, reaching Cremona when the call was made to pull the plug. While they understood and agreed with the reasons why it was cancelled, they were nevertheless disappointed. But this year’s second crack at the bat seemed to have made up for it in spades.
“It’s a great town, everybody’s so enthusiastic,” said Bean.
“They all love you when you rode into town, it was fantastic!” she added.
Supporters hold signs at the finish line and cheer on the riders as they arrived on Saturday at the Sundre Rodeo Grounds, where a tent city was set up for the weekend. Noel West/MVP Staff
The pair was inspired to participate through the shared connection of knowing people who are either currently fighting cancer or have lost their lives to the disease.
“Even over this past year, it just feels like one friend after another, so we’re happy to be out here able to do it,” said Critchley.
Both expressed gratitude for the efforts of researchers who over the years have made substantial improvements in the battle to find a cure.
“We’ve got some friends this year who got a pretty good checkup at their doctor after their treatment,” said Critchley, adding that would not be the case if not for progress.
“These big fundraisers like this, they’re a bit of business in themselves, but they raise a lot of money — a lot more money than a bake sale does,” said Bean.
“People are looking for places to do good things, and this gives people an opportunity for that.”
Gordon Hurlburt, from Calgary, was also among those who were disappointed, albeit undaunted, by last year’s turn of events.
“It was the right decision for the reasons. The smoke, it was dangerous and unhealthy, it was the right thing to do,” he said.
Of course that did not make the experience any less disappointing — not just for the cyclists who trained for the ride, but also everyone who played a role in helping to make it possible in the first place.
“They put so much time and work into it. They just deserve such an immense amount of credit for everything that they do here. They’re all so helpful and inspirational,” he said.
This year’s weather “completely” made up for last summer, he added.
“Last year, just riding out here, you couldn’t see very far at all, but you got a hint of just how beautiful it is. Today, you can just see forever, and the area is just outstandingly beautiful. It’s obvious that the people who live around here take great care of their properties,” he said.
“It’s a real pleasure to come out here.”
Hurlburt said everyone has a story about someone in their family or circle of friends who have an experience with cancer. He said cycling in the ride would be a great way to raise money for a good cause while also getting a chance hit the open road and visit a new place.
“Otherwise I never would have come out here,” he said.
“You hear a lot about Sundre, everybody talks about the Sundre rodeo and just how great it is. I’ve always wanted to come out here and see the rodeo,” he said, adding he hopes to eventually do just that.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer was held Aug. 17 and 18, starting northwest of Calgary and ending up at the Sundre Rodeo Grounds, where a temporary tent city was established to accommodate 1,255 riders as well as supporters and volunteers. Ellen Wright Terrill, interim CEO for Alberta Cancer Foundation, said about $5.9 million was raised this year.
Starting near Calgary on Saturday at about 7 a.m. with a planned pit stop in Cremona along the way, the first cyclists began to arrive in Sundre shortly after 11 a.m., completing the first half of the roughly 200-kilometre ride.
Riders make their way through Sundre during the Ride to Conquer Cancer on Aug. 17.
Veteran rider Brad L’Heureux was among them. The Edmonton resident, riding in the event for his sixth time, was out last year but only made it as far as Cremona when organizers decided to pull the plug due to health concerns caused by wildfire smoke wafting in from B.C.
“It was a bummer, but it made sense why they called it,” said L’Heureux, adding this year’s weather made up for it and that the roads were good. Completing the first 100-kilometre leg of the ride in a personal best of about 3 hours and 24 minutes, he shaved about 15 minutes off of his past times. Although the event is not a race, he said he enjoys competing against himself.
Having never before been to or really even heard of Sundre, he called the community “a nice little town” surrounded by beautiful country boasting a view of the mountains. As someone who enjoys the outdoors, L’Heureux said he will be thinking about coming back to further explore the area.
As with most, if not all, of the participants, his inspiration to get involved stemmed largely from personal experience.
“I have multiple family members that have been through cancer, some are in remission and free,” he said, adding this year’s ride was to honour the memory of a good friend and client who died last October.
Equally as important as raising funds for research and treatment, he said, is to ensure care and financial support is available for people who have been diagnosed. He was encouraged to see so many riders, and intends to continue participating in the future.
Rookie rider Kyle Fehr, 16, who joined last year for the first time, considered this run to be his first since he was able to successfully complete it. Also from Edmonton, Fehr, who conditioned himself leading up to the ride and did not seem particularly winded shortly after completing the first stretch, said his father Michael has been doing the ride since 2011.
“I’m continuing with the legacy,” he said, explaining that his aunt Melissa Repetski died in 2012 from complications of a cancer that had spread from her lungs to her breasts.
Those are the kinds of stories that connect seemingly everyone who commits to getting involved either as a rider or a volunteer, such as Ruby Starlight, who helped provide security with a welcomingly warm, friendly smile as riders came in to park their bikes after crossing the finish line.
Upon learning about the event just this year, the Tsuu T’ina resident, whose 28-year-old son Eugene Starlight has been battling skin cancer for almost three years, decided to lend a hand and hopes to continue doing so.
“I’m here to support him,” she said, adding that getting involved in the ride this year was “new to our family.”
Starlight called the event a wonderful opportunity to support people struggling with cancer.
“I really feel for all of the families. I see people carrying pictures on their backs, and I think it’s so nice to see all these families bringing their loved ones with them.”
The last time she was in Sundre was in 1995 to buy a truck. Starlight said the town “seems to have grown. She’s so wonderful,” and added the community is “supporting riders in the best way.”
David Liu was another first-timer who felt compelled to ride as a result of personal experiences. Over the years, the Calgary resident said too many family members have suffered from cancer, and that a close friend had just recently been diagnosed.
“I think cancer should be done a long time ago,” he said.
“The more money we put towards it, the better the chances we’ll get rid of it.”
David Liu, from Calgary, participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer for his first time, and had his picture taken after arriving in Sundre. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Plenty of positive progress has been made over the years — certain cancers that once were near-guaranteed death sentences now have high survivability rates — and Liu said he hopes to see more similar developments in the years to come.
Having never previously heard of Sundre, this was Liu’s first time in town. While he’d not yet had a chance to extensively check out the community, he said what he saw on the way was “beautiful. Lots of hills, but beautiful” and would recommend the area for anyone considering a visit.
Toni Wittenberg, from Edmonton, arguably has more personal experience coping with cancer than the average.
“I’ve lost some friends to cancer. And I’m a nurse, so I lose new friends — patients — all the time,” Wittenberg said about her inspiration to ride. Coping with such loss is always difficult, but she strives to make the most of every day.
“It’s just nice to be able to do something to, hopefully, stop the pain.”
Veteran rider Toni Wittenberg, a nurse from Edmonton, has done five rides over the years.
Having never before been to Sundre, Wittenberg said she hopes to bring back her family to enjoy camping in the area.
“It looks like you have lots of recreational options — a little something for everybody.”
Although participation this year was down from roughly 1,800 riders last year, when there had been more momentum for the Alberta ride’s 10th anniversary, Wright Terrill said organizers were grateful to be granted space to accommodate such a large crowd.
“I mean that sincerely. We really appreciate that Sundre’s allowed us to come in and take over this part of town.”
The weekend turned out well, and the Alberta Cancer Foundation CEO’s said, “It’s really encouraging just to walk around and see all these happy faces. It’s such a great atmosphere.”
Funds raised go to a number of different initiatives, she said during an interview at the grounds.
“It spans the gamut. Everything from clinical trials, where people have access to treatment and drugs years prior to when they normally would otherwise, to comfort items like chemo chairs and warm blankets,” she said.
Additionally, funds are invested to support a “patient financial assistance program, which helps people who may face hardship when they’re undergoing cancer treatment, for example maybe they can’t work. That program alone last year was accessed over 6,000 times.”
Organizing such a massive event “is a colossal feat” and efforts are made to locally source volunteers and help when possible, she said.
A tent city was established at the Sundre Rodeo Grounds to accommodate the 1,255 riders plus supporters and volunteers who participated in this year’s ride. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
CauseForce, which is based out of L.A. and also has offices across Canada, provides the logistical support for the event, said Madeline Salerno, CauseForce communications manager. The company also assists with executing other Ride to Conquer Cancer events throughout Canada from B.C. to Montreal, said Salerno.
While some local vendors and volunteers were asked to participate, certain elements do get outsourced, she said.
“A lot of the tents you see here are sponsors,” she said.
However, she added the following local businesses and organizations provided services: Mountainview Inn and Suites; Sundre Motor Inn; Kodiak Deli; IGA; Burger Baron; Tim Hortons; Shell; Sundre Flower Shoppe; musician Therry Lawson; and River Valley school, which provided additional parking.
Wright Terrill said she enjoys being a part of the effort to bring people together and raise funds, and to “continue to invest that money in initiatives that really help Albertans who are facing cancer.”
A spokesperson with the Alberta Cancer Foundation said all revenue generated by sponsorships and fundraising efforts goes back to the organization.
”Then, we pay out any costs we might incur from it,” said Phoebe Dey, communications and marketing for the Alberta Cancer Foundation, by email on Monday.
”It’s one of our biggest fundraisers throughout the year and accounts for anywhere between 15 to 20 per cent of our annual revenue, so we’re honoured that so many Albertans take part in it and help us make such an impact to those facing cancer.”
Riders make their way through Sundre during the Ride to Conquer Cancer on Aug. 17.
