Hundreds of Ride To Conquer Cancer cyclists are once again expected in Sundre, this time for a celebration to conclude this year’s fundraising event.
The route for the 10th annual, 200-kilometre cycling fundraiser on Aug. 18-19 was, for the first time, leading from Calgary to Sundre and back.
Few of the 1,800 cyclists taking part in the ride actually made it to the town though. Organizers cancelled it mid-ride due to health concerns related to the smoky air quality. Still, $8.12 million was raised through the effort to benefit the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Organizers have now planned an extended Celebratory Ride event in town on Sept. 22.
“We do two celebration rides after every ride. One by Edmonton and one by Calgary. But because everybody loved the Sundre area and the part of the ride they did get to was so beautiful, we thought we’d bring them back,” said Krystal Clements, the event's sales and fundraising manager.
About four hundred people have already RSVP’d to attend, said Clements, adding that was before any formal invites had been sent out.
Details have been posted on the organization’s website and Clements appeared as a delegation at last week’s town council meeting to spread the word.
“We’re thinking there’s going to be between 500 and 900 riders that will come out for the celebration ride. It’s really spectacular. Typically our celebration rides are about 200 people, so this is a really big deal,” she said.
Riders and supporters will meet at the Sundre rodeo grounds at 9 a.m.
Ride organizers, along with Alberta Cancer Foundation spokespeople are expected to give thanks and recap the year before riders head off around 9:30 a.m. on a loop to Bearberry and back.
Riders can choose to do the 50-kilometre ride, or do the loop twice for a hundred-kilometre ride.
Black Gold Industries Ltd. will be putting on a barbecue for riders upon their return to Sundre and Steamwhistle will be there to provide refreshments.
The official Ride Photography Group will be there to take team photos before the ride and the I Conquered It Wall will be available as well.
If it’s cold or raining, Clements said festivities will move to the curling rink.
Next year’s ride dates have already been selected and she said organizers and riders are pushing to have the route once again pass through Sundre.
“We’re hoping to come back here next year August 18 to 19. We really want to come back, our riders really want to come back. Ultimately it’s the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s decision on where we ride,” she said.
Organizers thought Sundre “was absolutely amazing, standout from the rest, very accommodating, very hospitable. I can’t say enough about how well we’ve been treated here in the town,” she said.
