Powers Creek Community Church’s lead pastor David Barbour spent more than 19 hours on his bike Saturday as he and 139 others completed the Ride2Survive.
Those participating in the annual cycling fundraiser took off from West Kelowna at 3:30 a.m. Saturday and arrived in Delta at 11:15 p.m.
“It was a bit long, but no big crashes (or) mechanical failures. And (we had) sunny weather,” said Barbour.
Barbour and a friend came up with the Ride2Survive concept 10 years ago.
“I lost my dad in 2000 and every year it just seems like somebody else I know is fighting cancer or has lost their fight with cancer,” said Barbour.
What started as a modest fundraiser with 17 riders and $20,000 raised has grown substantially. Ride2Survive is now the Canadian Cancer Society’s largest independent fundraising event and is 100 per cent volunteer-driven.
This year 140 riders raised more than $530,000.
“I like the fact that every dollar we raise goes directly to…cancer research. The riders pay for everything else.”
Although this year’s ride went off without a hitch, safety is always a top priority for organizers, said Barbour.
“A lot of these riders are fairly new to riding…so they don’t necessarily have a lot of bike-handling skills.
“But we’re very well supported. We have two mechanics that travel with us and BC Ambulance Service.”
He added several riders have survived cancer and many others were riding for loved ones who have fought the battle with cancer.
“Every story will just about wreck you. There are people there who have just lost close family, like partners, parents and children.
“We had a 17-year-old girl lead us in when we got to Delta. She has two chemo treatments left and she found the energy to get on a bike and lead us in the last five blocks.
“There are inspirational stories all the way through.”
wpaterson@kelownacapnews.com
Twitter: @PatersonWade
