With the sun finally shining, Randy's Riders are ready to hit the road for another year of raising funds to conquer cancer.
Kicking off their training over the weekend, the local cycling group is boasting their largest team yet, with 31 riders participating in the 2017 Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.
“I'm happy with the interest on the team, I really thought last year we would lose 15 people because of work. We actually picked up new riders – we have four riders that have never ridden in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer and a few riders that took a year off and now they're back,” said team captain Darrell MacDonald. “It's a great experience. It's a lot of unselfish people doing good things, it makes you feel good when it's all said and done.”
Their fifth year heading to the ride, the team has set a goal of raising $100,000. Thankfully, with more riders than ever before, it should bring them closer to that goal as each participant is required to raise a minimum of $2,500.
However, they have a long way to go. Like any other charitable cause, Randy's Riders is feeling the pinch of the slowed economy. As of last Wednesday, the team had collected around $7,600.
“This is a low number compared to what it was in previous years by this time. It's been a challenge this year,” said MacDonald, adding the weather is partly to blame.
“Normally, we would have been on the road riding for a month already. When we ride we wear our Randy's Riders jersey and people see us out there, learn why we're out there, and they start donating.”
In an effort to raise more funds, Randy's Riders will be hosting their third annual spring fling. On July 14, they will be hosting the after party following the Toby Keith concert in Cold Lake.
Immediately after Toby Keith's final song, people can make their way from Imperial Oil Place to the Energy Centre field house. Randy's Riders will be keeping the night alive, serving drinks while local band Mid Life Crisis takes to the stage.
“They've always been part of our big parties. Andre (Gagnier), the main vocalist with that band, he's from Cold Lake and has a connection with all of us,” MacDonald noted. “It's about a party and having a good time, and the cause is there too.”
Last year, they managed to raise around $13,000 from their Meatloaf after party, despite the show being cancelled last minute. MacDonald expressed they're hoping this year's event will “be a big draw for the team.”
The riders have also been putting their skills to good use to raise funds individually. For some, that's meant painting houses – and they're still taking bookings for post-ride season.
“We were doing houses and condos, new builds or renovations. Instead of paying us directly, they'd give donations to a rider; that helped us out a lot… You've got to think outside the box. It's really challenging sometimes, the expendable money this year, and last year, people are a lot more careful with money.”
Formed in 2013, Randy's Riders was started in honour of the late Randy Imrie, who lost his battle with cancer. Since then, it has grown from a small group of friends on a healing journey, to a team that has gained a reputation across the province. Currently, they have cyclists from as far away as Calgary, Edmonton, and Lloydminster.
With one of their own in a battle with cancer, MacDonald said they hear first hand what the funds raised are going to.
“Zach Grant, he's had a horrible year with cancer coming back. When you do this, sometimes you don't see where your money goes. With Zach, we've heard he's getting a stem cell transplant, or he's getting high-level cancer treatment. He wouldn't be able to do that if you did have the cancer society and cancer foundation to do the research.”
He added, “I'm now seeing more and more how the money is getting spent. I fully believe what our team is doing makes a difference.”
The ninth annual Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer is taking place August 12-13. The over 200-kilometre journey runs between Calgary and Okotoks. Last year, Randy's Riders brought in closer to $90,000, placing them 11th out of over 150 teams for fundraising.
To donate to Randy's Riders, or get more information about the group and participants, visit their team page at ab17.conquercancer.ca.
