Charity rides for causes lesser known
We’ve all heard of the Ride for Heart, the MS Bike Tour and the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, which support some of Canada’s largest charities. But for cyclists looking for some lesser-known causes to support, there are plenty of ways you can use your bike for social good.
While some events offer leisurely family-friendly rides, others offer a challenge for more serious cyclists.
Regardless of your skill level, you’ll have no trouble filling this cycling season’s calendar with charity rides you can feel good about participating in. CIBC Defi Velo 401 Bike Challenge (Aug. 12-14) The CIBC 401 Bike Challenge is now in its 11th year. The extreme endurance three-day ride sees cyclists riding peloton-style, covering 580 kilometres from Toronto’s Sick Kids to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
The first day sees riders cycle from Toronto to Belleville (190 kilometres). They will then depart at 7 a.m. the following morning from Belleville and cycle to Cornwall (260 kilometres) with a stop in Gananoque for lunch. On the third day, the group departs Cornwall and rides to Montreal (130 kilometres). There’s also an option to join the one-day ride from Cornwall to Montreal.
A $4,000 fundraising donation is required on top of the registration fee of $375, which includes accommodations and meals. Ride4Real Food (Sept. 13) Support a non-profit food co-op, Ontario farmers and provide healthy food to those in need with the Ride4RealFood.
This ride offers three great routes: a 65K and 100K on country roads through the outskirts of Brampton and Caledon and a 35K park route starting at Étienne Brulé Park and following the West Humber bike path. All three routes finish at the McVean Farm where riders can enjoy a picnic, farm tour and live music.
There is a $60 registration fee and a $600 fundraising goal. Riders who meet the fundraising goal receive a $60 gift card to the West End Food Co-op.
For more details, visit parc.donorpages.com/Ride4RealFood. Paramedic Ride (Sept. 18-21) This four-day, 500-kilometre journey honours the memory of Canada’s military and civilian paramedics. Day one takes riders from Toronto to Port Hope (130 kilometres); day two goes from Port Hope to Kingston (178 kilometres); day three takes riders from Kingston to Brockville (87 kilometres) and day four’s ride stretches from Brockville to Ottawa (130 kilometres).
Riders can sign up for a single day (at a cost of $125 registration) or the four-day ride ($275 registration includes the support-and-gear truck to carry luggage). For more information, see paramedicride.ca. Cycle 4 St. Joe’s (Sept. 27) This ride through the beautiful country roads of Caledon, Ont., supports the critical-care needs at Etobicoke’s St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
There are three ride distances to choose from: 12, 45 and 75 kilometres. Registration is $95.
Although it seems a little early to be thinking about next year, and dates haven’t been set, here are a couple of rides planned for June 2016, you might enjoy: The Healing Cycle Ride This family-friendly ride supports hospice palliative care in Ontario. With only three in 10 people with life-limiting illnesses having access to palliative care, it’s critical to raise funds and awareness for those in need. Choose from 10-, 25-, 50- or 100-kilometre routes, all of which leave from the Brampton Fall Fair Grounds at the southwest corner of Heart Lake Rd. and Old School Rd. To find out more, go to thehealingcycle.ca. Ride Don’t Hide Hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), this community bike ride is designed to raise awareness and help break the stigma associated with mental health issues while raising essential funds to support mental-health programs. There are several rides across Ontario including Inglewood, Newmarket and Mooretown. GTA riders can choose from two distances: 20 kilometres or 60 kilometres.
For additional information, visit ridedonthide.com/on. Freelance writer Lisa Evans contributes to Toronto Star Wheels on occasion. For more Toronto Star Wheels stories, go to thestar.com/autos. To reach Wheels Editor Norris McDonald: nmcdonald@thestar.ca