Why I ride:   Freedom & Camaraderie.   Riding with friends and strangers but still alone with your thoughts.

Why I Ride For Dad:  Because I believe a dozen Canadian men don’t need to die every day from Prostate cancer.

Because I believe in the overwhelming power of a large group of people pursuing a single goal.

Because I believe Prostate Cancer can someday be beaten.

Because I believe that the Ride For Dad is the organization to get us there.

On May 2, 2019 the Niagara Ride lost one of its own. passed away after a long and courageous battle. Chuck was very involved with the Motorcycle Ride for Dad, his cancer was not Prostate Cancer but in his own words in a 2015 Niagara Falls Review article “I don’t have prostate cancer per se, but cancer is cancer. Anything you can do to help the battle, you have to try to do. I’ve had some awfully good care from doctors and nurses over the years.”

Chuck and his wife Lori were regulars at the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Fundraisers and BBQ’s and of course the rides. Chucks battle made it difficult to continue to ride a motorcycle so he exchanged the two wheels for a 1923 Bucket T. He was always up front and stepped in to give our Honorary Ride Captains a ride in the “Bucket”.

Chuck achieved the level of Diamond in the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Captains club meaning that he personally raised over $15 000. In 2016 Chuck was the top pledge earner for the Niagara Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

Chuck always had a smile on his face even when many of us knew that his body was not smiling on the inside. His attitude and outlook on life was one that many of us can use as an example of true grit.

Since his passing Chuck’s family have formed Team Chuck in memory of him and proudly continue the tradition of collecting pledges and being involved in the ride.

Chuck you will be missed. Please put in a good word for us on Ride Day.

This year my daughter and I decided to ride for Greg. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer this spring and had the surgery a month ago. He is doing fine so far.

After reading about the MRFD I contact Gary and I met Byron and John in Kingston, there was no ride in Montreal and with the help of a few Blue Knights friend we decide to give it a try. That was in 2007 and our first ride was in 2008 and the ride will celebrate it’s 15 th year. Would do it again tomorrow.

In 2005, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and went through 33 radiation treatments which brought me into remission (as a result of research those 33 treatments are now reduced to 5).

In 2006, I saw an article in the local paper for Ride For Dad and thought “that is my ride”. I proceeded to contact fellow workers, friends, union members (CAW), HOG Chapter members to raise money for the fight against prostate cancer.

I was always proud when the money was donated to doctors, and to hear the awareness ads on the radio knowing that I was a big part of it.

If it wasn’t for the PSA test I would not be here today. I have been a part of the Prostate Cancer Canada Surovior’s Group to offer support to new survivors.

Get tested early and often and never give up!!

Ride for Dad 2022 will be an experience I will never forget. I have wanted to do it for quite some time now, but there was always a reason not to. The weather wasn’t nice, I was working, then COVID. This year I decided no matter what, I was going, and my son was excited to go with me.

I Ride for my dad, who had prostate cancer. It was caught early, and he has been in remission now for 7 years. Though he may not admit it, it was a difficult time, full of lots of uncertainties. It had to be tough on him, because it was tough on all of us. We fought it as a family, taking turns taking him to appointments and radiation treatments. They say it takes a village, and that’s no lie. That’s why I wanted to do this ride, as a way to honor him and everyone else who has had to deal with this in one way or another.

This was my first big group ride, and I was nervous. I had only done one group ride in my life of about 200 two weeks prior. This dwarfed that and my anxiety was through the roof. What if I did something wrong? What if I embarrassed myself or even worse crashed into someone? No, push through, you can do this, you must do this. Be strong, like dad was. Ok, I’ll hang near the back, it’s safer there. That was the plan.

Saturday morning, I wake my son, get ready, and off on our way we go. All I really know is that we were supposed to meet somewhere by Earls at Polo park. Great, we’ll get close and then hang towards the back, where it’s safe. As we enter the parking lot, looking for signs of where to go and what to do, the wonderful staff start directing us. Go that way, ok. He’s waving for us to turn here, ok. Follow that guy, ok. Oh no! This isn’t where I wanted to be. I’m in the middle of the pack. Front of a line. There’s no hiding, there’s no laying back and watching to figure this all out. You got this. Stop over thinking things. Be strong, like dad was.

Distractions, that’s what I need. Don’t let the boy see your nervous. Oh look, free food! Coffee, yes please! Sign the wall. Register. Buy some merch. Look at all the bikes, and discuss with my son about which ones he likes and what he wants for his first. Find some amazing people to talk to. Strangers are just a friend you haven’t met yet. Distractions, oh how I love you.

The announcements start. Oh my, this is happening. There’s no way out, your doing this. Be strong, like dad. So many people, so many bikes. We’re always away from the stage. What did that officer say we were supposed to do? Something about once you go, something about lanes, I can’t make it out clearly enough. Start your bike after the 5 loud bangs, ok heard that one. Anxiety rising. Breathe, this is supposed to be fun. You got this. Be strong, like dad was.

Bang. That’s one. Bang, that’s two. Bang. Bang. Ok, one more and it’s go time. Oh, please start. I don’t want to be left sitting here as hundreds of people have to go around me. It always starts, but if it ever was to not, this would be the time. Bang. The sound of all the bikes starting is deafening. Ok, you got this. Be strong, like dad was.

Go time. Hundreds and hundreds of bikes are behind you, don’t screw this up. Four rows of bikes at a time. It’s getting close to my row. Quick count. Oh thank heavens, I can follow the person beside me. Anxiety releasing. 1,2,3,4 go. 1,2,3,4 go. We’re next. 1,2,3,4? Wait I’m four! Oh no, I missed seeing that row of bikes. I’m 1, not the safe 4 I had all worked out in my head. Anxiety rising. Be calm, you got this. Again, the wonderful staff lay out the plan quickly. Wide turn onto Portage. Second lane from the median. Go when he says go. Oh, please don’t stall, don’t screw up, don’t embarass yourself or your son. You got this. Be strong, like dad was. Go time.

Lead the line. Wide turn. Second lane from the median. Off we go, didn’t stall, so far so good. Wide turn, good. Second lane from the median, good. Haven’t crashed or screwed up yet, good. Relax. Oh wow, look at all the people waving. We’re not all jammed up fender to fender, good. Wow there’s people everywhere waving. Nice and slow, good right? Oh no, what if the bike overheats? Relax. Look, that woman’s sign says “Thank you”. Thank me? For what? What did I do? Remember why your here. It takes a village, like it did for dad.

This is fun! Look at all the people that came out just to watch some motorcycles drive down the road. Honk the horn, wave to the kids. So far so good. Haven’t crashed, check. Haven’t screwed up yet that i know of, check. Relaxing, anxiety fading away to nothing. Whoosh! What was that? Cop car. They must be going ahead to block intersections. Ok, watch the line. Don’t cross it. Don’t be that guy who gets hit by a cop car during this. That’s not how you want to be remembered. Relax, you got this. Wave to the kids. Honk the horn. Have fun. Do it for dad.

Look at those flags! Wait there on both sides of the road. That’s the legion. They’re honoring us. I have never been to war, and make no assumptions about what it is like. But I have been in a battle. I have been scared of losing a father. I have friends that have not been as lucky as we were. Why am I crying? This is supposed to be fun. Thankfully no one can see me, full face helmet. Hope it stops before we get to the end. You no what? Who cares. Cry. Feel. Remember those that didn’t make it. Breathe. Be strong, like dad.

Into the Downs parking lot. Follow the staff. Park. Eyes dry? Yep, safe to take the helmet off. Wow. Didn’t expect all that. Need to catch my breath. Relax. From here on out it’s open highways. Familiar, comfortable. Walk around, look at bikes again, talk to more people. Hit the highway. Open roads. Who are those people on bikes? Doesn’t matter. Today we all ride together, for dad. We’re a village, for dad. Why are we being strong? For dad. Why will I do it again next year? For dad.

My journey with the Ride for Dad started because of my dad.  I had never heard of Prostate Cancer nor was aware of the Ride for Dad until my dad was diagnosed.  His diagnosis taught me really fast about Prostate Cancer and just how harmful it can be.

My dad was diagnosed in April 2009 and his treatment ended in October 2009.  It was the longest 6-7 months of our lives.  I am happy to report my dad survived Prostate Cancer and has been cancer-free ever since.  I’ll never forget shortly after that driving down Kenmount Road one day and seeing a billboard for the Ride for Dad and thinking I need to be involved!

I volunteered with our local chapter on the Registration for 4 or 5 years and then moved into an Executive Role with our local chapter.  My dad is my hero for fighting and now it is my turn to fight for him and anyone who may be impacted by this silent killer known as Prostate Cancer.