THUNDER BAY – Connor McKinnon enjoys spending time with his grandfather.
Especially if it means he getting to join in on a motorcycle ride.
“It’s fun because we get to spend some bonding time,” he said, adding his busy sports schedule takes up a lot of time. “It’s fun to go out with him.”
The 13-year-old and his grandfather, Jerry Gothard, were about 200 people who braved chilly Saturday morning temperatures to take part in the Bell Motorcycle Ride for Dad.
Getting to share the ride as well as the camaraderie with the other bikers makes the event special.
“It’s being with like-minded souls and raising money for a worthy cause,” Gothard said.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation executive director Glenn Craig said the event is expected to raise more than $50,000.
That money goes to the Northern Cancer Fund specifically to help fund treatment, equipment and research for prostate cancer.
“I think the biker community is a very social and tight-knit community. We do this the day before Father’s Day so today we think about the men in our life who are special to us and prostate cancer affects one in seven men,” he said.
“Too many of our fathers and brothers are facing this battle with this disease so I think it means something really personal for many of these people.”
This is the 15th year for the ride and it shows no signs of slowing down. Craig said it has raised nearly $860,000 through the first 14 years.
“Most events have a lifespan but I think it’s because it’s such a great community we’re working with and something that’s really close to them it keeps going strong,” he said.
The ride kicked off at the Victoria Inn with motorcyclists heading west down Arthur Street towards the Thunder Bay Expressway before turning right onto Oliver Road.
From there, the bikers are spending the rest of the morning and early afternoon making stops at locations all across the city.
