Pedaling for a cure

Hundreds of bicyclists rode in support of cancer research at the third annual Caribou Charity ride on Sunday.

About 400 participants pedaled either 50 or 100 kilometres along Highway 61 near the Nor’Wester Best Western Hotel in support of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Northern Cancer Fund.  

Scott Boone participated in the ride for the first time last year and said it helped to make him more interested in the sport. About seven years ago, doctors diagnosed Boone’s mother in law, Marjorie Johnson with breast cancer.

Boone said when a family member has lived through that experience it’s easy to become inspired to help out a worthy cause.

“It’s always encouraging to see so many people come out to help out such a great cause,” Boone said. “(Cancer) has certainly touched my family. I think that’s the unfortunate reality that it is far too common and most families are affected by it these days. It’s not hard to get inspired by something like this.”

The event raised about $25,000 last year and event organizer Jeff Hupka said they hoped to surpass that amount by the conclusion of this year’s event. He said he was happy to have such great weather for the event.

“Basically what we try to accomplish with this event is a lot of fun so far everyone is having that,” Hupka said. “We filled up all the spots about two weeks ago, which is great to just have all the spots full. We thought we would have but it is always great to see the community response so overwhelming for this event.”

Hupka added that more than 300 riders participated last year.