THUNDER BAY -- A feeling of exhilaration swept over the bikers on hand at the Motorcycle Ride For Dad when approximately 100 bikers revved their engines to start the ride.
“It just gets you pumped up,” biker Ruth Brickell said. “It just kind of gives you a feeling of accomplishment.”
The ride, which has been held for 17 years, raises money for prostate cancer.
President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Glenn Craig said Saturday’s ride might be a milestone if they hit the $50,000 goal.
“We’d be closing in on the million dollar mark over the course of 17 years,” Craig said.
Brickell sported a pink bandana and raced to support her sister’s husband who has prostate cancer.
“It’s a very worthy cause,” Brickell said. “I like to ride so I’d be out here anyway… but to know we’re supporting all those people who have to deal with that issue, it’s important.”
The goal for this year is $50,000. All proceeds will go to the Northern Cancer Fund to specifically help fund treatment, research, and patient education.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that the money raised in Thunder Bay, stays in Thunder Bay,” Brickell said. “That way nobody has to travel far for treatment.”
“It’s really terrific,” said Craig. “I was approached almost 20 years ago to put this event together, and every year the bikers just have a great time.”
Not only will they get a chance to ride, but a unique poker game is also included.
“It’s called a poker run,” Craig said. “Every route stop you pick up a card and whoever has the best poker hand at the end of the day will get a prize.”
The ride kicked off at the Victoria Inn with motorcyclists heading west down Arthur Street towards the Thunder Bay Expressway.
Bikers are spending the rest of the morning and early afternoon making poker stops all across the city.
