THUNDER BAY -- Most of the approximately 100 bikers who came to Saturday’s Motorcycle Ride for Dad were expecting a downpour.
To their pleasant surprise, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky at 9:30 a.m. in the Victoria Inn parking lot when they collectively revved their engines to kick off the event’s 18th year.
The bikers spent the morning hours cruising around the city and beyond, going as far Lakeshore Drive.
Ruth Brickell has been a regular at the event, which has raised over one million dollars for the Northern Cancer Fund to specifically help fund treatment, research, and patient education.
“Usually it rains,” Brickell said. “But whatever the weather, it’s always great to be out with the other riders and socialize.”
And, of course, contribute to a worthy cause. Brickell says she knows a number of people who have been affected by prostate cancer, and sports a pink bandana to support them.
“It can affect anyone’s life,” she said. “No one is safe from it, so this event makes people aware of it out there.”
Each and every biker is affected in some way, and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation CEO Glenn Craig said the community support is tremendous each year.
“When we first sat down two decades ago we said we wanted to do something for men's health, there was nothing really on the landscape there,” Craig said. “We approached the biker community and they responded right away and it’s been a great partnership.”
For Brickell, the ride gives the motorcycle community a chance to show a different side.
“I think it makes the city more aware that bikers aren’t mean, terrible people. We’re people that work together for the community… it puts the people in a better light.”
The event expects to raise $50,000, with all proceeds going towards prostate cancer research.
