The hardest part about taking part in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer cycling jaunt for Vernon’s Tim Fitzgerald isn’t the training, or the preparation.
The hardest part for Fitzgerald, who will join a couple of thousand other cyclists in the two-day Vancouver-to-Seattle excursion June 18 and 19, is coming up with the $2,500 each rider must raise that benefits the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
“The event stands to make $5 million, 2,000 riders at $2,500 each,” said Fitzgerald, 51, married and a father of three boys who runs his own electrical services company.
“A lot of people are inundated with financial requests right now. There are a lot of things going on, and I’ve just been finding it difficult.”
Since he turned 50, Fitzgerald has been about giving back to the community.
Twice he has gone to Nicaragua and donated his time with a group called Fuente de Vida. The group does volunteer work in the northern part of the country, installing water systems and solar lighting at an orphanage.
Now, Fitzgerald wants to continue giving back by taking part in the charity ride. Funds from the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer support cancer research at the B.C. Cancer Agency.
His mother passed away 10 years ago from cancer complications, and he has a lot of acquaintances with the disease.
Fitzgerald first heard about the ride on a TV commercial, and is undaunted by the 260-kilometre trip which will use side routes instead of travelling down I-5 in Washington.
He’s been a recreational bike rider for a couple of years now, completing a couple of trips up to Silver Star. One day last summer he rode his bike 160-kilometres from Vernon to Oliver.
“I ride a couple of thousand Ks in the summer, and train indoors on a bike trainer in the winter,” said Fitzgerald, who has yet to put his bike out on the road this spring, waiting for the roads to get a little clearer of all the winter debris.
“I love cycling. It’s non-evasive, it doesn’t wreck your legs, knees or the back.”
Fitzgerald will have company, besides the 1,998 other cyclists, on the trip. He convinced his neighbour, triathlete and Kal Tire salesman Grant Boeckx, to accompany him.
“Soon as I mentioned to it him, he signed up right away,” smiled Fitzgerald.
Both riders are looking for help in reaching the $2,500 goal.
If you would like to contribute, you can do so online. Go to www.va11.conquercancer.ca and click on “Donate” on the left side of the page. You will then be asked to type in the name of the participant, and will then be able to make an online donation.
