Cycling; an activity for everyone!

“A friend of mine - a cameraman at MTV - lost a lot of weight from cycling, and I thought I'd try it, too, thinking whenever you look at a cyclist they all look super-skinny, so hey, why not? But then it turned into such a psychologically satisfying thing.” Carson Daly

When I first got into cycling, I had a preconceived notion that it would 1) be expensive, and 2) be dominated by aggressively sports-minded individuals. Four years later, I’ve come to realize that it’s one of the fastest growing sport; bicycles are getting cheaper, clothing is becoming cheaper,
opportunities for group cycles are becoming more prevalent and the community of casual riders has jumped exponentially. One of my favourite aspects about cycling is the type of people who get involved, especially in charity rides. There is such a positive atmosphere, with everyone getting
together under the right reasons. It is through charity rides that I have been able to learn so much about cycling, from understanding gear usage and the benefits of cadence, group riding techniques and the importance of proper tire pressure and bike maintenance. The community of cyclists is as
helpful as they are giving. You wouldn’t be hard pressed to witness more experienced cyclists giving fellow novice cyclists jerseys, leg warmers, arm warmers, jackets and other pieces of equipment to ensure everyone has a comfortable and safe ride.

The specific reason I like charity rides is that you get to ride for someone who can’t, it helps motivate you for that moment when you are peddling uphill, against a fierce headwind – in the rain, it reminds you of why you are here, and the promise you made. It also keeps you motivated prior to the
event to fundraise and get involved. It’s unfortunate that you cannot find a family or person unaffected by the devastation of cancer.

Next year I will be riding in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. I will be riding in my favourite province and cycling holiday - Montreal, Quebec. I’m looking forward to meeting all the various riders, volunteers, and families involved. It truly is a life-changing experience, and one that you will never forget and one where you will create some lasting friendships.

I know there are lots of people who want to ride, who have had that bike sitting in their garage, shed or storage place for quite some time. And to be honest, the hardest part is just signing up. The amazing event coordinators that help organize charity rides make it so easy –  they cover everything
from snacks at events, to questions regarding routes, to last-minute bicycle support, and help to create an inclusive, fun atmosphere for event attendees (including pre-event and post-event music, which is always my favourite for
getting pumped up!).

So do yourself a favour and get involved, whether you are want to cycle in one of the RTCC events, volunteer or just help fundraise! October 2nd is national Gear Up Day, an opportunity to really spread the word to coworkers, family members, friends and, heck, anyone who will listen! This is the last big push to get people to participate in a Ride to Conquer Cancer
event!

PS. On a side note, I found that even volunteering to help support one of the
charities turns out to be a lot of fun – believe me, I know!