LAKELAND – “For the event coming up on Saturday, we’ve planned a 328 km scenic ride through the beautiful Lakeland area to all the communities who are supporting our ride,” described Jan Stewart, the chairman for the Lakeland Motorcycle Ride for Dad Chapter.
But, this scenic route isn’t being organized simply to enjoy the great outdoors. The annual Motorcycle Ride for Dad was established in 2015 to raise awareness and funds to fight prostate cancer.
All proceeds raised from the non-profit's annual events are invested into prostate cancer research and life-saving public awareness campaigns about the disease, as well as spreading information about the importance of early detection.
The Lakeland chapter has raised over $93,000 with the support of the community since it formed less than a decade ago.
The ride set for June 4, includes five built-in stops and is estimated to take from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The day will start with a pancake breakfast put on by the members at Cold Lake Seniors’ Centre, followed by a mid-day barbecue hosted by St. Paul Cornerstone Co-op. Then, a steak and chicken dinner and bar will follow the end of the run, again at the Seniors’ Centre in Cold Lake.
The evening will consist of presentations on prostate cancer awareness, door prizes, raffles, a 50/50 draw, and awards for participants who raised the most pledges.
And while the rodeo will be taking place in Bonnyville on the same day, Stewart hopes that Ride for Dad event will still be able to draw between 100 to 300 bikers.
In Canada, prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in men, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. It is estimated that in 2022, on average, 13 Canadian men will die from prostate cancer every day.
The rate of new prostate cancer cases largely mirrors screening activities from physical exams and the use of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, states the cancer society.
“A PSA test can find prostate cancer early, before it grows large or spreads outside of the prostate. Finding cancer early can mean that treatments will be more successful.”
How to register for the ride
Riders can register online at ridefordad.ca/chapter/lakeland, and access a pledge sheet for the charity ride.
However, Stewart says “most motorcycle riders will wake up in the morning and look at the sun and decide if it’s a nice day for a ride, and then make the decision to take part.”
That is why riders can still register until 9:45 a.m. on the morning of the ride.
The group will kick up their stands at 10 a.m. and roll out to the first stop on the route.
Participants can join at no cost if they collect $100 worth of pledges, or they can pay $40 up until the day before the ride. Registration on the day of the event will be $50 per rider.
Route stops
Stop 1: Bistro 56 in Glendon
Stop 2: Cornerstone Co-op in St. Paul
Stop 3: Derwent Hotel in Derwent
Stop 4: Journey North in Bonnyville
Final stop: Cold Lake Seniors’ Centre
At each stop, participants will get a card stamped on a poker-hand sheet and the best hand will win a prize at the end of the night.
The stops chosen for the Lakeland Ride for Dad route were selected because each location sponsored the ride and is helping the group raise awareness.
