The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a two-day cycling adventure taking place in Vancouver and Seattle in August. Funds raised as part of The Ride go towards cancer research and improving the treatment of patients with Cancer. Registration is now open and leading up to it we'll be sharing with you inspiring stories from individuals who have done the ride in support of conquering cancer.
We're bringing you two inspiring stories from Shane and Connor, two captains of To the Max Cycling Club. The cycling club is based out of North Vancouver and consists of individuals passionate and united by the common goal to rid the world of cancer in their lifetimes. Since 2010, the team has raised $358,979 for the BC Cancer Foundation.
Shane and Connor, two captains of To the Max Cycling Club, have generously shared their stories with us in what inspired them to Ride to Conquer Cancer.
- Shane (left) and Connor (middle) at the 2014 Seattle Finish Line
I've been involved in the Ride to Conquer Cancer since 2010, when I joined to support my best friend Connor Knickerbocker. His older brother had recently been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and Connor was doing The Ride as an outlet for his mourning. I was just there to support. Dayne and others joined the next year, and we've grown as a team ever since.
The experience is a positive one through and through, and it is much longer-term than most people imagine. The fundraising and camaraderie aspects in the months leading up to The Ride rival - though do not match - the ride itself in fun and sense of achievement. So although the ride is only 1 weekend, it provides positive experiences - like meeting (and celebrating with) new people, stepping outside of normal routines, and focusing on goal-based productivity outside of the workplace - for the better part of a year.
That's why I ride and what it means to me very quickly. It's a massive part of our lives, and something we're extremely proud of. Connor, Dayne and I have been friends since elementary school, and I couldn't ask for two better people to do this with. They are the best.
The weekend is an amazing experience, a positive outlet to take feelings of anger, confusion, and sorrow related to death of loved ones and channel them through team building, fundraising, and of course, bike riding. I found it easy to talk about an otherwise difficult subject (my brother's illness) to complete strangers. The sad thing is so many families have been affected by cancer and The Ride is an environment where people can share their stories safely, and in turn, listen to other peoples stories.
Max passed away weeks before the 2010 ride. That year I was the most emotionally raw. But the Ride and Team To The Max helped me and my family get through difficult times in an immense way.
Initially, I found it very difficult to speak about Max's death at our various fundraisers, I cried on the microphone a couple of times. But putting myself on the line was crucial in my healing process. The more I speak publicly, the easier it gets (I still always get butterflies before). I encourage public speaking to anyone as I think it is a very powerful self-building tool.
As our team has grown so rapidly, Dayne, Shane and I have had the immense pleasure of watching other riders step up on their own accord and become leaders in the team. Everyone contributes in their own way; it is so amazing to see different fundraisers and events thrown by individuals on the team.
I ride because I believe that the research being done at the BC Cancer Agency is incredibly important. I ride because The Ride is an amazing healing experience and I want to share it with anyone who is interested. I ride for my family; I ride for your family.
