2008 Ride For Karen Rider Stories / Comments

The 2008 RFK marked my 5th (and wettest) participation in this superbly-organised and profoundly-moving event.

Despite the steady rain, I once again enjoyed the rare opportunity to ride a serious distance over somewhat unfamiliar terrain with a huge group of disciplined and yet friendly cyclists.

One of the reasons I keep returning to this event is that Kris, Kirk and their large team of volunteers do everything in their power to support the riders and ensure a safe, memorable and enjoyable outing.

They look after route scouting/planning, permits, signage, rider registration, police escort, pre-ride coffee/muffins/cookies, snacks, lunch and post-ride BBQ/pasta and prize give-aways.

And they also make sure that every penny raised by the riders goes directly to the three kids' charities that this event supports.

Think about that for a moment: every prize (including the RFK riding kits), all the food, the (volunteer) police escorts, the children's play area equipment, all the staff ... all of it is either volunteered or paid for by various Event Sponsors.

I'm sure that as of today(September 9th), that K&K are already planning the 2009 event.

I'll be there.

Roland Pfeiffer

Roland Pfeiffer - r_pfeiffer@sympatico.ca
Markham ON, Canada

Rain, rain and more rain. Riding on the edge of hypothermia for 5 hours for one day pales compared to what cancer patients go through everyday. Raising money to help send kids with cancer to summer camp not only benefits the children, but the parents also get a well-deserved break.
This was my first year doing “Ride For Karen” and I found it very well-organized. There was help everywhere for this newbie, from the friendly volunteers handing out food and water to the police directing traffic. Ride marshals, bike mechanics and sweep vehicles were there if you needed them.
If you are looking to have a great time doing something you love and at the same time, help a great cause see you at Ride For Karen 2009.

Gord Cheong - re5olution5@sympatico.ca
Toronto ON, Canada

How bad is it to ride in steady rain for 5.5 hours? If you keep working you stay warm and after a while you get used to it. I was glad that I was able to spend the whole day in a good pack. While some were a little grim, probably more from their efforts than the rain, most of us enjoyed ourselves.

All in all it was a good ride. Besides, what else are you going to do on a rainy day?

I'll be back again

Roger Partington - rpartington@wesco.com
Toronto ON, Canada

Wow! What an adventure...

Five hours, 160km, in pouring, torrential rain. From the very start to the very end it rained, and rained, and rained.

I'd be lying if I said that I enjoyed myself, I did not. However, during the toughest moments I did think of the daily battle that kids with cancer have to endure. Things came into perspective.

I may have helped by raising money but the kids helped me finish this years challenging ride.

To the Tobias family, well done. Bravo ! (I'll be back in 2009...)

Jeff Green - greencamera@yahoo.ca

Kris and Kirk - Thank you for another great ride!!! The cause is great and the energy is exhilerating. I hope that as long as you have the ride I will able to contribute. Let's continue to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. You both aptly put it -- Cancer can't kill the spirit of hope.....$1 million dollars here we come. See you in September 2009.

John Rossetti - john@ihbakery.com
Woodbridge ON, Canada