An Okotoks cyclist wore the reason he pedalled more than 200km on the weekend across his chest.
Not to mention his shoulders, tummy, back and other areas across his upper body as they were covered with names of cancer survivors, those who died from the dreaded disease and those who are helping him raise money to battle the ailment which has hit so many people and their families.
Prominent on David Marquardt’s jersey was the name Dana Marquardt, his wife.
“Five years ago, my wife had cancer and I realized that from a family perspective that the Enbridge Ride for Cancer is something I wanted to do to fight this disease,” Marquardt said Saturday at the Pason Centennial Arena, not long after completing the first day of the ride.
“Thankfully, my wife is a survivor.”
Marquardt was one of more than 1,400 cyclists who pedalled approximately 110km from Canada Olympic Park to Okotoks on Saturday as part of the eighth annual ride. The cyclists, many of whom spent Saturday night in a Tent City behind the Pason Centennial Arena, pedalled from Okotoks back to Canada Olympic Park on Sunday to conclude the two-day fundraiser.
Marquardt points to his jersey and starts listing names.
“Megan is a cancer survivor, Gordie unfortunately fell victim to it, Pat is a survivor, Barb is a survivor… I have their stories and a lot of them are friends of mine,” David said. “Some of these people (on the jersey) have sponsored me, and I’ve asked them, ‘Is there anybody you want to ride for?’ The answer is usually, yes, and I asked them if I can get their story.”
He points to the name Heidi and says: “She had 28 operations since she graduated from high school… Marie was a three-time cancer survivor and cancer finally got her the fourth time around. Some of these people have amazing, touching stories.”
Marquardt has raised approximately $6,000 a year — about $30,000 — since starting the ride five years ago.
He had to overcome a few obstacles himself to participate in the ride. It was his wife getting cancer and the Enbridge Ride that got him back on a bicycle.
“Twenty-two years ago I was hit by a car while riding my bike — I honestly shouldn’t be here,” Marquardt said. “So I swore off road-riding for 17 years. When I got my own God-given call to do something about cancer... this was it... to go way deep into my own fear zone for people I know and complete strangers.
“It still is intimidating. That’s why the roadies, the pinkies, and all the support crew are my favourite people.”
The pinkies and the support crew are the volunteers who help make the event happen.
He said every time he crosses the finish line, it’s an emotional experience.
“When tomorrow comes and we cross the finish line, you realize you have put out quite a bit over the last couple of days,” Marquardt said. “But it is nothing compared to the pain that some of these people have gone through — the radiation, the chemo.
“We ride these hills, but it is nothing like the survivors and families have gone through.”
He said fortunately, Dana’s cancer was caught early.
“That was a huge thing,” he said. “But it’s a disease that does funny things. You think you have it by the tail, but something completely unexpected can happen.”
Mary Jane (MJ) Meyers, did her first Enbridge ride on the weekend.
“My trainer at Motion Fitness talked me into it – she basically signed me up,” she said with a laugh. “That was last year and I have been training every day, because I am also a triathlete.”
She said the conditions for Saturday’s ride were ideal.
“We finished in five hours and 23 minutes, not that I am counting,” she said. “I’m not riding for anyone in particular, but I lost my dad to cancer, I lost my favourite aunt to cancer. But everybody is touched by cancer. It is an evil, evil, disease and I just think the more we can do to help, the better.”
She understands why the area is called the Foothills.
“The hills near Priddis are brutal,” she said.
Randy Robertson completed his fifth Enbridge ride. He came from the Lone Star State to do it.
Robertson, who recently moved to Houston, flew back to participate in the ride. He is a member of the Holly Rollers, named after his wife, a survivor of breast cancer for five years.
The Holly Rollers, raised approximately $20,000 this year.
Robertson, who spent the night at his in-laws’ Heritage Pointe home, said he plans to be back next year.
Approximately $6.35 million was raised for the Alberta Cancer Foundation in this year’s ride.
