Thousands of ERTCC riders unite in a common goal: Eradicating cancer in our lifetime
Duncan Meade, Technology and Innovation Manager, Enbridge Green Power and Transmission, and Team Enbridge Calgary Captain for the 2016 Alberta ERTCC
By Duncan Meade
Technology and Innovation Manager, Enbridge Green Power and Transmission, and Team Enbridge Calgary Captain for the 2016 Alberta ERTCC
This weekend, the 2016 Alberta Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer, presented by EVRAZ, will roll out from Calgary, with hundreds of participants challenging themselves to ride over 200 kilometers during the two day event on Aug. 6 and 7.
I’ve been an active cyclist since I was a teenager, but it’s always fantastic to see so many participants from different walks of life challenging themselves to complete the route.
Throughout the Ride, there are moving and emotional stories from those who ride and raise funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. There’s also great camaraderie in the support offered to fellow riders, many of whom have very personal reasons for their participation.
Cancer has an impact on everyone, and like the majority of people participating in the Ride, I too have family and friends who have been directly affected by this disease. Finding a cure for cancer requires significant resources, and I know that the funds I have been able to raise will be used to support vital research.
This will be my third year in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. As an Enbridge employee, it’s an event I’m proud to participate in, and this year I volunteered to captain the Enbridge corporate office team from Calgary. We currently have more than 140 riders registered from Enbridge’s Calgary and Edmonton offices, together with a few employees travelling to Alberta from other locations to take part.
We also have more than 40 volunteers who will be helping out along the route. It’s a fantastic event that brings so many people together for a common cause.
I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that the weather is good. I first participated in the 2012 event, when even a weekend of heavy rain could not dampen the spirits of the participants. Sunny skies certainly make the ride easier, but the goal of conquering cancer by raising vital research funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation is first and foremost in riders’ minds as they pedal along.
This year’s route starts at Canada Olympic Park early on Saturday morning, and passes through Springbank to Bragg Creek, and then on to Priddis, Turner Valley and finally Okotoks. After spending the night at camp, we’ll complete much the same route in reverse on Sunday.
It would be great to see support along the way!
