Ten years ago, Victoria resident Barbara Quelch discovered she had colon cancer.
In her own words, it was a fairly quick recovery period as she only needed surgery, but difficult nonetheless as she had already lost both her parents to cancer, including her father when she was only 11 years old.
This prompted her to become involved the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day, 200-kilometre cycle to raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation.
And it wasnB次元官网网址檛 an easy thing for her to do.
B次元官网网址淭he first time I signed up I broke my leg, so instead I used my crutches and volunteered,B次元官网网址� Quelch said. B次元官网网址淭he second year it was absolutely pouring rain and I was almost pulled off the horse because my lips were turning blue.B次元官网网址�
This year, however, Quelch is ready to go.
B次元官网网址淟et me outline this: I am 59 years old, and IB次元官网网址檓 not an athlete,B次元官网网址� Quelch laughed. B次元官网网址淚 was starting as a couch potato. IB次元官网网址檓 the poster child for accessibility, because I ride a hybrid bike and I donB次元官网网址檛 clip in, so that makes it hard.B次元官网网址�
ALSO READ:
But thanks to QuelchB次元官网网址檚 diligent training and determination, she now feels healthier than ever.
This year the ride will start in Cloverdale and end in Chilliwack on the first day. The following day would normally see riders making their way to Hope, but because of poor air quality from the wildfires, cyclists will now ride a modified loop and end up back in Chilliwack.
Each rider must raise at least $2,500, and this year alone there are more than 2,500 cyclists expected to take part on Saturday morning.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 truly amazing to see the rider profile and how vast it is,B次元官网网址� said Lindsay Carswell, director of the Ride to Conquer Cancer at the BC Cancer Foundation. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 people as young as 16 to those in their 80s, and itB次元官网网址檚 an amazing balance of men, women and families.B次元官网网址�
To date, the Ride to Conquer Cancer has raised over $85 million.
For Quelch, the hardest part isnB次元官网网址檛 the 200 km cycle.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so emotional, I was packing my bag last night, and I packed a pack of Kleenex,B次元官网网址� Quelch said. B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e waiting in a line up to use the bathroom you hear peopleB次元官网网址檚 stories.B次元官网网址�
PHOTOS:
But Quelch said she had no hesitation in joining again.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 for the people you ride alongside with, the people who are there, but also the people who are not there,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e contemplating for next year, do it, you will never regret it.B次元官网网址�
The ride takes place Saturday Aug. 25 beginning at 7:00 a.m.
For more information, you can head to
