Three friends from Mapleton Township are turning their passion for cycling into a valiant effort to help put an end to cancer.
Jeff Duimering, Jerry Roubos and Wiebe (Bill) Van Zwol will ride over 200km from Toronto to Niagara Falls as part of the Ride to Conquer Cancer on June 12 and 13.
The money raised by the trio – each participant is expected to raise at least $2,500 – will benefit The Campbell Family Institute at The Princess Margaret Hospital, one of the top five cancer research centres in the world.
Duimering, 38, who lives on a farm just outside of Drayton and runs his own carpentry business, started cycling seriously just one year ago because of the health benefits. He decided to take part in the event because of the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
“I love cycling and it’s a good cause,” he said. “What I really appreciate is the money goes directly to cancer research.”
In just two years of existence, the Ride to Conquer Cancer – there are also events in Quebec, Alberta and BC – has surpassed all other cycling events to become Canada’s most successful cycling fundraiser, raising more than $28.5-million in 2008 and 2009.
Last year the ride boasted 3,530 participants from eight provinces, l4 states and four countries.
“It’s a great feeling doing it,” said Roubos, who will take part next month for the third straight year. “And it’s also very humbling to see people who have been through [cancer] doing it as well.”
Roubos, 35, is a project manager with Moorefield Excavating and lives just west of Arthur. He says he’s been “pretty lucky” in that he’s not had to deal with cancer personally.
In fact, all three Mapleton residents say none of their close friends or immediate family members have been stricken with the disease.
While that may be relatively rare, so too then is the trio’s truly altruistic desire to participate in the grueling event despite the lack of a personal connection to the disease.
Roubos said his main reason for taking part is simple.
“I think mentally and emotionally I could handle it if I got cancer,” he said on his blog for the 2009 Ride to Conquer Cancer.
“But what if it was one of my kids? What if one of them was stricken with this disease? Could I bear to see them suffer? Kids are supposed to be vibrant bundles of energy … I would feel pretty lost and helpless …
“That is why I ride. To help fund the research that may one day ease the suffering of someone I love; to enable the doctors to find a cure for cancer.”
Asked why he participates, Van Zwol simply says, “It’s a fun thing to do and I believe it’s a good cause.”
Now 61, Van Zwol lives northeast of Rothsay and is no stranger to cycling or to physically challenging charity events. Having grown up in the Netherlands, he learned to love riding during daily bike trips back and forth to school and other destinations.
Several years ago he took part in the Around the Bay Road Race to benefit McMaster University hospital, running one 10km leg of the 30km race. But he much prefers cycling.
“I think it’s better exercise. And it agrees with my body much better than running,” he said with a laugh.
A few years ago Van Zwol also participated in a 160km leg – from Owen Sound to Guelph – of the Sea to Sea bicycling tour that featured a stop at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church in Fergus.
Duimering may be newer to the world of cycling, but he’s already put 750km on his bicycle this year, riding at least twice per week. Roubos also bikes several times per week to prepare and trains on a stationary bike in his basement in the winter.
“The first year was the most difficult,” Roubos said of the 200km Ride to Conquer Cancer. “But it’s still draining.”
Yet Van Zwol thinks “the average person” should be able to cycle 100km in a day and said next year he’d like the trio to try completing the entire trek from Toronto to Niagara in one day.
Part of his training includes biking back and forth to Sunday mass at the Christian Reformed Church in Palmerston every week – a distance of about 15km each way.
All three Mapleton residents said they don’t really have a time in which they’d like to finish the Ride to Conquer Cancer – they’re just looking forward to working as a team during the ride.
“It’s definitely more fun [than going alone],” Van?Zwol said. Added Duimering, “It’s easier to be motivated with a group.”
So far, Roubos, Van Zwol and Duimering all say their fundraising has been going great, starting with fabulous support from their families and complimented by the generosity of friends and business connections (all three are involved in different areas of the construction business).
“I’ve had good support,” Duimering said, to nods of agreement from Van Zwol and Roubos. Duimering has already surpassed his goal of $3,200 and anything more raised is a bonus, he said.
Van Zwol, part owner of Wellington Construction, said his company will match whatever he personally raises, and his goal is $5,000 total.
Roubos said he did not have a fundraising goal per se, but he has almost reached the minimum required.
Without looking too far ahead, all three men expressed an interest in competing again in 2011.
But for now, they’re just excited about cycling, the camaraderie of riding alongside one another and doing something for a good cause.
Sure, they’re hoping for sunshine, but even bad weather won’t be able to spoil the mood or diminish the magnitude of their accomplishment.
“I think it’s going to be a beautiful weekend regardless,” said Van Zwol.
For more information visit conquercancer.ca.
To donate to Duimering, Van Zwol or Roubos, click on “donate now” and enter the applicable name.
