Inspiration travels Hwy 17

Written by admin on 19 August 2010

Original ride organizers Gary Janz (left) and Byron Smith (right) get a closer look at a big waves on Superior.

Ride for Dad visits Marathon

MARATHON, ON – Sunday, August 15^th the Ride for Dad traveled Hwy 17 West towards Marathon to meet John and Jean Rose who had parted ways with the very special motorcycle caravan 2 days prior in North Bay to ride ahead to Marathon and prepare a reception as the Ride for Dad bikers continued to overnight in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Roses originally learned of the Annual Ride for Dad at a motorcycle show in the Ottawa area when they were inspired to action after speaking to the ride’s originators Gary Janz and Byron Smith. Smith and Janz spearheaded the Ride for Dad as a local event promoting prostate cancer awareness and fundraising for research; within days of the inaugural event however they were receiving phone calls from like minded bikers and other individuals wanting to organize similar rides in their own communities.

A decade later, Janz and Smith continue their Ride for Dad; it is held each spring in 25 cities across Canada, raising awareness of prostate cancer in every province and two territories; more than 5 Million dollars has been raised by those who participate, their families and sponsors for prostate cancer awareness and research through local rides.

2010 being the 10^th Anniversary of the Ride for Dad it is traveling across Canada to celebrate a decade of spreading the word, educating men, opening minds, and saving lives and to once again raise funds for prostate cancer awareness and research. The 2010 ride has also partnered with the Military Families Fund with which funds raised will be shared. The ride began in St.John’s, NL, August 1^st and when it stopped to overnight in Marathon last weekend, two weeks later, it was approximately ½ way across the country.

John and Jean Rose with several other biking enthusiasts from Marathon, met the Ride for Dad about 10km outside of town at the Tourist Information Centre on Hwy 17, accompanied by the Ontario Provincial Police who would ensure their safe travels continuing on the Highway in the much more condensed formation used to enter towns as a group. The riders’ arrivals were staggered at the centre; it took about 30 minutes for everyone to arrive, swept by Big Bertha, their branded 18 wheel chase vehicle. No time was wasted; hellos were kept brief as everyone knew many residents were waiting to witness their procession into town.

Driving in, there were many residents and members of the media scattered along the route, cheering the riders in, welcoming them with camera flashes assuring the important message the bikers carried would be spread throughout Marathon and neighbouring Northshore communities. John and Jean had collaborated with volunteers and legion staff organizing a reception at the Legion complete with a delicious roast beef supper though as they arrived, the group was completely enthralled with the spectacular view of Lake Superior’s crashing waves at Pebble Beach, just steps from the Legion. Riders walked down to photograph the spectacle, some posing with their bikes, others just shooting the waves.

Everyone was given an hour to check in to their hotel, back out at the highway, before volunteers returned to taxi everyone in; it would be the first evening, since they had begun their adventure weeks prior, that they would have the opportunity to enjoy a drink with supper.

Supper was delicious, their celebrity rider, Wayne Ronstad (On the Road Again) MC’d the evening, thanking dignitaries for their hospitality and OntarioNewsNorth.com for covering the event before inviting Gary Janz to take the floor. Janz shared a touching story of one of the many people he has met along the way, a woman who had lost her father to prostate cancer because he was too proud to have testing done. He reminded everyone that when prostate cancer is caught early on, patients have up to a 90% survival rate. He encouraged women, as had Allerton in her brief words, to remind their fathers, sons and brothers, to have PSA and DRE testing and addressed the men challenging them to spread the word among themselves.

Next, Ronstad invited Smith to take the floor to ‘make a very important presentation’. John and Jean Rose were thanked for their efforts and support before John Rose was recognized as a Stage Vanguard Rider. Stage Vanguard Riders have raised 1000. He was also presented with a beautiful Ride for Dad jacket which has the ride crest on the back, a very special honour indeed. (For complete details of how to become a Stage or National Vanguard Rider, or to donate online, visit www.RideForDadCanada.org). The Roses were clearly very touched, and a toast was made in their honour.

As the formalities wound up, Ronstad spoke of the challenge for many of being away from their families for a full month of riding, sharing what it has been like traveling with the group before dedicating a song to the Marathon dignitaries who were present. Bookmark this article as videos and photos will continue to be added over the coming weekend and you won’t want to miss Ronstad’s performance of “The Mountain Man” which had the entire room in stiches nor the interview with Janz which nearly brought tears to my eyes!

Morning comes quickly when you are spending 8 – 10 hrs/day on a motorcycle and it wasn’t long before the group was returning to their hotels via volunteer taxis, an opportunity to stretch the experience of meeting the incredible men and women of Ride for Dad just a little longer.

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