County cyclists help raise $97,000 at Ride to Conquer Cancer

The 2023 Team Myderwyk team, raising $97,000 for cancer research, included: Craig Wilson, Rob Legge, Gregor Stuart, Joe Myderwyk, Jeff Myderwyk; Rob Garden, Vic Rocha, Rick Harrington, John Daley, Curtis Morrow, Bill Ulakovic, Curtis Morrow, Chris Graham, Eric Fetterley, Hans Myderwyk and Neal Kadish.

Prince Edward County cyclists with Team Myderwyk raised $97,000 for this year’s Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer, helping to help raise more than $17.3 million for cancer research.

The team members were among more than 3,500 riders cycling in the two-day, more than 200-km event from Toronto to Niagara Falls.

Rob Legge notes the group didn’t always ride together, “but we finished together. We would separate into groups and reconvene at rest stops.”

The first day saw riders travel to McMaster University in Hamilton on Saturday, then rested up before riding to the finish line in Niagara Falls Sunday.

“All 15 members of Team Myderwyk crossed the finish line at Niagara Falls after 121km of cycling, bringing our two-day total to 282km of cycling, and almost 2000m of climbing,” said Team Captain Joe Myderwyk on social media.

He reports pride in the team which had one blown tire and two minor crashes, and “the best cheering section by far when we crossed the finish line.”

Team Myderwyk started six years ago riding for mom Lucy Myderwyk.

“At that time, she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The pride that she felt, and the strength that she gave us the first two years was more powerful than words can describe. It gave us hope, joy, and a reason to ride. Sadly, we now ride in memory of her. On July 13, 2019, Mom lost her battle with cancer,” the team explains on the Ride website. “We will continue to ride. For Mom, a cure will come too late, but we will change the story for someone else. ”

Last year, Team Myderwyk consisted of 11 riders who raised almost $65,000 for Princess Margaret Hospital, and with this year, brought their grand fundraising total to just over $250,000.

This year was the 16th Ride to Conquer Cancer event, and the sixth year for the Myderwyk team. County team members included Hans Myderwyk, Joe Myderwyk, Jeff Myderwyk, John Daley, Gregor Stuart, Rob Garden, Bill Ulakovic and Rob Legge.

This year, the team grew to 15 members – and for several members was their first event, while the others “will cross the finish line and remember that some of our greatest fans are no longer with us to celebrate. For all of us, it will be an emotional ride.”