Lance Armstrong, left, is joined by Research In Motion Ltd. co-chief executive officer Jim Balsillie, right, and 39 other cyclists in Cambridge, Ont., for Ride with Lance, benefiting Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto and the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre in Cambridge. Participants raised over $1.2-million.
For in depth, behind-the-scenes coverage of this event, check out Bill Bean's blog on bicycles: Take the Lane
WATERLOO REGION -- Moments after completing the Ride with Lance, Jim Balsillie compared the event to a wedding day.
"I’m thrilled!" he said, gulping from his water bottle. "The weather… it all went great, and everyone is happy. Now I can go relax."
Jim Balsillie teamed up with Sunnybrook Hospital to bring cancer survivor and celebrity cyclist Lance Armstrong to the region. The Ride with Lance fundraiser is expected to raise more than $1.3 million, to be shared by Grand River Regional Cancer Centre and the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook hospital.
Forty cyclists each raised over $25,000 for the privilege of riding with the seven-time Tour de France winner on a 117 kilometre route.
Balsillie was the catalyst that brought Lance to the region. "I know him, because he thinks I’m his tech support for his Blackberry," he said.
The two met when Armstrong used the BlackBerry for his cycling team support. "We just kind of stayed in touch and got to know each other."
The route through Waterloo Region’s country roads was designed by Canadian cyclist Steve Bauer, who also rode today.
"The pace was tough," Balsillie admitted as he wiped sweat from his eyes. "You try to stay in the peleton as much as you can, and you pull for a little bit, but it was a really tough."
Balsillie said he and his wife Heidi care a lot about health care and social services, among other things, and are happy to be able to help.
"Part of the fun for me was to fuse Sunnybrook hospital with Grand River, a research hospital with a clinical one," Balsillie said.
Local cancer survivor Deb Gemmell wore the coveted yellow jersey as she cycled in the pack today.
The yellow jersey is traditionally given to the top fundraiser. But it was presented to Gemmell by Armstrong and Perry Dellelce, who is the top fundraiser and co-chair of the event.
Gemmell, 54, was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 months ago. Since then, she’s undergone surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Her treatment ends in September. "And then we’ll be back to normal," said her husband Jonathan Pearce.
Being part of the race at all came as a shock to Gemmell. The cycling enthusiast desperately wanted to participate, but wasn’t able to come up with the required funds. Just a week ago, the Waterloo office of Canaccord Capital surprised her with the news that they had come up with the money and registered her for the event.
"It’s a dream come true for her," said Pearce. "Lance Armstrong has always been an inspiration. Your attitude is the most important factor, and she’s really positive."
Security was tight around the Woerner House estate in Cambridge this morning where the ride started and ended. Riders and crew arriving in SUVs, limousines and buses crept past the stone gate. Local cycling enthusiasts and friends and family of the riders peered down the leafy drive, hoping to catch a glimpse of their hero at the pre-ride brunch.
A buzz went through the crowd when Phil Liggett, a Tour de France commentator known as ‘The Voice of Cycling’ appeared outside the gate in his official Ride with Lance jersey.
He said Armstrong is an inspiration, and a passionate speaker. "He makes you believe in yourself," said Liggett. "When you’re fighting a disease like cancer, the best thing is to believe you can beat it, and Lance puts that message out there."
Perched on her new bike, Dr. Carolyn Campbell, chief of the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, said she was undeterred by the length of the ride. "I have no doubt I can make it," said Campbell. "I’m so ready! It’s all about the participation. It’s not a race."
Campbell, whose husband, Kitchener oncologist Dr. Bob Stevens, is also riding, said they could not have raised the funds without the generosity of the staff at the cancer clinic.
Maria Pegg waited patiently outside the gate to see husband Shane ride by. Also waiting patiently was Pegg’s baby, whose due date was two days ago. "If I go into labour, he’ll have to go up and ask Lance to pick up the pace, and maybe swing by the hospital," she said.
Shane, a sales manager at RIM, is a huge fan of Armstrong and the son of two cancer survivors.
A motorcade of police bikes and cars led the pack, followed by support vehicles. The Ride for Lance route was a closely guarded secret. Riders will have dinner with Lance tonight, with the top five fundraisers sitting at his table.
Grand River’s portion of the proceeds will go toward purchasing a new piece of radiation equipment.
"This is a huge highlight. When I rode in Calgary, I couldn’t sleep for 2 days. I was like a kid," Balsillie said after riding with Armstrong. "Gordie Howe would be the only one that would measure up, so for me, it’s massive."
