Cross-country cycling summer tour inspires, revives memories
It’s been 45 years since we watched the iconic image of Terry Fox emerging from a concrete horizon, with his signature jogging ‘hop.’ Fox, who had his leg amputated due to cancer, was on a mission to raise awareness and money for cancer research.
Sadly, Fox’s ‘Marathon of Hope’ ended on Sept. 1, 1980, near Thunder Bay, when he announced his cancer had returned and he would have to suspend his cross-country marathon. Fox died on June 28, 1981, but his legacy lives on. The Terry Fox Run, which was first organized in Sept. 1981, has raised more than $900 million.
This year, Terry’s brother, Darrell Fox, continued to build on Terry’s legacy with the Terry Fox Ride of Hope tour, which crossed Canada with seven other cyclists and a support team of eight, including a nurse, mechanic, and a registered massage therapist, as well as an enthusiastic support crew. The entire marathon took them through ten provinces, 13 cities, and countless communities, covering over 7,000 km.
The team took a minute to rest and visit in Florenceville-Bristol on July 6, as Carleton North Mayor Andrew Harvey and local dignitaries, volunteers, and well-wishers welcomed them to their small corner of New Brunswick.
A reception, organized by Gerald Sullivan of the Bath Lions Club, had an appreciative crowd of nearly 60 people.
“The riders… thoroughly enjoyed the fresh fruit, yogurt and chocolate milk served for their nutrition break,” said Sullivan. “We were honoured to have the opportunity to host and support the riders as they continue to raise awareness for cancer research and promote the legacy of Terry Fox. A True Canadian icon.”
“We loved New Brunswick,” said Ride of Hope event coordinator Nikki Rekman. “For many of us, it was our first time here. We heard about the Maritime hospitality, and it’s all true. The stop in Florenceville was wonderful. Gerald and Wendy from the Lions Club did such a good job of gathering people to come and welcome the team in. That will be a memorable stop for sure.”
Tom and Chip Hunter of Hunter Brothers Farm were also on hand to welcome the team. Darrell Fox stopped at the farm ten years ago, on the 35th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope, for the official opening of the Hunter’s crop maze, which was a portrait of Terry Fox, groomed and cut into their giant corn field.
“We met Darrell in 2015,” said Chip. “He officially opened (the maze) in September. He came down and cut the ribbon. We’ve kept in touch over the years.”
“It was great! Marvelous! Very appropriate,” said Fox of the maze.
The ride, which started in Vancouver 28 days before they visited Carleton County, ended in Newfoundland on July 10.
“The ride is going well,” said Rekman, and the time. “The riders are tired. They’re getting so close to the end, but they had another strong day but a long one.”
The stop in Florenceville-Bristol preceded the group’s tour through the world’s longest covered bridge in Hartland, a visit to the giant axe in Nackawic, and a night in Fredericton.
Cyclist Russ McCann loved the scenery.
“I love New Brunswick,” he told the River Valley Sun. “If I wanted to move somewhere else in Canada, it would be here.”
“The ride is a big commitment. Being away from home, family, but Terry did something incredible and that inspires us to be unselfish,” said McCann.
“We are (still) empowered by Terry,” said Darrell. “He leads us. He’s always with us.”
Terry’s legacy also fueled cyclist Charlene Eden.
“It’s been pretty amazing,” said Eden. “It’s easy to keep going when we are keeping Terry’s legacy. It feels like it’s been a rejuvenation…”
After departing Vancouver on June 9, the team had a steep climb over the Rockies and then tackled the prairies.
“The prairies are much harder than you’d think,” said Cyclist Juschka Clarke, referring to the flat expanse of golden fields and farmers’ crops that seem to stretch on forever, from Alberta to Manitoba. “It’s a lot on the body. There is a one or two percent (incline).”
The next big hurdle to cross was Thunder Bay, where Terry ended his Marathon of Hope, and where there is a great memorial and statue of Darrell’s brother.
“Thunder Bay,” said Daryll. “Thunder Bay was hard. Did I cry? I cried. I broke down. I didn’t know if I’d get past that. It was difficult. It was a barrier.”
But they did get past it. With Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick in their rear-view mirrors, the team made their way through New Brunswick to Nova Scotia and finally boarded a ferry bound for Newfoundland to complete the last leg of their long tour.
Exceeding their goal to raise a million dollars, the Ride of Hope concluded at the Terry Fox Monument in St. John’s, Newfoundland. With an emotional reception that included family, the team ended the epic 32-day Ride for Hope.
“I think all around we’re all thrilled about how things went,” said Rekman when reached by the River Valley Sun after the group had reached St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. “The riders and support crew made it safely across the country, which is no small feat… and we surpassed our $1 million fundraising goal and are currently just over $1.1 million – and we’re still hoping to raise more.”
Reflecting on the ride, Rekman stressed how small communities like those in Carleton County stick with her the most.
“The people we met along the way, the communities we visited, and how we were welcomed and supported. Florenceville was one of those, and I’ll be forever grateful for the reception you all gave us.”
Terry Fox, with determination, vision, and willpower, made this all possible with his first step on his Marathon of Hope.
Since 1981, the Terry Fox Foundation and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network have raised over $900 million and funded over 1,300 cancer research projects. Visit TerryFox.org for more on how you can contribute to cancer research.
