Barry Butler admits he’s way too interested in the long-range weather forecast these days.
He’s getting ready to participate in his fourth Wheel2Heal bike ride on May 6 to raise money for the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation. After pedalling his way through the coldest, wettest, snowiest and gloomiest winter and early spring in recent memory, Butler says he’s developed an unnatural affection for Gore-Tex and layering. He’s ready to ride in some sunshine.
Charlene Giovanetti-King shares his hope.
Wheel2Heal is the major annual fundraiser for the Foundation, pulling in about $100,000-$125,000. That money is used to buy equipment and support programs the hospital needs to serve its more than 100,000 patients annually. More importantly, says Giovanetti-King, it promotes a pro-active message about the benefits of exercise and good health, so people don’t become patients.
“It’s a type of activity for any age,” says Giovanetti-King. “It’s a way to get people to get out, stay active and live long, healthy lives.”
In a season already crowded with countless long-distance “Fondo” rides and fundraisers, Wheel2Heal stands out because it’s so early in the cycling calendar, says Giovanetti-King. But this year, that’s presented a bit of a challenge as the weather has kept all but the hardiest cyclists off the wet and icy roads and muddy trails.
No worries, says Giovanetti-King. Wheel2Heal offers rides for every level of fitness, from 15km and 40km trail courses for occasional and recreational cyclists to a 100km road route for hard-core enthusiasts testing their spring legs; but fear not if the base-mileage is lacking, there’s also a 60km shortcut.
Butler, who’s participating in the 40km trail ride, says he tried not to let the miserable weather slow his preparation. He just kept buying more waterproof clothing and adding more warm layers. He also rode the stationary trainer, sometimes for hours at a time in front of shopping centres as part of his fundraising effort.
To participate in the ride, each cyclist must raise at least $250 in addition to their registration fee. Butler says after collecting $500 in pledges in each of his previous rides, he decided to double his goal for this year. When he reached that to become a Wheel2Heal “Hero” he doubled it again. To help him attain his new $2,000 goal, he’ll be on the trainer again on April 29, in front of the Pinetree Save-On Foods grocery story.
Butler says his public training efforts are as much about connecting with people and hearing their stories about the hospital.
“People are very grateful,” he says. “People take the hospital for granted until they need it.”
And to keep providing vital services, the hospital needs people; about 70 per cent of new equipment at Eagle Ridge Hospital is purchased with funds raised by the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation.
That’s all the motivation he needs, says Butler. “If I try a little harder, then it will really help the hospital.”
Come more rain, or shine.
To learn more about the Wheel2Heal ride, register as a cyclist or volunteer, go to http://www.wheeltoheal.ca
