CIBC 401 Bike Challenge

Here is an article I wrote for The Westmount Examiner on the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge. Participants biked from Toronto to Montreal in 3 days to raise money for children with cancer. Unfortunately, the Westmount Examiner has since closed down, so I'm posting the story here.

August 10, 2011

The CIBC 401 3-day Bike Challenge begins Wednesday where 26 cyclists will ride from Toronto to Montreal to raise money for children battling cancer at the Montreal Children’s Hospital as well as Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital.

Gerald Wiviott is one of the many intrepid riders to take on this year’s bike challenge. A 70-year-old psychiatrist from the Allan Memorial Institute, Wiviott embarks on his second year of the ride and looks forward to this experience with renewed fervour.

“Last year, I signed up for the 401 because I thought of it as a cycling challenge,” he said.  “After doing so, I met somebody I work with and discovered that her daughter was in fact treated on Sarah’s ward. This year when I signed up to do the ride again, it was to a large extent to continue being an active supporter of that project.”

The CIBC 401 Bike Challenge began in 2005 when CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisor and Vice-President Gene Piccoli decided to give back to the community after his wife had successfully battled cancer. Since then, the number of cyclists, as well as the number of donations, has steadily risen. To date, the Bike Challenge has raised over $230,000 for the Sarah Cook Fund, an organisation created to help children with cancer have a better living experience while at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

Geoff Farnsworth is the bike challenge events coordinator. He has been involved with this project for over four years.

“There are so many rides now and they’re all kind of representative of the challenge that people face,” he said. “Ninety-four percent of our proceeds go to the patients. While some of the other rides take on management companies, we are grass roots. We understand that people’s money is hard earned and if they donate a hundred bucks, we want 94 of those bucks to go directly to the cause, not 75.”

Wiviott has inspired people with his boundless energy and determination. His age has caused many to sit back and look upon him with wonder. “He is one of the strongest riders we have,” said Farnsworth.  “He’s amazing. There aren’t a lot of people like Gerry.”

Wiviott on the other hand, is humble. “I don’t think of my age until someone mentions it,” he said. “I’m a specimen and I guess that’s good. I don’t mind representing something, whether I’m doing work as a psychotherapist, or whether I’m riding with people who feel it’s inspiring to ride with somebody who’s old,” he chuckled.

This ride is two-fold, according to him. “First, it is a wonderful cause,” he said.  “People can feel that when they’re raising money for this ride, it’s going to help the people we say it’s going to help. Second, it provides a focus for getting in shape. Cycling is such a great exercise for people who are getting older. There is less strain on the joints and if you do it with a certain intensity, then it’s a terrific cardiovascular sport.”

This 576km ride begins on Wednesday in Toronto and ends at the Montreal Children`s Hospital on Friday, August 12, where there will be refreshments by Juicy Lotus, a concert by the band Swerving Buffoon and speeches by CIBC sponsors and riders as well as a word from Sarah Cook, the inspiration for the fund. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the homecoming festivities, which will begin at noon on Friday. For more information on the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge, visit their website at: http://401bikechallenge.info.