The Ontario Ride to Conquer Cancer

Yes, this is for real - each participant commits to raise a minimum of $2500.  The Ride wants commited riders - they put alot of effort, time, expertise, money and commitment to make this happen; they expect the same from the participants.  You may have to be inventive with your fundraising - but you'll do it and you won't be sorry.  This will be one of the most amazing & rewarding experiences of your life.  (Why do you think people come back year after year )  This is my 3rd year to ride and I fundraise all year long.  But there is no way that on June 9th, I'm am not going to be one of the 4000+ riders leaving Exhibition Place.   If your concerned, call the Ride office and talk to your Ride Co-ordiantor.  They are there to help you.  Or just read through the message board; you'll find some great fundraising tips.

We all go through that fear of not making the $2500 but from my experience, the first year is relatively easy.  People are amazed & impressed that your going to do the Ride.  I think it gets more difficult as you do it year after year.  For me, my supporters see how hard I work to 1) reach the $2500 mark, 2) train and 3) how enthusiastic I am about the Ride.  They know that this is something I work extremely hard at.

Perhaps instead of focusing on raising $5000, think of it as having to raise $2500 each.  I know it still comes out to $5000 but there are lots of ways to raise it; like I said, sometimes you just have to be inventive.  You'd be surprised how giving people can be. 

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is definitely a challenge in more ways than successfully crossing that finish line.  But cancer is way more challenging! I'd take the challeges that the Ride offers over it any day.

Stay positive; don't let the negatives in.  You'll probably meet & surpass your goal!

Good luck - I do hope you decide to go forward with this.  You'll be amazed at the support you'll discover. 

Hi @sitnlow;

Your final post is the way it would work.

If you don't hit the minimum, you aren't permitted to ride, but there is no immediate obligation to ante up the shortfall.

The funds you raise (from the first $ to the last, whether you raise $10.00 or $10,000) all go to the Princess Margaret.

There are a number of options if you are close to the goal and still want to ride - I know of several people who did the "delayed self pledge" - which gives them 90 days after the ride to keep fundraising, and if they still haven't hit the minimum, the shortfall is charged to their card.

The other thing to watch out for is that the minimum is $2,500 per rider, not $5,000 for two of you. For example, my son and I are riding this year, and I have to make sure he gets $2,500 in his account or he can't ride - even if between the two of us we get well over $5,000.

Finally - don't stress too much about the fundraising. There are still 6 months to go, and there is lots of time. There are plenty of good fundraising ideas here on the board, and at the ride office. The biggest thing to remember is to ask for money - ask everyone. You aren't asking people to give you money - you're asking them to donate to a wonderful cause. 

This will be my 5th year in the Toronto ride, and my 6th Ride to Conquer Cancer over all - my first year I was terrified of the fundraising (and the riding!) - but I've managed to raise at least $4,000 for every ride I've done, and nearly $6,000 the last two years.

Congratulations on taking the first step in a wonderful journey. Relax and enjoy it.

Kind regards,

Jason

Well no one said it would be easy.... today my wife and i attended the Hamilton orientation. After listening to stories and watching the video, and having a few questions asked, we both signed up on the spot.

So there it is. We both jumped in feet first, and are ready to start this exciting journey. Special thanks to those today in Hamilton, as well as those on these message boards, and well as Patrick Cook for giving us that little bit of reassurance that we can raise the money needed and put us over the hump.

Here we go!!!!!

Very Cool Idea with the Bracelets. Did you have to ask permission to use the  ride website?

It is shocking. I rode in 2010 and didn't think I'd make it. But come ride time, I was a couple of hundred dollars over the minimum.

Hand out donation forms, the letter of participation, make up the business cards. Paperclip them and hand them out, mail them out. You'd be surprised at how it helps.

I have to raise the money and replace the bike stolen after my ride. And I'll do it. You can do this. There's all kinds of good advice on this board, I promise you.