No rain dances were needed to keep the sun shining on the sixth annual Ride 4 The Cure Sunday.
Despite dire forecasts of wet stuff falling, none of the more than 100 riders on 80 bikes who gathered in front of Harley Davidson of Prince George needed their rain gear. The good weather followed them on their ride to Purden Mountain resort and back.
Retired firefighter Rick Brown never needs an excuse to get on the road with his Harley. But knowing the proceeds were going to support the Prince George Rotary Hospice House, Sunday's fundraiser was a can't-miss event.
"Most of the people who have come out have some person they know or themselves dealing with cancer and that's the whole show," said Brown. "It's rampant. Twenty years ago it was hard to find anybody who had any direct impact with cancer and now it's really hard to anybody that's not.
"My sister, my mom, my two aunties had breast cancer and a friend of mine, 32 years old, she got it and they got it too late and she ended up dying. It happens to anybody, it doesn't matter how old."
Brown says its the people he meets during the ride that keeps him coming back and the message of awareness the event brings makes it that much more worthwhile.
"This is a wakeup call to a lot of women to get tested every couple years," said Brown. "Men get tested for prostate cancer after you turn 40.
"I'm kind of lucky," he smiled. "My doctor has small hands."
Event organizer Nycole Ross said the previous five cancer rides raised money for the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation to fund patient workshops and pay for a biopsy gun. This year the donations will pay for futons for family members of the hospice guests.
"It's place to die in dignity," said Ross.
The event was sponsored by several local businesses which provided door prizes. Riders donated to the cause when they registered and also contributed to a 50/50 draw. All proceeds were given to the Prince George Rotary Hospice House.
"My sister [Germaine Cotterhill] passed away three years ago in hospice and it was the most loving, caring place in the world -- she was there for two months and I'm so glad she spent her last days there," said event photographer Tina Garlick, the self-proclaimed "carry-on bag" on the back of husband Carlyle's Harley.
