Three years ago Quentin Gordon made a promise to himself and his sister: every year he would do the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
"I wanted to honour my sister's memory," said Gordon of Nola.
She died on June 12, four days before her 48th birthday.
Months later, in August, he would be cycling the grueling trip from Vancouver to Seattle.
Nevermind that he'd rarely ridden a bike.
"(Compared to) people battling cancer, it's a small thing to ride even 200 and 300 km," said Gordon, who is 48 this year.
When his big sister's best friend Karin Piche said she wanted to organize a Prince George team, she asked Gordon to be a sponsor.
He refused, opting to join the Wheelin' Warriors instead.
He's one of three Prince George team members who have come out every year and he'll be at the team's upcoming Father's Day fundraiser, the Group Ride-athon.
"I'm always going to do it," said the Prince George dentist.
"It's hard to ride and not get emotional on the ride. You're with your thoughts."
Last year he rode for his mother, who died of cancer just six months after Nola.
"It was a pretty tough year. It's difficult because that was basically my whole family. My sister and my mum is basically who I grew up with," he said.
"Now when you're the sole survivor of the family you just try to live your life the best you can. I'm grateful for being alive."
This year Gordon rides for his father-in-law, who was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago and has survived.
"This year I'm trying to focus on the survivors," said Gordon, who said one of his favourite parts of the ride is seeing the participants with yellow flags who are now cancer free and often share their stories along the way.
More survivors alive to share their stories is the ultimate objective.
"The more money that goes to the charity the better chance there will be a cure," said Gordon.
The goal is to raise $10,000 at the second annual indoor Group Ride-athon out of this year's goal of $150,000. So far, the team has raised almost $170,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation.
Next Sunday's fundraiser at The Movement in College Heights invites the community to be a warrior for the day and sign up for 30 or 60 minute ride experiences by donation.
While all the biking will go on indoors, Piche plans to fill the parking lot with activities, outdoor entertainment and a barbeque.
"It's a carnival like atmosphere," said Piche. "It's a family fundraiser."
The Movement is donating the space and the equipment, so every donation goes straight to the cancer foundation, she said.
Even "wee" warriors can ride, giving kids an outlet to support the cause, Piche said.
The ride-athon is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Movement in College Heights, and participants can register online at:
www.themovementgroupfitness.com.
