'Bikers' face off in Ride for Dad

[totalmotorcycle]

'Bikers' face off in Ride for Dad
By Jonathan Wilson - The Chronicle-Journal
May 05, 2005





Barry Midgley never guessed he’d be on the receiving end of the charity he’d been supporting for the past four years.

“Any day somebody says you have the C-word, it’s a day when your heart drops,” he said.

Midgley spoke publicly Wednesday about his bout with cancer at the launch of this year’s Bell Motorcycle Ride for Dad being held June 18. He’s participated in the ride since it began in 2001, raising money and awareness about prostate cancer.

Then eight months ago, he was part of a study group at the Northwestern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre and found out he was in the early stages of the disease. Fortunately, the success rate for surgery and treatment at that stage is high, and Midgley now calls himself a cancer-clean, healthy man.

The event takes place the day before Father’s Day and includes a Roar for the Cure parade and poker run.

Chairman Bernie Blake said seeing 250 motorcycles rumbling and rolling down Memorial Avenue is a sight to behold.

The event has raised $195,000 in the last four years. Members of two local motorbike clubs, the Retreads, and HOG (Harley Owner’s Group), are challenging each other and the public to raise up to $100,000 in pledges in 2005.

“I was just totally tickled pink,” said Blake. “if anybody can pull it off . . . it’s those two groups.”

Northern Cancer Research Foundation president Glenn Craig said the money goes to three areas — research, treatment, and education and awareness.

“Men don’t talk about things south of the belt,” said Craig.

The foundation’s goal is to bring the subject of prostate cancer out of the closet.

It’s estimated that one in eight men will suffer from the disease in their lifetime, and all men over 50 are encouraged to get tested.

The recent campaigns, Take it like a Man, and Plumbing Problems?, have helped get the word out. But Midgley said there are many more men who aren’t convinced they should get the test.

“Men are like ostriches,” he said, “they like to stick their heads in the sand and they think it will go away, and they’re doing themselves no favour.”

Bell representative Chris Bell said that five years ago, people rarely heard about prostate cancer.

“Now I’m forcing family and friends to get tested,” said Bell.

Midgley said that thanks to his treatment, he’ll be back in the motorcycle parade and poker run this year, riding his Yamaha Virago.

Blake is encouraging riders to wear blue ribbons, which are emblematic of the fight against prostate cancer.

The parade begins at The Keg restaurant at 9:45 a.m. on June 18. Riders can pre-register at a barbecue on May 14 at Halfway Motors.