With more than 600 cyclists, 46 teams and 37 families registered, before the first pedal has even turned, it's already a record-breaking year for the seventh annual Ride for Hope 100 mile bike-a-thon which will be held on Saturday, April 14 in Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera.
But when kickstands are raised tomorrow at 8:30 a.m., the riders, from the littlest riders to the more veteran cyclists, comprising this record-breaking field do so knowing that they are pedaling to support breast cancer initiatives. And, there is nothing quite like cycling along the hilly shores of Eleuthera with the wind at your back and the ocean in sight according to cancer survivor Ken Chaplin who has ridden in the bike-a-thon since its debut seven years ago.
"Being a cancer survivor made this event a way to support the Cancer Society, but as the years went on I began to see it as a way to improve my fitness and health," said Ken Chaplin. "I am glad that I do this annually and challenge myself to meet new goals from year to year. It's really encouraging for so many other people to be involved, be it as a means to support family members with the disease or just for a charitable cause. It's also really great to see how family oriented the event continues to be. From hotshot riders to kiddies on their tricycles, it is really a lot of fun. And there are other activities to keep us all excited over the day of riding."
Adults have the option of riding anywhere from 10 to 100 miles. Kiddie cyclists will participate in the short seven mile ride from Bayfront Park to Cupid's Cay and back where they will then be able to engage in events like a bouncing castle, rock wall, tiger slide and enjoy things like free ice cream. Adult riders who are young at heart won't be left out because they will be able to enjoy treats on the park at the completion of their ride and native food and drinks will be available throughout the day.
The park will be outfitted in cultural decorations and local artisans will display their work. So whether one is riding or not, the day of fun and festivities surrounding the Ride for Hope event will be worth the trip to Eleuthera.
To ensure the safety of the hundreds of cyclists in the ride there will be seven health stations along the route which stretches from Governor's Harbor to the North Eleuthera airport. Each station will have health professionals, and food and drink to sustain cyclists for the duration of their ride.
While many people may not be up for the actually cycling part of the event, organizers say there will be lots to do for people that just want to attend the event for a weekend on Eleuthera.
Ride for Hope, which was founded by Stephen Holowesko and Susan Larson, has attracted hundreds of riders annually since its inception and their participation and donations have contributed to the $1.7 million that has been earned to date. Last year, $400,000 was raised at the event. They hope to top that mark this year.
"Cancer is a disease that affects all families and people. It is hard to find a single person not affected by it - be it a loved one, friend or associate. What makes supporting events like this even more critical is that sadly in The Bahamas we have a high percentage of women with breast cancer," said Holowesko. "So it is important to maintain programs that help the local population with cancer and those who don't know about it aware of it. We are hoping to raise as much as we did last year, but with the economy and election season, there is no saying what will happen. Even so the support we have gotten and continue get is a great thing for cancer awareness, treatment and prevention. This will really be a healthy, fun and educational weekend," he said.
Due to consistent corporate support that covers the cost of the bike ride, Holowesko said every dollar that is earned goes directly to cancer related initiatives.
"Throughout the years we have established programs like Family Island Mammogram Examinations, which pays for women from the Family Islands to come up to New Providence to get mammograms. This program has treated over 600 women in the three years it has been in use," said Holowesko.
Other programs Ride for Hope supports are a Cancer Society initiative which sends a nurse to Family Islands to do ongoing education on cancer awareness and treatment options as well as a cancer care support program for persons in need of financial help to pay for cancer treatments.
Holowesko anticipates Ride for Hope will continue to grow and more will be able to be done to directly help more people affected by cancer.

Event Schedule
Friday, April 13
6 p.m. -- Ride for Hope Fish Fry in Governor's Harbour

Saturday, April 14
7 a.m. -- Continental breakfast at staging area
7:45 a.m. -- Group photo
8:30 a.m. -- 100-milers start

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