Ride to Conquer Cancer

Why sixteen agents from Dexter Realty strapped on their helmets, picked up their bikes and set out on a 225-260 kilometer journey to conquer cancer.

As a brokerage, Dexter Realty works hard to set a standard for supporting our Lower Mainland communities and doing our part, especially when it comes to those causes closest to our hearts. 

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is one of those causes. 

Entering its 11th year, the Ride to Conquer Cancer—formerly a bicycle ride from Vancouver to Seattle—now journeys from Vancouver to Hope.

Dexter has proudly participated in the Ride every single year. 

Most of our red-wearing Dexter team, taking time for a photo at the last stop on Day Two.

This year sixteen of our agents and managing brokers rode for the cause from August 24th to 25th 2019. Our team is Riders for Ryders, captained by Jimi Brockett, and our members included: Cathie Cline, Connie McGinley, Jeremy Alexander, David Peerless, Frank Crudo, Jimi Brockett, Kevin Banno, Kevin Skipworth, Louis Dupuis, Marcus Maia, Marilou Appleby, Newell Cotton, Scott Evans, Spence Cotton, Sharon Wayman, and Sue Godlonton.

When our team set out on August 24th, they’d already raised $54,015.00 for the cause. By the time they reached the finish line, they’d raised a total of $62,000.00. 

Kevin Skipworth and Cathie Cline, starting the ride all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Most of our team, including Kevin Skipworth and Cathy Cline, followed the “Classic Route”—a 225 km journey. Starting in Cloverdale at 7AM Saturday morning, they rode until they reached Chilliwack, where they camped for the night. From there, Dexter’s riders continued to Hope and Sunday’s finish line.

The route for each day of the ride.

Riders for Ryders’ flock of red jerseys on the road.

However, a couple of our riders wanted to go the extra mile—literally. President David Peerless and agent Marcus Maia took the “Challenge Route,” which stretches for 260km and takes those determined riders through the Lower Mainland’s hinterland.

Marcus Maia (left) and David Peerless (right), about to tackle the Challenge Route.

So who exactly are the Riders for Ryders, and how did Dexter get involved? 

Our team captain, Jimi Brocket, lost his son Ryder to cancer in 2009. At the time, he owned Sharpey’s Cycles and had been contacted by the BC Cancer Foundation about renting his cycle shop for the Ride. That call sparked in Jimi the need to conquer the 225 kilometer ride in support his son and all others fighting to survive. (Grab some tissues and read the full story here.) Since that first year, Riders for Ryders has continued to grow, with local businesses and teams joining forces. When Jimi joined Dexter Realty, we folded our team into Jimi’s. And ever since then, we’ve donned the red jerseys and ridden out as Riders for Ryders. 

Since forming in 2009, Riders for Ryders has raised close to 4 million dollars in rides across Canada, with $3.9M overall and $2.7M going to BC Cancer Foundation.

By the time our team reached the municipality of Hope (the aptly named finish line) at the end of day two, the sun was setting and legs were begging for a break. But our riders couldn’t be happier. Not only had they finished the grueling two-day ride, they knew they’d made a difference. 

Sometimes road signs mark more than a spot on a map.

Why Dexter rides

President David Peerless will be the first to speak to how no one in Dexter’s family has remained untouched by cancer. We’ve lost Dexter agents to cancer, and their loss has left its mark. The cause hits close to home for everyone. We all know someone affected by the disease—our own Sharon Wayman  is a cancer survivor. That’s why so many of our agents, alongside our Managing Brokers, take part in the ride. We do it for our colleagues, loved ones and peers—for those we’ve lost to cancer, those who’ve defeated it, and those who continue to fight.

No matter what the weather throws, Dexter’s riders turn up. We ride through torrential rain, wind storms, and heat waves. And every year we come back for more, because we know our efforts make a difference.

The sea of riders making a difference through the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Since David Peerless started us on this journey in 2009, Dexter has raised over $500,000 for cancer research!

We tip our hats (or should that be helmets?) to this year’s team of sixteen. Especially to Sharon Wayman, who was named the 2019 Riders for Ryder’s MVP. She took a hard fall on the first day, but in true Sharon fashion, she didn’t give up—keeping going until she’d reached the finish line on day two.

Sharon Wayman, riding on despite her injury, with her yellow flag signifying her as a cancer survivor.

Get ready, 2020, Dexter’s team is already training!

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Dexter’s commitment to community work and fundraising for cancer research means we’re well acquainted with the BC Cancer Foundation, the fundraising partner of BC Cancer. It matters to us that every dollar raised through the Ride to Conquer Cancer goes to BC Cancer, where they use it to advance research and enhance care for the people of our province.

If you’d like to learn more about the BC Cancer Foundation or support the cause, please go to their website here.