On a cool late-summer morning, 61 cyclists set out from the Oxtongue Lake Community Centre for a ride into Algonquin Park – some planning to ride all the way across it – and back. They came for different reasons: some to honour the memory of their friend, Mark Reid; some because they thought it was a great cause. All were enthusiastic to get on the road for a beautiful ride.
Lake of Bays residents Sharon Wallace, Steve Meadley and Heather Meadley didn’t know lawyer Mark Reid, who the ride is named for. They heard about the ride through friends and media and thought it sounded like a great idea. “We are training to do a ride through Thailand in October,” said Sharon. “We are going to ride 1100 kilometres from Bangkok down to Phuket so we need to get some long rides in. We thought this is a perfect combination – it’s supporting a good cause and it’s giving us a chance to do a long ride supported by a group and with other people.”
Leeanne Leduc and Ted Williams both did the ride in its inaugural year and returned this year “to ride in memory of my friend Mark Reid and keep his memory alive,” said Leeanne.
“It’s a neat idea they have set up with the scholarship,” added Ted. “It’s nice to do something to keep Mark’s memory alive and do something positive for a lucky person or persons attending law school.” He said he planned to ride until his legs give out. “It’ll be a painful ride back,” he laughed.
Mark’s friend Jolene Theriault was there to support the cause, even though she isn’t able to ride anymore. Her partner Lindsay Rothwell was riding in her place.
“Mark was a really good friend,” said Jolene. “He was one of my favourite people to ride with – I haven’t been able to ride in a few years but I’m here to support the cause. We’ll do whatever we can to help. Mark was an awesome guy and his spirit’s still alive.”
Bob Barrett and Gerry Buy came out to support the cause, even though they didn’t know Mark.
They were riding “because we don’t know any better,” joked Gerry and then clarified, “I’m riding because he’s riding.”
“And I’m riding because I think it’s a worthy cause,” said Bob. “Any time we get a chance to ride for a good cause we usually do it. We’re hoping for 90k maximum. With the wind it will probably be something less than that.”
Organizer Tracy Christian was thrilled with the turnout for the first official year of the ride. Last year’s ride was organized quickly shortly after Mark’s death. “It has exceeded my expectations. Lots of last minute people signed up and I am so excited to have a beautiful day. What a great start to getting funds for next year’s scholarship recipient. Mark would have been thrilled.”
All of the funds raised at the ride will go to one or two Muskoka students studying law in the 2017-18 school year. The first recipient of the Mark’s Ride scholarship was Bonnie Greenaway, who received the funds at a presentation on August 21.
For more information about Mark’s Ride and the scholarship visit marksride.ca.
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