The Great Bucket List Cycle is back this month as a fundraiser for the ARCH community hospice, and the country roads, scenic views and variety of terrain of St. Joseph Island await those looking to challenge themselves.
There's also the opportunity to ride in the fundraiser's 100-km Gran Fondo, along with 70 km, 40 km, and 20 km options.
With matching funds provided by Catalyst Fitness & Nutrition for the first $10,000 in pledges, the day will also include a meal provided by Copper Bean, swag bags for the participants, prizes for top individual and team pledgers, and live music by Matthew James at the Centennial Grounds.
You can register for this year's ride at www.archhospice.ca/cycle.
You can also read the full release below for more on the ride and its impact:
The Great Bucket List Cycle is back for another amazing year, and we are thrilled to be able to celebrate together!
We are thrilled to have another amazing year of The Great Cycle Bucket List at St. Joseph Island with tons of cyclists, loads of fun, a meal provided by Copper Bean, swag bags for the participants, prizes for our top individual and team pledgers, live music by Matthew James and fun activities at Centennial Grounds.
Join us on Sunday, Aug. 25, on St. Joseph Island, where cyclists will band together and cycle in support of ARCH Hospice!
This event will include our Gran Fondo of 100 km, along with a 70 km, 40 km, and 20 km option!
We would like to thank Catalyst Fitness & Nutrition who are matching the first $10,000 in pledges! We are so grateful for the love and support we receive from the community. If you’d like to sponsor this event please visit archhospice.ca/cycle.
Alicia Sawyer enters her third year participating in ARCH Hospice’s The Great Bucket List Cycle.
"In 2022, I completed my first 100km ride and was able to fundraise a generous amount for ARCH. It was a great feeling to successfully finish the ride, especially with all the climbs the hilly St. Joe’s Island roads have to offer. In 2023, I decided to sign up again and that the Great Bucket List Cycle would be an annual tradition.
"Having the 100km ride ahead at the end of August encourages me to get several miles on my bike each summer in preparation and also ensures that I make time to attend some of the group rides and network with our amazing local cycling community. I encourage those that would like to give the ride a try but just aren’t sure they could do the distance to challenge yourself.
"What better way to support a wonderful cause while crossing off a major accomplishment from your bucket list with a century cycle. I promise you the experience is very rewarding and you will meet many amazing active community members along the way.”
This ride is for all ages and levels of cyclists, and ages – join as a whole family! Our goal is for each cyclist to either donate or raise at least $1/km. All proceeds raised go towards providing quality compassionate end-of-life care at ARCH, and to local families!
The map of the route is available on the website. You can help ARCH by sponsoring, cycling, or volunteering!
St. Joseph Island is a hidden gem for outdoor sports, with a tremendous appeal for cyclists due to its open country roads, beautiful scenic views of Lake Huron, a great view of Fort St. Joseph, and a variety of terrains for those looking to challenge themselves.
The majority of the roads are surface-treated and traffic is typically minimal, creating the perfect conditions for cycling!
There will also be Angel Stations with refreshments, restrooms, repair kits, first aid kits, and water.
Julie Premo, manager of operations, shares why this event is so important: “Your support through this event means ARCH can continue to support those in our community for years to come. This ride is very important to me, as my 15-year-old son Evan and I will ride 100 km in honour of all those that have touched my life through my work at Hospice. I have recently lost a loved one at Hospice and having ARCH in our community is extremely meaningful to me. Thank you for your ongoing support.”
It’s not too late to join! To register for this year's ride, please visit www.archhospice.ca/cycle. If you’re interested in helping out in other ways, please contact us at (705)-942-1556.
It’s not a race, it’s a journey! ARCH looks forward to this challenging, family-fun event and we’re so excited to see you all on St. Joseph Island on Aug. 25!