Our hearts are broken as we share this critical update about our BMO Ride for Cancer event. Our road and trail routes have been compromised due to the post-tropical storm, and as a result, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the cycling component of this Saturday’s BMO Ride for Cancer event.
Our event routes are along coastal communities that have been severely impacted by the storm and storm surges with significant debris, wash-outs and erosion. With the information we have at this time, we cannot guarantee a safe cycling experience for over 1,300 riders and volunteers.
While we will not ride, we will be coming together in-person to celebrate all you have accomplished and the life-changing impact you’re creating for local cancer patients and families, here at home. This Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we will host our BMO Ride Celebration Festival at Hobsons Lake Drive, Halifax (Event Grounds). We will create an unforgettable experience for our participants and their families, where you’ll receive your event kit and medal, enjoy live music, food, entertainment and much, much more. Our event kit pick-up and opening ceremonies originally scheduled for this Thursday, Sept. 21 will now take place at our BMO Ride Celebration Festival on Saturday, Sept. 23.
We are incredibly disappointed that our BMO Ride event day is not happening as we originally planned. We’re sure you’re disappointed too. We remind ourselves that it’s not about the where or the how, it’s the why….and BMO Ride for Cancer is so much more than a bike ride. Your outstanding fundraising efforts are transforming cancer care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre – and that impact is worth celebrating.
We will be in touch with more details about our BMO Ride Celebration Festival taking place this Saturday, Sept. 23 (10AM to 2PM at Hobsons Lake Drive), and why this is an event you don’t want to miss.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this difficult decision and how it impacts our riders, volunteers, partners, sponsors and more.
Thank you,
~ Your BMO Ride for Cancer team
About our decision
The safety of our BMO Ride community is paramount. Damages from this weekend’s post-tropical storm – coupled with damages from previous flash floodings – have severely compromised parts of our BMO Ride road and trail routes. Our partners, including several Trail Associations and the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, are working diligently to make necessary repairs, however, at this time our BMO Ride for Cancer team cannot guarantee that we can safely execute the cycling component of this event.
Due to debris and damage, sections of our trail route can no longer accommodate the sheer volume of riders; 901 participants on the trail within a 25-kilometre stretch. Road shoulders along coastal areas have also been severely damaged, compromising the safety of riders and the community.
Please know that this decision was not made lightly and is rooted in managing the safety of over 1,300 riders and volunteers. Due to these safety concerns and key logistics, rescheduling the cycling component of this event is not an option.
