Memories of Big Bike

British Columbia

Cascades Casino Shows Their Team Spirit
One of the Surrey Area Office’s greatest successes in 2011 was the Big Bike Event in Langley. The event raised a total of $33,317.09 from 9 teams riding that day. It was a fantastic event with so many enthusiastic teams. One team in particular that brought tons of team spirit to the event that day was the Cascades Casino team. They decided to have a bit of a friendly competition among themselves by filling two bikes with each bike trying to raise the most money for the Foundation. At the end they raised a total of $14,112.29 and had a great time riding the bike. In 2012, they are considering being the host site in Langley and are determined to surpass their last year’s total.

CCCU Coastal Cruisers Cruise to Success
CCCU Coastal Cruisers have made a HUGE impact in the two years that they’ve been participating in Big Bike in Nanaimo. With a dedicated captain and team, they’ve risen all the way to the top and are the top fundraiser for all of Central/North Vancouver Island. With a full bike of 29 riders, they raised $6991.75! They are also the Spirit Award winners in Nanaimo! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT! We can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2012.

TECK Celebrates 10 Years with the Heart & Stroke Big Bike
Congratulations to TECK for ten years supporting the Big Bike! Over the past 10 years they have given it their all and raised more than $93,000! With a team name change, “The Leadfoots” got the lead out this year and showed that they truly do have “Hearts of Gold”. In this milestone year, they are also celebrating being the TOP fundraising team in the whole Coastal Vancouver Area. The Heart and Stroke Foundation extends a huge thank-you to TECK for their continued, kind and generous support.

A Hearty Welcome Aboard to the NAVY
This year CFB Esquimalt and the Royal Canadian Navy came out in full force for the Big Bike with 6 teams: HMCS Regina, HMCS Winnipeg, Base Construction Engineers, HMCS Victoria/Calgary, Naval Tender Section & NOTC Venture. Although online fundraising was out of the question for a few of these teams since accessing wireless signals out at sea can be a challenge, these groups came up with innovative ways to make sure they produced good coin. A Beard-A-Thon, pay-to-play games and engine shaft contests are just a few of the innovative internal fundraising ideas they came up with.

To make the Big Bike even more fun, all of the Navy teams agreed to challenge each other to see which team could raise the most money. It was a tight competition! In the end, HMCS Regina came out on top with over $3,600.00 raised for life saving heart and stroke research. Altogether, the Navy brought in an amazing $14,642. Every team showcased great energy and enthusiasm even bringing it to the next level by showing up with mascots and flags, getting their own Big Bike shirts printed and supplying their own music for the ride. The Victoria Heart and Stroke office is extremely excited to have their help with this important campaign. There are already whispers of the Navy Challenge expanding to even more teams next year. A big thank you goes out to all of the Big Bike captains, riders, and especially Captain Craig Baines, Captain Cedric Steele and Vicki Laidlaw without whom we couldn’t have made this happen.

Century Group and South Delta Ride Prove that Community Spirit is What Matters Most
It has often been thought that the Big Bike event does best in larger communities where there are lots of bigger companies with lots of employees to draw upon to pull together Big Bike teams. But the communities of South Delta and the Property management company, Century Group, proved that theory all wrong.

The Richmond Area Office had long been reluctant to try a Big Bike event in South Delta because of the relatively small size of the communities of Ladner and Tsawwassen and the fact that these are predominately residential rather than large business communities. But thanks to the eagerness and support of local newspaper, The South Delta Leader, to bring the Big Bike to South Delta, we gave it a try in 2009. The result was overwhelming.

What South Delta may lack in terms of large employers it more than makes up for in community spirit! The event was planned as a half-day (morning) as a trial in its first year, with a goal of having 4 teams ride. But due to the overwhelming response, teams had to be turned away when the morning quickly filled up with 6 enthusiastic teams.

And none was more enthusiastic than the team from Century Group. Despite only having a total of about 40 local employees, they filled all 29 seats on their bike. They also had everyone on the team register online (the only team to do so), and it obviously paid off. Century Group had the greatest success of any team in the Richmond area raising $6,940 online, and, incredibly in its first year, a total of $12,475 overall - the most money raised by any one team in the history of the Richmond area office!

And despite the fact that it rained on the South Delta ride morning, you couldn't dampen the spirits of any of these teams. Together they raised an incredible $28,341 in just 3 ½ hours time and had a great time doing it! So it just goes to show you it's not the size of the community or the company that guarantees Big Bike success but the size of their hearts. And the teams of South Delta have proven that theirs are immense!

With the Heart of a Lion!
In 2009 the Tumbler Ridge Lion’s Club boarded the Big Bike for the 3rd year ready to make it bigger and better than ever. When Captain Claudette Huber approached her team with a goal of over $8000 the Prince George Area Office was blown away.

The team decided to call themselves "Lions Heart" and with the strength and courage of 29 lions they managed to raise over $8400 in their community of only 3000 people! After the ride the Lion’s club arranged a barbeque with all proceeds going towards the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The food was great, the friends were plenty and they raised another $250 in one hour! The team spirit and community support were absolutely amazing and we can’t wait to see what they do this year! Great job Lions!

RE/MAX and Royal LePage both came out with 29 riders full of enthusiasm and together their heartfelt challenge raised over $ 6000! This was the first year riding for both teams and the first time on the bike for almost everyone! The challenge will remain for next year and hopefully for years to come, with both teams eager to ride!

Port Alberni goes over the top for Big Bike!
The community of Port Alberni pulled together this year to create a phenomenal result for Heart&Stroke Big Bike 2009. With six new teams, over $15,900 was raised! This is two and a half times more than their 15 year average! While the resource-based community may be feeling the effects of the economy, that did not dampen spirits as team captains recruited riders and team members got busy raising pledges and pulling together costumes. Online fundraising was a big hit in the Alberni Valley, with 25% of their funds raised through online pledge requests! Way to go, Port Alberni!

Remax Crest put their hearts into it
Jeff Dennis and his team of Realtors from Remax Crest definitely know how to put their hearts into it. This was Remax Crest's first year to have a Big Bike team on the North Shore, although Jeff had previously been a Team Captain before. Jeff was very keen from the start, constantly after his fellow workers to join the team and get busy with online fundraising. This is exactly what the team did. Almost all of the riders signed up online and got the word out to friends, family and colleagues that they were involved in this very FUN Fundraising event. $6560 total was what they raised online!

May 15th was a beautiful sunny day at the Village at Park Royal in West Vancouver. The Remax Cycle Maniacs were there with their red team shirts ready to go!

Remax Crest won the spirit award for the West Vancouver ride day and also were the very first to sign up a team for 2010! We look forward to seeing the sea of red Remax shirts again at Park Royal as they gear up to meet and exceed their fundraising this year.

Big Support for Big Mike
During the Spring of 2009, Mike Oddy of Golden and his family were devastated to learn that he would have to travel to Calgary to undergo a series of very serious surgeries. Upon learning of this, the town of Golden mobilized. Everybody pitched in to help in whatever way that they could. Michael's cousin, Daniello Huxley decided to do something for Mike that would remind him that all of his friends and family were thinking of him. They decided to participate in Golden's wildly successful annual Big Bike festivities, name their team after Mike and ride in his honour. They hooted and hollered through the streets of Golden, shouting Mike’s name while they raised funds and awareness for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Big Mike and his friends and family showed their hearts are as Golden as their town!

Ontario

Extendicare helps to Extend Lives!
Extendicare put together a full bike of 29 participants for their first Big Bike event in August 2011. Team Captain and fitness coordinator, Luci Hubbard rallied to honor their Manager who suffered from a heart attack recently. With a new outlook on life and dedicated to maintain his health, Bill Moffatt was not only the team’s top fundraiser but the reason why his team decided to work hard to raise an amazing $4195!!! Together, Luci, Bill and the Extendicare team showed an amazing team spirit and will continue to celebrate their dedication to helping people live better lives.

York South Volunteers have Big Hearts!
When the York South office decided to add two additional event days to their 2011 schedule, one of our key event volunteers stepped forward to initiate a Big Bike team. Gabriela Altamirano has volunteered at the York South office for over a year and was crucial to the success of many event days throughout the season. Knowing that she had a number of friends that she had made while volunteering, she decided to rally to gather a group of energetic and enthusiastic participants. The team demonstrated that York South volunteers truly have heart and raised an amazing $2400.88!!!!

1Shopping Cart team raises $2,406.55 and signs up 29 riders in 4 days for Barrie Big Bike.
Web Rider's team, 1Shopping Cart, has been the fastest team to ever sign up for Big Bike in Barrie with 29 riders. Not only that, but they also fundraised $2,406.55 in 4 days... Amazing! This team has had personal experiences with heart attacks within their company, and this event touched close to home for them. Team captain, Sheila Stone, deserves huge recognition for bringing together 29 riders in four days, and getting them to fundraise like crazy! This team showed passion and excellence with their efforts. Its teams like this one that brings hope and success to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Curves Stouffville has heart!
On May 13th the ladies from Curves in Stouffville participated in the big bike event and truly put their heart into it! The team was full with 29 enthusiastic riders and despite the rainy weather demonstrated the most team spirit of the day! The team quickly surpassed their fundraising goal and eventually raised $6,200!! Amazing considering this was their first year riding!! Not only were they the highest fundraising team of the day, they were the highest online fundraising team in Stouffville- they also won the team spirit award! Many of the riders had a personal connection to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and you certainly could see that when they were on the bike! Thank you to the team captain and participants for making the Curves Creations so amazing !

Swiss Chalet Crusaders celebrate 10 years of Big Bike riding!
Wanda Bishop, Team Captain for the Swiss Chalet Crusaders in Keswick truly puts her heart into riding the Big Bike every year. Wanda has been the team captain for the last 10 years and every year she recruits Swiss Chalet staff, customers and even the Mayor of Keswick to ride on her team! Over the past 10 years the Swiss Chalet Crusaders have raised over $30,000! It is community supporters like Wanda that makes the biggest impact, by continuing her support and advocacy for the need to participate in the BIG BIKE the Heart & Stroke Foundation is able to continue their research work on heart disease and stroke as well as bringing awareness of the importance of heart health to our communities. Thank you Wanda for your continued support, you have truly helped to save lives through your tremendous support!

Peek-a-Boo Has Heart
This year the staff at Peek-a-Boo Day Care in Newmarket participated in the Big Bike for Stroke on May 1st. This was the first time for many to ride the big bike and they had an incredible time - one to remember! The Staff sold paper hearts to parents at the day care to help raise money and in total the team raised over $3,000! The team had demonstrated the most team spirit of the day, with a theme and matching t-shirts! Not only were they the highest fundriasers they also won the Team Spirit Award!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ON TEAM PEEK-A-BOO FOR PUTTING YOUR HEARTS INTO THE BIG BIKE!!

WALLY GIVES BACK TO THE HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION
The big bike tries to stay away from steep inclines however, Wallys Wheels from Lindsay has been on a steady steep incline of raising funds since 1st riding the Big Bike in 2004. Lindsay is 1 of the 5 Big Bike Event locations under the Peterborough Area Office. This year Wally’s team raised an amazing $8,780.00! The team captain Wally Nugent raised $2124.00 himself.

His business Wallys Haircutting looks like a Big Bike Museum. Captain shirts, team shirts, team pictures, spirit awards, banners adorn the walls. In 7 short years his team has raised.....a drum roll please ... $41,142.73.

I asked Wally how his team got started, this was his reply:
When I had a quadruple bypass in Dec. 2002 the community was great to me and my family. I decided to give back every chance I could. In 2003 I participated in the Big Bike as part of the cardiac rehab team. I decided I could put together my own team of family, community and cardiac survivors, thus was born WALLYS WHEELS. Each year I set our goal higher and each year my gang responds incredibly. I look ford to 3 years from now when my granddaughter is old enough to ride the Big Bike. We always follow our ride with a picnic thanks to the hard work of my wife and other team members.

Manitoba

John's Riders raise almost $4,600 in Portage
The 2009 Heart&Stroke Big Bike ride in Portage la Prairie was the most successful in the event's 17-year-history, and John Rennie’s Memorial Riders played a huge part in that success. "Unfortunately it took a tragic event to get involved with the Heart and Stroke Foundation," says John Rennie's widow Sharon Rennie. "But I'm really glad that I did. It's been very comforting to be involved – and the ride itself was fun and a celebration of John's life with family and friends."

John was a fit 55-year-old with a third degree black belt in Ju-jitsu. He was well respected by members of the Portage Ju-jitsu club and the teachers and students he dealt with as a curriculum coordinator for the Portage la Prairie School Division. Everyone was shocked when he passed away after a massive heart attack. "He literally just got off the treadmill," says Sharon. "It was the last thing you expected as fitness was an important part of his lifestyle. We knew there was a history of heart disease on both sides of his family, but he was certainly the youngest who was forced to deal with it."

After his passing, Sharon got involved with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba (HSFM), taking a role on the Portage la Prairie Big Bike organizing committee. "Sharon was incredibly helpful," says Catherine Newham, Program Coordinator for HSFM's central region. "Not only did she help to organize the entire Portage la Prairie event, her team raised almost $4,600, the most in Portage, and one of the highest totals in the province." "I was absolutely blown away by the phenomenal personal support from family and friends," says Sharon. "People really liked John. He was genuine and kind, but quiet. With John, what you saw is what you got." Sharon expects to continue participating with the Big Bike in the future. "A number of people said they would do it again next year," Sharon says. "The whole event was well organized and it is something John would have enjoyed doing, having fun participating in physical activity with family and friends."

Gerdau Re-Cyclers pedal past the competition
Gerdau Ameristeel Manitoba Mill and Gerdau Ameristeel Recycling Manitoba have participated in the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Big Bike Ride since 2006 as the Gerdau Re-Cyclers team.

Participation has increased steadily over the years and in 2009, the team had their first full team of 29 riders. The team enjoys the thrill of riding around the city of Selkirk, waving at the community as they pass. This group of employees, friends and family always has a great time as they support the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.

The Gerdau Re-Cyclers raised almost $9,000 and placed 2nd in overall fundraising for the city of Selkirk. This amount was achieved through an in-house raffle, auction, walk and weight loss contest, head shaving challenge, and individual fundraising.

The riders are looking forward to participating again in 2010 and are already thinking of creative ways to secure their spot as the 1st place fundraising team. Thanks for putting your heart into it, Gerdau Re-Cyclers!

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland Antique & Classic Car Club trades their gas pedals for bike pedals
On September 12th members of the Newfoundland Antique & Classic Car Club traded their gas pedals for bike pedals to raise money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. When the Club was first approached to sponsor a big biker from another team, they thought it would be a good idea to enter their own team. And it didn't take long to get members on board and fill the 29 seats!

The NACCC team was an enthusiastic group and committed to fundraising. They raised a total of $6,315.00, with two team members raising over $1,000 each ... not too shabby for their first time participating in the event!

Despite some bad weather, their bike ride was a lot of fun as they happily sang along to our theme song "Little Honda" by the Beach Boys. The team had to scrap their plans to have a BBQ after the ride because they were wet and cold but opted for hot coffee at Tim Horton's.

"This may have been our first time participating in the Big Bike Event but it certainly won't be our last", says Team Captain Connie Hilliard. "Members are already making plans for the Big Bike Event for 2011".

Nova Scotia

Community Spirit Rides High in Pictou County
When the Big Bike comes to Pictou County it is more then just a fun ride. It is a fun filled day for the whole family and is truly a spectacle of community spirit.

While the "big" kids ride the bike kids can enjoy everything from face painting to drawing with sidewalk chalk and skipping.

There truly is something for everyone and thanks to the support and generosity of local companies like Sobeys and Scotsburn, riders and spectator alike can enjoy a BBQ lunch while taking in entertainment by local artists who volunteer their time.

In the picture you see a snapshot of this event while our spirit award winners, the "ExZellerators" are marched in to the event by a local pipe band. Thanks to the planning committee, local sponsors, team captains and their teams and the many volunteers who make this event a special community tradition, year after year.

First Big Bike Ride a Success
Success College registered for Big Bike for the first time in 2009 as a team-building exercise. The instructors were enthusiastic about getting their students involved in a community event linked to a worthwhile cause such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia.

To recruit riders and create hype, they held a contest to name their Big Bike team; the winning team name was "Cycling for Success". Event day rolled around, the Success College Big Bike Captains hosted a barbeque for students and staff before their big ride that afternoon. First ride of the day, literally a blur of people wearing navy Success College T-shirts walked towards the host site. There were enough riders for two teams and they proudly rode the Big Bike around the community twice.

Sobeys Shelburne - 24 pounds of coins
The Sobeys team, which had participated the four previous years, wasn’t registered to ride the Big Bike yet and the event was only six weeks away.

This team really outdid itself, raising $3,487.22, nearly double their previous highest total. Martin Fudge, the regular top fundraiser for this team, was proud of "making history" by being the first Big Bike rider on any Shelburne team to raise over $1,000.

It was clear that all the riders had dug deep to make this such a successful event. There were jars of coins in the Sobey's store. There were baggies full of toonies, loonies, quarters, dimes and nickels. One rider brought in over $40 in rolled pennies. When it was counted and ready to go to the bank, I put it all on the bathroom scale – there was 24 pounds of coins.

Sometimes a "last-minute" team can do pretty amazing things.

Quebec

Heart & Stroke Big Bike in Pointe-Claire, Québec
On June 9, 2010, many teams took part in the Heart & Stroke Big Bike event in Pointe-Claire, Québec. One of those teams was Etelsolv, whose members decided to organize a Big Bike event in honour of a colleague who had passed away in the workplace. The members of this wonderful team were deeply affected by this tragic event and wanted to do something special in his honour. It was a day filled with hope. Together, they raised nearly $5,000. Congratulations to the Etelsolv team !

Team Captain Vincent Parisien proved to be an exceptional leader. Never too busy to lend an ear, Vincent was a constant inspiration and motivator to his team, encouraging them to raise funds. He was physically and mentally ready to meet this challenge.

To his great surprise, Michel Grandmaison was chosen as the lucky winner of the HD LCD TV, a Blu-ray player and discs. All participants who had registered on line and raised a minimum of $50 were entitled to participate in the draw. Congratulations !

Again, a BIG thank you to all. We hope to see you again next year !

Saskatchewan

Personal story inspires riders
Saying that Deb Bosch of Paradise Hill, SK has a history of heart disease in her family is an understatement to say the least. Her father was 55 and her sister was 37 when they had fatal heart attacks. Her mother was in her 70s, another sister in her 50s and a niece was 40 when they each had triple bypass surgery. It is Deb's hope to end this tragic pattern in her family. In May 2009, Deb visited her sister in nearby Edam, SK to watch the community's Heart&Stroke Big Bike event, but could not participate as she was waiting to have quadruple bypass surgery in June at the age of 52.

Now recovered from her surgery, Deb formed the first Heart&Stroke Big Bike team in Paradise Hill and says, "I know without these surgeries we wouldn't be here today. We give thanks to the Heart and Stroke Foundation that works so hard to continue funding research and education. Riding the Big Bike is making people more aware of what can be done to prevent heart disease."

In 2010, Edam and Paradise Hill challenged each other to see which community can raise awareness and the most funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Both communities have populations of fewer than 500 people, are full of spirit, and know all too well why they give support to Heart and Stroke Foundation. Good luck teams and pleasant pedaling!!

Hard Hat Challenge in Belle Plaine
It was a day of hard-fought glory, and while one team was declared victor, it was a day where hearts across Saskatchewan came out ahead. The event was the annual "Hard Hat Challenge": a head-to-head timed race between teams aboard the Heart and Stroke Foundation's 30-seat SaskEnergy Big Bike.

The annual race is a highlight of the Big Bike season, and this year riders smashed previous records and made it the biggest day in the SaskEnergy Heart&Stroke Big Bike history! Set at the Mosaic Company's Belle Plaine facility, teams from Mosaic and Yara Belle Plaine capped off year-long fundraising activities with their annual Big Bike event day. Team captains Carrie Seman (Mosaic) and Andrew Swenson (Yara Belle Plaine) brought all their riders and an enthusiastic crowd of cheering co-workers together for the race. And while it looked close for a few moments, riders from Team Mosaic - Minefield came through with an extra burst of pedal-power as the finish line approached. The time-trial showed them the winners by seconds!

The best part of the day, though, was when team captains announced the combined total funds raised for the Heart and Stroke Foundation - an amazing $126,310! Team Mosaic's total was $111,416 breaking the previous single-ride provincial record, set last year by the same company. "Our employees and contractors went above and beyond this year," said Peter Jackson, General Manager of Mosaic's Belle Plaine Facility. "The success has generated excitement from our people and again cemented Mosaic's Belle Plaine facility as a community partner."

"These teams do an outstanding job planning and hosting many fundraisers leading up to their event," notes Lucy Buller, Chief Executive Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "They do dunk tanks, company BBQs and have tremendous support from both their employees and management." Individual fundraising leader for the day was Bart Rustad from Team Mosaic - Refinery who collected $1,717.15 in pledges.

Wadena has Heart
Wadena is a town with a great sense of community, and also shows a great amount of support for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. The Big Bike has been visiting this town of almost 1500 people since 1996. 'It's a community thing, people expect the Big Bike to come,' says team captains Sharon Rorquist and Wendy Fraser. Sharon and Wendy both got involved in the Big Bike as riders back in 1996. That year it was being organized by the local Ambulance, and both Wendy and Sharon wanted to help after the ambulance rescued their children from a scary car accident. They hopped on the Bike and the rest is history!

Sharon and Wendy stepped up as Team Co-Captains four years ago, so the ride is now sponsored by the Co-op where they both work. Since taking over the Captains’ seat, the Big Bike Ride in Wadena has raised over $8 000 each year!

Sharon and Wendy approach every business in Wadena, either to provide a rider or raise pledges, showing that it really is a community effort. Hats off to the town of Wadena, Sharon, and Wendy for their support and for putting their hearts into it!