Last Saturday, some 600 cyclists participated in the 2026 Bikes Fight Cancer Ride. As one of those cyclists, I want to give a shout-out to the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, riders, and their supporters, and to the folks who cheered us from the side of the road and their front yards as we rode through a beautiful slice of our valley. Thanks also to the towns and their public safety officers who kept us all safe and healthy during the ride. Thank you all for your work, your spirit, your humor, your determination, and your generosity.
I’ve done a lot of organized rides in support of various organizations. All of them are unique and powerful in their own way. But they are also alike in some very important ways. They create community. They give us all — riders, volunteers, and supporters — a way to contribute to the causes and organizations that are important to us. They make it possible for us to believe in our power to effect change; to make the world better, healthier, kinder, more beautiful. They remind us that we are not alone; that we are part of something positive; that we are doing good for our friends, families, neighbors, and communities. The Bikes Fight Cancer Ride gave me an opportunity to fight back against this disease that took a big piece of my heart last year. Sadly, I was not alone in that. Happily, this superb event brought us together and moved us a little closer to that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
So far, the 2026 Bikes Fight Cancer Ride has raised $290,000 for support services and research programs. I say so far because there is still time for you to make a donation to this year’s ride and this outstanding organization. You can find out more about the Bikes Fight Cancer organization and the ride at their website, BikesFightCancer.org. I hope you will join me in congratulating the organizers and everyone else who supported this year’s ride on a job well done.
Cindy White
Florence