Cycling from Toronto to Niagara Falls is no easy task, as past participants of the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer well know. But both cyclists and survivors flock to train and participate in the event, and this year the list includes two teams from Elmira.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2010, Brattan had two lumpectomies and finally a mastectomy that led her through the University Health Network to Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, for which she hopes to raise the funds.

After undergoing triple bypass surgery 13 years ago, Ray Halstead, another Elmira rider, began to cycle for health reasons. Last year during the ride he travelled a total of 215 kilometres with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board team. In 2012 funds from all 4,852 Ontario riders totaled $18.1 million. Of that amount, Halstead’s team brought in $52,695. This year his team consists of his two sons, Casey and Chad, and they are hoping to raise $2,500 each. So far about 7,000 riders are registered for the Ontario event, he said.

Aside from the event to raise funds for the Campbell Family Institute at the Princess Margaret Hospital –one of the top research centres in the world – rides are held in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation, BC Cancer Foundation and Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital (Quebec).

“I did it last year because two of my best friends passed away with cancer, and [this year] I talked to the boys and they said ‘you know what, we’ll do that with you,’” said Halstead.

“We didn’t do the ride last year, but we went down and saw dad when he went across the finish line. The atmosphere of being down there … we thought it was such a good cause,” said Chad Halstead.

Brattan believes the professionalism and knowledge she saw during her treatment is all due to the funds raised by cyclists every year.

“He knew I was doing it – I really didn’t even think he was interested – and he just came home one day and he had bought a road bike and he told me he wanted to ride with me,” Brattan said.

After a major surgery of his own – McCabe had a Chiari malformation on his brain – Brattan is glad to see her son well enough to ride with her in the June event.

“We’ve both sort of been through a lot,” she said.

Ontario riders will journey more than 200 km between Toronto and Niagara Falls, choosing from five different routes. Two of the biggest challenges in preparing for the ride are fitness and fundraising, Brattan said.

Warm weather has been elusive so Brattan has brought her bike inside and placed it on an indoor stationary bicycle stand.

“I am nervous because I’m supposed to be biking three hours, three times a week right now and I’m a little behind so I have some catching up to do,” she said.

So far Bratton and her son have raised about $700 each through donations from family and friends and have two months to gather the rest.

Currently, Halstead’s team is planning a bottle drive, asking locals to donate their empty liquor bottles and cans for returns.

“It’s a ride that you’ll never forget,” he said.

Those who wish to help participants raise funds can visit www.conquercancer.ca and donate by typing in the participants’ names. The Halsteads are also asking that Elmira residents wishing to aid the cause leave their empty beer and liquor containers by the front door for pick up on April 27. For bottle drive donation forms contact ray.halstead@wcdsb.ca.