Motorcycles cruise into town as part of Ride for Dad

The Windsor Motorcycle Ride for Dad presented its 20th annual event this past Sunday morning with its first stop being at Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157. Legion executive member Rita Jariett (centre) and 2nd vice president Trish Ford (second from right) present a $1,500 cheque to Dave Mathes from Ride for Dad Canada (left), local ride co-chair Shane Miles (second from left) and co-chair James Prior (right).

(Left photo) Bikes pull up to the Amherstburg Legion Sunday morning as Br. 157 was one of the three stops on the ride after it left Thunder Road Harley Davidson in Windsor.

It was a milestone year for the regional Motorcycle Rad for Dad and it is a milestone year annually as well.

The Windsor Motorcycle Ride for Dad was last Sunday, but an Amherstburg tradition was maintained as the first stop was at Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157. The Amherstburg Legion once again gave back as they presented local Ride organizers with a donation of $1,500.

Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 was also recognized as a gold-level sponsor.

Following the stop at the Legion, the stops included the Colchester Bar & Grill and the Bourbon Tap & Grill in Belle River.

“It think it went pretty well,” said local ride co-chair Shane Miles. “It looks like we have about the same as last year.”

There were about 300 riders last year with at least that amount this year.

The sponsors were thanked, with Miles noting contributions from Unifor Local 444, TD Bank, Thompson Manor Steak & Seafood and Thunder Road Harley Davidson, the latter being where the local Ride for Dad begins and is based out of.

Dave Mathes, assistant operations officer of Ride for Dad Canada, joined the local Ride for Dad as he noted it was the 20th annual Windsor Ride for Dad and 25th anniversary of the Canada-wide Ride for Dad.

The Ride for Dad in this region has attracted approximately 10,000 motorcycle riders over the 20-year timespan, Mathes said, and has raised over $1.2 million for prostate cancer treatment and awareness.

Nationally, Ride for Dad has raised over $43 million for the fight against prostate cancer.

Mathes added there are national incentives for fundraising including the chance to win a BMW motorcycle and a motorcycle trip through the Rockies from Renedian Motorcycle Tours.

Miles said while they were happy with how Sunday’s Ride for Dad went locally, they are trying to build it back up to where it once was. He said they had upwards of 800 bikes at one point.

“We want to grow the ride to where we had it in the past,” said Miles.

Riders head south on Dalhousie St. towards Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 for the first stop on the May 25 Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

Getting checked is a major message they want to give men, particularly if they are over 40-years-old. Miles pointed out his father’s contributions to the Motorcycle Ride for Dad but didn’t get checked. About a year-and-a-half ago, he was diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer impacts one in eight men, he added, and people can live for an extended period of time if they catch it early.

“It affects men but it also affects their families,” he said. “Men have wives, sons and daughters. Their entire family is impacted.”

The ride is on motorcycles because it draws attention to them and their message, Miles noted. 

Encouraging other men to get checked is also a big component of the ride.

Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 has been the first stop on the ride for a long time, Miles added, and organizers appreciate what the Legion does year after year.

For more information on the Windsor Ride for Dad, please visit https://ridefordad.ca/chapter/windsor/. 

Motorcycles cruise into town as part of Ride for Dad

By Ron Giofu