Bicycles took over the highways, country roads and trails between Barrie and Baycrest Health Sciences on Sunday, September 11 in support of therapeutic fitness and recreational programs at Baycrest.
The 21st annual Barrie 2 Baycrest ride drew more than 125 cyclists, who raised an incredible $575,000 for the hospital. To date, the ride has raised more than $11 million and continues to grow.
“The ride struck a perfect balance between first time and returning riders. We also continued a great tradition of families riding together,” says Josh Eisen, Barrie 2 Baycrest committee member. “The future of this ride is not about one group or the other, but everyone sharing the day, creating memories and supporting this great institution.”
Cyclists began their morning at Baycrest with a hearty breakfast and then boarded a coach bus to Barrie to prepare for the start of their ride. From there, the riders, including Dr. William Reichman, president and CEO of Baycrest, and Garry Foster, president and CEO of the Baycrest Foundation, set out on 50 or 100 km ride routes back to Baycrest. The ride concluded with a finish line party at Baycrest and a post-ride gala and awards dinner.
“It’s inspiring to see how this event has grown over two decades. In recent years, there have been more and more new faces on the ride, and that’s the case this year too,” says Foster. “Our riders have put many kilometers on their bikes and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help the men and women of Baycrest.”
Funds raised at the Barrie 2 Baycrest ride support programs such as the seniors’ aqua fitness class, circuit room training to aid in stroke recovery, specialized fitness room equipment and training for fragile seniors and seniors of all abilities, and dance therapy programs.
Registration for the 2017 Barrie 2 Baycrest ride is now open. For more information, contact Brian Dunphy at 416-785-2500 ext. 5634 or visit www.baycrest.org/b2b.
