A Different Fundraising Challenge in 2026

TLDR; This year, I'll be personally fundraising and riding in support of youth mental health via the DIFD organization in conjunction with The Royal hospital in Ottawa.  Please visit my personal fundraising page if you wish to donate

Around September of 2025, riders of last year's 7 Days Ride for Pancreatic Cancer were informed that the ride would not be taking place again in 2026.  This wasn't a total surprise given the lack of communication from the organization post event.  However, what was more shocking was that Pancreatic Cancer Canada ceased to exist as a separate fundraising and awareness organization and was being merged with Pancreatic Cancer USA to form a new entity - Pancreatic Cancer North America

As a result, dedicated fundraising riders were now without an official fundraising event to target for donations. But rather than us all just scattering our separate ways, a couple of the volunteer organizers - Jack and Peter, floated the idea of doing a self supported event around the same time frame and with roughly similar parameters in terms of the riding experience.  As a result, the Perth 700 ride was conceived.  The idea was to emulate the 7 Days ride but do loops out of a single location (Perth is about 1 hour southwest of Ottawa) for easy logistical planning and also so that riders can easily join for a portion of the event without having to arrange separate pickup and drop off. The 700 pays homage to the 7 days - riders undertaking the full event can either ride 7 x 100 miles, 7 x 100 kms or a mix depending on weather, fatigue and other factors

Perth 700 provides a mechanism to keep the camaraderie going that fuels the dedicated fundraisers and riders.  It will be quite different than a formal organized event:

• Not directly supported by any charitable organization
• No dedicated event web site/presence
• Each rider will fund raise for their own charitable cause
• No road support during the ride - each rider is responsible for packing their own food, water, extra clothing, tools and bike replacement parts.  Riders can't be picked up in support vehicles if they're too cold, wet or hot
• No corporate sponsors.  No matching cycling kits
• No fire station or community supported rest stops.  No fire or police escorts for ride outs

Basically, we're now a bunch of casual road riders who happen to be fundraising and getting together for self supported group rides - something we all do regularly anyway (except for the fundraising part!)

The ride will take place from 25-31 May.  If you are interested in participating in any capacity, please contact me directly

I have chosen to focus my fundraising efforts on mental health.  With all the chaos happening in the world these days, I feel like we've forgotten about those who require diagnosis and support just to get by on a daily basis

I will be supporting the Do it for Darren (DIFD) initiative in conjunction with The Royal hospital in Ottawa.  I appreciate any/all contributions via my personal fundraising page

Hope you are keeping well and staying healthy

Take care,

Dan