It's four races in one and only one opportunity to go.
For the first time, the Ken Quon Ride On is working in conjunction with Re/Max Sea to Sky Real Estate and Team Whistler to present the Re/Max Corridor Cup Challenge and Cycling B.C.'s B.C. Cup XC on Aug. 8 as part of the Crankworx festival.
As in previous years, the fifth annual Ride On will include a family ride, a toonie race and a competitive team challenge.
"It's a great opportunity for every level of rider, for the family, for the youngest riders on bikes, to the people who want to test the metal," said Councillor Tom Thomson, who has helped organize Ride On since its inception in 2006.
The event was organized to remember a devoted Whistler volunteer who Thomson said would have "bent over backwards to be a part" of a fundraiser like this if it were anyone else."
Quon was a manager at IGA Marketplace when he passed away on Sept. 5, 2005. An undiagnosed congenital heart condition ended his life at 48. An avid mountain biker, he was guiding a bike group around Lost Lake for the Wild Willy's Monday night rides when he collapsed.
"That night I went to the clinic," Thomson said, "and there he was. I decided at that point that we would do something to honour his name."
The next year, Thomson and Quon's closest friend and business partner, Jim Chan, organized the first Ken Quon Ride On, a fundraising event inspired by his life's work to charitable causes. The event is named after Quon's apparent last words: "Ride on."
This year, the fifth annual Ride On will happen on Sunday, Aug. 8 in the trails around Lost Lake. All proceeds will go to help fund Whistler's emergency services.
The family ride is advertised as a "celebration of life" on a different trail than the races. Riders will visit Quon's memorial marker at the end of Upper Panama to lay flowers. Fee to participate is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
The Ken Quon RE/MAX Corridor Cup is based on the combined times for teams of two. The Sea-to-Sky Corridor champions will be crowned. Titles will be awarded in four categories: combined age over 80 years, open female, open male and open mixed. The fastest combined times are the overall Corridor Cup champions. Anyone racing in a B.C. Cup or Citizen's category can race for the Corridor Cup.
The toonie race is a one-lap race in the same format as the weekly Toonie series. There will be winners announced for top male, female and junior 18 and under. The fee is $25 and includes a $10 race insurance fee. Prizes will be awarded for the top male and top female in adult and junior categories.
All riders will receive a flower to wear in their helmet.
All the rides and races finish at the Riverside RV Resort and Campground, which will host a barbecue, raffle draws, a silent auction and other entertainment. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The B.C. Cup XC finals starta at 11 a.m.
For more information and event details, visit kenquonrideon.com/events.asp.
