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Dixie and Noah at the 2016 TD Five Boro Bike Tour

One of the many beneficial things I learned from my time at CancerCare was the importance of self-care. Early on, I identified an important self-care activity as riding my bicycle. My Dad and I often rode together, and it was something that, long into his own treatment, served as a crucial self-care activity for him. So much so that even after his balance begun to suffer, we sought out a 3-wheeled bicycle so he could continue his daily rides. It felt like I’d landed on the perfect fit when I discovered CancerCare was a represented charity for the TD 5 Boro Bike Tour, and I was honored to have the opportunity to raise money for an organization that had done so much for me.

Meeting the team on an early, very chilly (and eventually very wet) morning I quickly became fast friends with one member, Noah. It was great to have a riding partner on this particularly dreary day and I am almost certain we were each other’s reason for actually completing all 40 miles!

I am constantly amazed at just how many people’s lives have been touched in a very personal way by cancer. Noah and I discovered through conversation that we had both lost a parent to the disease, and he sought out the opportunity to ride for CancerCare because of the research he did on the organization. I was able to share with him how CancerCare personally helped me through my Dad’s journey and supported me after his passing.

As I often do when I ride, my thoughts that day turned to my Dad and how every time I jump on my bike I feel a little closer to him. I was apprehensive to join the team solo at first, but remembered all the rides with my Dad and how he met new people everywhere he went. He was never a stranger and always keen to get to know the person sitting next to him.

Dad had a favorite Einstein quote that became very poignant after his passing, “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.” Even though it was an overcast and rainy day, I know he would have loved this ride.