Darrell Fox is still seething over the memory of his first bike.
It wasn't a flashy Raleigh or Peugeot 10 speed, like those purchased by his older brothers Terry and Fred Fox.
"Mom wouldn’t let me buy a drop bar bike," recalls Darrell, who remembers riding through his Port Coquitlam neighbourhood off Shaughnessy Street.
Instead of a 10-speed, Fox road a less glamorous five-speeder he purchased working long hours picking blueberries at the end of Prairie Avenue.
Now, decades later, Fox is a dedicated road warrior who likes nothing more than to sweat on long rides that are a challenge, but less demanding on his body than a pavement-pounding run.
Fox's bike of choice is a Felt road performance 11 speed now — his old five-speeder a distant memory — and his rides are challenges reminiscent of his older brother, Terry, the Canadian icon who started what we now know as the annual Terry Fox Run, which takes place on Sept. 18, 2022.
"I'm like Terry a bit," says younger brother Fox, "I like to push myself."
Everyone knows about the annual fall run, which is a big event in Port Coquitlam, but fewer know about the effort Fox created for avid cyclists like himself.
It's called the Terry Fox Ride of Hope, and soon, he and hundreds of other Canadians will be mounting their bikes for a cycling challenge to raise funds for the Terry Fox Foundation and cancer research.
Cyclists, donations wanted
For seven years, Fox has organized the Terry Fox Ride of Hope, which, this year, is open to anyone who wants to ride and collect funds or join other long rides as part of a national effort.
On July 9, Fox will join several teammates for a 360 km ride through the Fraser Valley, starting at the Terry Fox Hometown Square behind the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC), eventually ending up in Chilliwack.
The ride takes place in memory of his brother Terry Fox, who became a national hero and an inspirational figure for his battle against cancer and attempted cross-country run.
"The goal is remembering that what Terry wanted is one more dollar — that’s the whole focus — raising money for cancer research.," said Fox.
Last year, Fox's team of 18 cyclists raised $87,000 in funds for the Terry Fox Foundation.
His ride this year, which begins at 5:30 a.m. on July 9 in PoCo will take about 14 hours, including eight rest stops. It is already full of registered riders.
But people are encouraged to support Fox's Vancouver/Fraser Valley ride by making a donation, or register and set up their own fundraising page and ride solo or with a group of friends.
The original Terry Fox Ride of Hope took place in 2015, with the commemoration of the 35th Marathon of Hope anniversary.
Ride 10 km or 360 km
Fox rode 350 km with a group of friends to Mount Terry Fox as a personal challenge and the event has grown from there.
There were also many special moments as the cyclists would stop at points along the way and recite a quote from Terry Fox and take a photo.
Now, Fox hopes other cyclists will join in the effort by setting their own distances and routes, whether it be 10 km or 360 km.
"We are reaching out to those Terry Foxers who are cyclists and want to give back," said Fox.
For more information about the Terry Fox Ride of Hope, you can visit the initiative's website.
