Cyclists gearing up to pedal for a cause in this year’s 401 Bike Challenge

Each year for the last 19 years, riders have undertaken the 600 km 401 Charity Bike Challenge, starting in Toronto all the way to Montreal.

Their goal this year? To hopefully raise $200,000 for research into childhood cancers for both the Montreal Children’s Hospital and the Toronto Sick Kid’s Hospital.

Right now, riders, volunteers and organizers are getting together in order to prepare for the 20th edition of the 401 Challenge, scheduled later this summer in August.

“We decided to send a note out to the folks and said, let’s get together for a beer and talk about this year’s ride because we’re coming up soon,” said Rob Ramsey, rider and volunteer for the 401 Bike Challenge for nearly 10 years now.

Ramsey said on why he started partaking in the challenge in the first place: “My uncle was diagnosed with cancer when he was in his 40’s. It affects everybody you know, and if we can eradicate that disease or at least help people get through it easier, I think that would be a really good plus for society. That’s why I’m doing it and I continue to do it.”

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, in 2024, each day an average of 240 Canadians died from cancer, with another 675 receiving a diagnosis.

“My mom was diagnosed with cancer before I was born,” said James Piccoli, retired professional cyclist and participant of the challenge. “It’s a cause that’s very meaningful for us – cancer research – and it’s nice to be able to know that we can play a small part in advancing research and try to make kid’s lives with cancer a little bit better,” he added.

His father, Gene Piccoli, an avid cyclist since the early 2000’s, created the challenge after his wife – the mother of James – survived her battle with cancer.

“We decided it was time to align my love of cycling with sort of giving back to the community,” Gene Piccoli said.

“So we decided, let’s do a ride from Toronto to Montreal – something that’ll capture the imagination or inspire a lot of people to join us,” he went on to explain.

The Bike Challenge starts in Toronto and for those choosing the three-day classic ride, the first day begins with almost 200 kilometers, then 265 kilometers the second day, and 130 on day three.

“The arrival is really nice, we’re all rolling together to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and all get to celebrate as a group and enjoy the experience of having done this trek together and that’s really a special moment,” reminisced James Piccoli of the last ride he finished for the challenge.

Volunteers partaking in the challenge can choose between three different ride options, varying from beginner to intermediate levels with two one-day rides that starts halfway in Cornwall, or a three-day classic ride for expert riders that wish to complete the entire trip from Toronto to Montreal. Depending on the ride they choose, each volunteer commits to raising either $1,000 or $3,500, where the funds will go directly towards helping children battling cancer.

“Some of our riders exceed the minimums and we have raised, I think, over 19 years we’ve raised cumulatively about $3.1 million, which we’re very proud of,” said Gene Piccoli.

Every year for the last 19 years, they say donations have either gone towards equipment or cancer research for children battling cancer and this year’s challenge happening later this summer won’t be any different.

“In our case, 100 per cent of all the funds raised goes to the hospitals, which is unbelievable,” said Ramsey.