Invitation: Join me at Greg’s Ride 2018
by Eleanor McMahon, Founder, Share the Road Cycling Coalition

I look forward to Greg’s Ride every year. To some this might sound unusual. After all, this annual event is in memory of my late husband OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart, killed while on a training ride in June 2006.
It’s true that there is an element of sadness in the event and the commemoration of a very sad day for so many. Greg was a wonderful man, and I miss him — he is missed by all of us who knew and loved him.

But each year I see people at Greg’s Ride that I may only see once a year. I love seeing old friends, Greg’s friends and mine. I love seeing people who have supported Share the Road since it began, and thanking them for that support and friendship.
Since the first Greg’s Ride in 2006, hosted by my friend Dennis Mizerski, owner of Racer Sportif and a dedicated cyclist, Greg’s Ride has grown to be so much more than a commemoration.
Greg’s Ride is a gathering of the cycling family across Ontario. And from its humble beginnings, it has grown into a celebration of the progress that we have achieved together these past 12 years since we lost Greg.

As such for me, it has become a celebration of how the Share the Road Cycling Coalition has grown to become one of the most respected cycling advocacy organizations in Canada — dare I say North America. And in the spirit of this ride and in recognition of the focused and determined advocacy that has achieved meaningful progress, Greg’s Ride is Share the Road’s only fundraising event of the year, and a critical tool for raising the much needed funds that assist in the important road safety work which Share the Road does every day in town halls, city centres and at Queen’s Park.
There are many rides that support important causes — cancer, heart disease, hospital campaigns. Greg’s Ride is the only ride in Ontario that directly supports provincial cycling advocacy. All of the funds generated by the ride go directly into advocacy campaigns to build support for legislative changes, infrastructure investments and programs like education for motorists and people who bike.
Greg’s Ride has become an important opportunity to recognize that the kind of change that Share the Road has achieved requires a tireless approach to advocacy, and to building relationships with politicians and decision makers. Governments need and want advice from the kind of critical partner organization that Share the Road has become to the provincial government.
But to continue to build on the meaningful progress we’ve seen is going to required a sustained effort because progress can be fleeting — and because we still have much to do.
That’s why its so important that we have as many people as we can in attendance at what promises to be an excellent day of cycling and friendship. That includes you.

I’m looking forward to spending time with old friends — and to a great ride. I look forward to thanking the people like you that have built and supported this organization, that have contributed in so many ways, and who, working with the Board of Directors and the professional staff team have accomplished a great deal over the past twelve years.
I hope that you will join me in registering for Greg’s Ride and that I will see you in Dundas on September 23rd.
If you are unavailable to join us in person, please consider making a donation to Share the Road in honour of Greg’s Ride. We appreciate your support.
— Eleanor
