A record number of riders raised a record amount of money this Saturday as the Motorcycle Ride for Dad rumbled through the streets of Ottawa in support of prostate cancer research.
At the head of the pack, ride captain Larry Colotelo's mind was racing with thoughts of his friend Gary Martin of Halifax.
"He was a police officer for 25 years. Then he became a city councillor and worked everyday until he died," Colotelo said.
Martin died of prostate cancer, a disease one in seven Canadian men will develop.
Nearly 2,000 bikers hit the streets to rev up awareness, and to raise money for research. The procession was so long, it took 40 minutes to pass, while loved ones cheered from the sidelines. They were all there for a common cause, even if the disease has touched their lives in different ways.
"I know couple of guys who've suffered from it, so it's kind of important to do a ride that means something," said rider Wes Govenlock.
Two of the men closest to Rita Larin were part of this year's Ride for Dad; her son and 81-year old husband, a prostate cancer survivor.
"It was a shock when he was told. But he survived and is still going," she said.
This event keeps growing year after year not only in Ottawa, but also the 18 other cities that participate across Canada.
"Bikers come, they have a good time, and more and more show up," said organizer Byron Smith.
The $300,000 raised by the riders this year will go to research new ways to screen and treat the disease.
Many riders say they'll be back next year and until a prostate cancer cure is found.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Chris Day
