GRAND BEND – Over 1,700 bikers trekked from Grand Bend to London and back again on the weekend, part of a fundraiser that netted $1.1 million for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada.

This year’s fundraising total was an Ontario record, according to the MS Society.
The Grand Bend to London bike tour is the second-largest of its kind in Canada, second only to an event in Alberta that has close to 1,900 cyclists, according to MS Society fundraising events supervisor Angela Lawrence.

"Every year we’re trying to beat them," Lawrence said in an interview. "There’s a big push every year for everybody to bring more people and see if we can beat them."
Similar events are planned for the Ottawa, Waterloo and Niagara areas later this year, along with a Sept. 12 event in Toronto.

Lawrence said last year just over 1,500 people took part in the Grand Bend to London event, which raised at least $920,000.

Bikers left Grand Bend the morning of July 24 and stayed overnight at the University of Western Ontario in London, taking part in evening ceremonies before heading back to the Grand Bend the next morning.

Massages and a barbecue were slated to be offered to bikers at Port Blake Conservation Area, near Grand Bend, after the return trip.

Among those taking part in this year’s event was Bob Case, a Grand Bend man who has a sister-in-law with MS.

Case said this is his 13th year participating, and figures he’s raised about $60,000 in that time. This year’s total is expected to be around $8,000.

He said finding a cure is one thing that motivates him to participate in the event, though it’s also an excuse to stay in shape.

"We all need a little motivation and I enjoy biking," he added. "It’s for a great cause."
Case turns 56 years old this year, and said over the years a number of his friends have joined the cause.

"Once you do it … you’re hooked, because they have lots of activities and it’s just an all-time good time," he said.

For more information about this and other bike tour fundraisers, visit www.msbiketours.com