Fathers ‘top of everybody’s mind’ during Saskatoon Ride for Dad event

The Ride for Dad event on Saturday drew out hundreds of people raising awareness for prostate cancer, but some bikers were already deeply familiar with the impact of the disease.

Roughly 270 participants came out to the 18th annual event that collects money for prostate cancer research and awareness campaigns, with bikers driving a 300 km loop out of Saskatoon and back.

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“It’s 200-300 bikes fire up the same time and make a lot of noise, and that’s why we’re here. We’re here to make noise about prostate cancer, to get the message out, to get checked, and get ahead of it,” organizer Brent McFadzen said.

The ride always takes place on the Saturday before Father’s Day, according to McFadzen, because it’s a health reminder at a time when dads are on “top of everybody’s mind.”

Dennis and Scott Peacock stand beside a motorcycle ahead of Saturday’s ride. Dennis said, “I don’t know that there’s anybody that cancer doesn’t touch these days.” (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

That statement holds especially true for some of the bikers at the event, including brothers Dennis and Scott Peacock.

The two siblings came out to the event to spend time with family, but it also reminded them of one person who couldn’t be there.

“We actually lost our father to cancer,” Dennis shared.

“Dad was our hero and it brings up all the memories that we shared with Dad,” Scott said, adding how, unlike some parents, their father would have supported them getting onto motorcycles for a long drive.

“He co-signed for my first motorcycle, so he’s okay with it,” Scott said.

Both brothers emphasized the need to get routine checks, so any cancer is caught at the earliest stages.

Bikers arrived at the Western Development Museum to register before the ride began shortly after 10 a.m. on Saturday. (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

Fellow biker David Jessiman said people didn’t talk much about prostate cancer until recently.

Now, though, “it’s on everybody’s mind,” he said.

Jessiman’s experience with the disease mirrors that of the Peacocks, with his dad diagnosed with prostate cancer and passing away years ago.

But, it wasn’t long after his death that Jessiman — a longtime rider — found a way to honour his passions and his late father.

“After he passed away, (I) found out about Ride for Dad, and I thought, well, that’s an ideal fit for me: motorcycles and prostate cancer research,” he said.

Jessiman’s been participating in Saskatoon’s ride since 2011 and has raised over $105,000.

According to McFadzen, this year’s event raised around $100,000. Since its inception Saskatoon’s Ride for Dad has brought in more than $2.1 million for prostate cancer research and awareness.

All the money raised stays in Saskatchewan.

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