FAQ

June 8-9, 2024

For physical cheques and donation forms, please send to: 
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Mail 
P.O. Box 247, Stn A Etobicoke, ON, M9C 4V3 
 
For courier deliveries, please ship to our office: 
c/o The Ride to Conquer Cancer, 700 University Ave.  
4th floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 1Z5 
 

• All Riders are provided with a sleeping tent at our midway point (McMaster University).   
• Registered Riders also have the option to book a dorm room on campus at McMaster, off site at Mohawk College or in one of our suggested hotels listed below.
• Dorm rooms and hotels are booked at your own cost and have limited supply.

Essentials: 
• Identification (government Id + health card) 
• Cash, credit card 
• Comfortable clothing for both days 
• Sweater/sweatshirt, change of socks 
• Sunscreen and hat/bandana 
• Reusable water bottle 
• Sleeping bag and pillow (if camping) 
• Toiletries 
• Charger and extra batteries if needed 
 
Optional: 
• Raingear (weather permitting) 
• Sleeping pad for tent 
• Flashlight 
• Earplugs 

Shuttle service for Riders along with luggage will be provided throughout Ride weekend. Bikes will be transported safely in separate vehicles.  
 
Transportation services run on: 
Day one, morning: Luggage from start lines in Toronto and Niagara, including participant shuttle to overnight camp in Hamilton. 
Note: Riders who complete the 1-Day Niagara to Hamilton Route must make their own arrangements back to Niagara.  
 
Day one, afternoon: Back to Toronto for Riders who complete the 1-Day Route (Toronto to Hamilton) 
 
Day two, morning: Luggage from camp to finish line in Niagara 
 
Day two, afternoon: Back to Toronto from finish line in Niagara 
Note: All Riders are responsible for picking up their luggage at the finish line and bringing it onto the shuttle bus back to Toronto. 
 

See route maps on our Event Details page.

For safety reasons, anyone riding the course must be registered. However, family friends and loved ones are welcome to join us at designated cheering stations and at the Finish Line in Niagara!

Yes. All eBikes that are considered Class 1* will be allowed. 

*Class 1: eBikes that are pedal assist only. No throttle and a max speed of 32 km/h

Yes. Charging stations will be provided at the Classic Route lunch stop on Day 1, the lunch stop on Day 2 and at camp in Hamilton.

Yes, you can mail in a cheque donation. We do not accept cash. 
Each donation must come with a completed Individual or Team Offline Donation Form that has the Participant ID of the Rider or volunteer you are sponsoring. Please make sure to mail both items to the following address: 
 
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Mail 
P.O. Box 247, Stn A Etobicoke, ON M9C 4V3 

Yes, all routes have a minimum dollar amount associated.

For Riders who registered before April 25th:

1-Day Ride: $2,000.
Classic 2-Day Ride: $2,500.
Classic Express Route: $2,500.
Hammer Route: $4,000.
Ride Your Way Virtual: no minimum but raising $1,500 will get you the official Ride jersey!
 

The Ride strives to help fulfill a bold goal: Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime. Without fundraising minimums, we would not be able to run Canada’s largest cycling fundraiser, raise record-breaking amounts for life-saving research or set new standards of care across the globe.  
 
If you need help with fundraising keep an eye out for our Fundraising Resources launching later in the year.

Unfortunately, once donations are processed to a Rider’s fundraising page they cannot be moved between Riders. In addition, all funds are pre-assigned to specified cancer sites, chosen by each Rider upon registration, to undo this would be a data challenge. 

The fundraising minimums are set as achievable individual goals. If you need support our Ride Guides are here to help! 

All donations should be made directly to specific participant pages rather than pooling. Team donations can still be collected to add to the overall total for each team but due to the number of gifts we process we cannot divide up donations and move them to Rider pages.  
 
If you would like to direct funds to someone on your team, simply share the link to their personal Ride page to capture funds directly. Donations from a single donor, intended for multiple Riders can be processed using our Team Offline Donation Form, and mailed to the address specified.
 

We want all participants there with us on Ride weekend, so there are options in place for those who have not raised the minimum by June 8. 

• Riders can commit to a delayed self-pledge during online check-in. By committing, you agree to pay the remainder of the fundraising goal if it is not met within 60 days of The Ride. 
• Anyone who chooses not to Ride is welcome to switch their registration to volunteer. Please check back for more details on volunteering.
• Riders can participate virtually instead, no minimum required. Simply contact our Ride Guides and they will be happy to update your route choice in the system. 

 
 

You can cancel your Ride, however, by registering our hope is that you commit to meeting the fundraising minimum of your chosen route. In case of cancellation, donations received by that date are non-refundable. The registration fee is neither refundable nor transferrable.

We have four ambassador levels in 2024. We will launch the full program later in the year, check back for more details!

Yes. Absolutely. But please do not mail any cash in. We don’t want it to get lost in the mail. Instead, write a cheque for the donation amount and mail it in with a completed Offline Donation Form. Enter the donor's information on the form.  
 
Any credit card donations must come from the card owner. Please email: RideGuides@thepmcf.ca or call (877) 699-BIKE [2453] for assistance. 

We make every effort to protect your personal information. The software used on our website utilizes SSL encryption techniques to ensure your information, password and personal details travel safely and securely over the internet. Credit card information is never stored.

The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy suggests a 50% return as an acceptable guideline for events of this size. However, The Ride strives to return a minimum of 66%.  
 
All budgets and financials are approved by the Board of Directors of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. The most recent annual report can be found at: thepmcf.ca. 

Yes, you can find all the info you need on gifts of stocks & securities here, as well as submission forms for gifts of stock in both Canadian and US dollars. Alternatively, you can email the Ride Guides for support (rideguides@thepmcf.ca). 

After clicking ‘Donate’ next to your name, the option to donate in US funds will appear and take the donor to our US donations page. 

Contact rideguides@thepmcf.ca to request an adjustment. We understand errors happen and want to ensure each Rider receives their contributions correctly. 

Yes. You can find the links to the necessary forms below. 
To donate in Canadian Dollars (CAD) use this form. 
To donate in US Dollars (USD) use this form. 
 To donate in US Dollars (USD) and receive a receipt in Canadian funds, use this form. 
 

Yes. Whether participating in-person or virtually, registration fees are required and non-refundable. These fees help cover administrative and operational costs for The Ride.

As outlined in the registration waiver, you must be 16 to register and participate in The Ride. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian who is 18 or older. 

When you register, select ‘Join as Captain of an Existing Team’ or ‘Create a New Team.’ Once your team page is live, you can click the ‘Join Team’ button and share the link with your teammates.  

Registration fees and donations cannot be deferred to the following year.

Registration for the Ride to Conquer Cancer opens March 7, 2023.

• Go to: https://timecounts.app/pmcf-ride
• Create an account (unless you have one already) 
• Review info about The Ride and the volunteer roles 
• Submit your information and preferences 

Stay tuned! We will reach out with assignments, schedules, training and more.

Yes, all volunteers do need to register for the 2023 event and provide updated information and preferences, but if you volunteered with us in 2022 you already have an account.  Please go to https://timecounts.app/pmcf-ride and sign in before you complete the registration form. 

Because volunteers dedicate their time and energy into making the event experience possible and enjoyable for everyone, they are not required to pay a registration fee. 
 

That’d be great! All you have to do is register and set up an individual “Ride Your Way” profile to raise funds without being tied to a minimum amount.  

Please use the code: VOLUNTEER2023 so that we can waive any registration fees for you. 
 

Yes! We encourage all networks to volunteer together. For more information on Group Volunteer opportunities please contact us by email at pmcfteam@conquercancerevents.com or give us a call at 289-351-2515.  

If you need assistance with registration, please contact Volunteer Services by email at pmcfteam@conquercancerevents.com or give us a call at 289-351-2515.

Tech support & Bike repair 
Over 200km, bike breakdowns are bound to happen. Our bike techs are mobile and ready to help with flats, chain breaks and other minor repairs every km of the way. In the case of major repair, our Sweep Vehicle will take you to the next pit stop for full repair* 
 
*Charges may apply 
 
Pit Stops/Aid Stations 
At the start line and every 25km after that are fully supported Aid Stations with washrooms, snacks, water, and medical if needed. Lunch is included at the half-way point each day.  
 
Medical 
Certified medical attendants and volunteers patrol Ride routes and are waiting at pit stops to help with things like pain relief and minor first aid. 
 
Sweep Vehicles 
Volunteers in multi-passenger vans patrol the routes alongside Riders. They are a phone call or quick hand signal away if you need transport to the next pit stop due to fatigue, technical breakdowns or any other reason. 
 
The Caboose 
This support vehicle follows the last Riders out from the start line to offer support if needed. Tailing the Ride all the way to the finish line so everyone crosses safely. 
 
Safety 
Participant safety is our priority. We enlist help from local police and volunteer motorcyclists who monitor the routes and help provide directions and signals at busy intersections.  
 
We produce an annual safety video that we advise every Rider to watch, this will help ensure clarity on rules of the road. 
 
Training & Advice 
Our Ride Guides are always available to offer resources and training tips from partners and fellow Riders who are well versed in cycling.  
 
If you’re embarking on your first long distance Ride, be sure to join one of our training sessions. Happening on Zwift and in-person around the GTA.  
 

You can properly prepare for a 200km+ Ride by following The Beginner’s Training Plan, written by Coach Paolina Allen. This extensive plan will get you ready for long-distance endurance cycling. 

Learn how to fuel your Ride correctly with our Fuelling Plan, written by Coach Andrew Randell from Sans Chaine. This plan provides helpful advice on fuelling to properly sustain your energy throughout the Ride. 

Beginner’s Training Plan: click here
Fuelling Plan: click here

Pay attention to traffic.
Every cyclist should pay attention to traffic flow, but it’s even more critical on an eBike. Drivers may not expect a cyclist to reach 32k/h and that disconnect could lead to potentially dangerous scenarios. 
  
Make yourself seen.
Drivers don’t always look out for eBikes. We recommend outfitting your bikes with lights and a bell. Pedestrians and other cyclists will surely appreciate the polite warning sounds when approaching.   
  
Check your speed. 
If it’s your first time on an eBike it could be tempting to take it to turbo, but going fast right out of the gate is a mistake. Take time to learn how your eBike feels at lower speeds before cranking it up.
  
Brake early.
Brakes are even more important when holding more power in your hands. Even at the lightest gear, you have more power on each pedal stroke. Slow down earlier for stop signs and road crossings.
  
Safely mount and dismount.
Mounts and dismounts are where most injuries happen. Partially because of the weight. Make sure your frame is comfortable and easy to get on and off. For some, that may mean seeking out a step-through frame.