For members of the Suncor Sun Riders, the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer is more than a cycling event. It’s a way to take action, honour loved ones and support Albertans facing a cancer diagnosis.
When co-captain Charlie R. first considered signing up, she didn’t yet know how personal the ride would become.
“I had friends who had done the ride in Vancouver, and I always thought it was such a cool thing,” she said. “When I found out Suncor had a team, I was interested, but I was also really intimidated.”
In 2019, Charlie decided to go for it, buying her first road bike just two weeks before the event.
“I was humbled,” she recalled. “But everyone was so nice. They waited for me and supported me. It was such an incredible experience.”
In 2022, Charlie lost a close friend to pancreatic cancer, making that year’s ride feel too heavy to take on. When she returned, it was with a different perspective, one shaped by both loss and a deeper understanding of cancer care.
That understanding grew when her father was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2024. He passed away the following spring.
“You think about the doctors and nurses, but there’s a whole network of people supporting patients and families – dietitians, psychologists and so many others,” said Charlie. “It makes such a huge difference. That’s what I ride to support.” personal level,” she said. “You’re not just colleagues; you’re supporting each other through something more meaningful.”
A team that makes space
That same sense of purpose is shared among Suncor employees on the Sun Riders team.
“It’s about getting to know the people you work with on a more personal level,” she said. “You’re not just colleagues; you’re supporting each other through something more meaningful.”
The team focuses on making the ride accessible, especially for new participants who may be hesitant to sign up. For many first-time riders, the biggest barrier isn’t the distance, but the uncertainty of getting started. Through shared support and encouragement, the team helps remove that hesitation and build confidence.
For Rodney G., that sense of community is something he has come back for year after year.
Now in his seventh year, he was introduced to the Tour through a colleague, Peter McConaughey, who encouraged him to get back into cycling. When Peter was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly after, Rodney chose to continue riding in his memory.
Since then, his reasons for participating have continued to grow. Like many riders, Rodney has seen the impact of cancer across his family and friends, shaping what the ride means to him each year.
“Just seeing how many people it affects, and the opportunity to contribute, whether it’s supporting people or helping move things forward, that’s what keeps me riding,” said Rodney.
This year carries a very personal significance for Rodney, as he rides in honour of his father, who recently passed away following a battle with cancer.
Turning effort into action
The Tour fills a very specific gap for many riders: the need to do something.
An estimated 254,100 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in 2026, affecting countless more and often leaving family and friends feeling powerless. The ride offers a way to respond, turning effort into something meaningful.
This year, her involvement is also launching a legacy that’s deeply personal. In honour of Charlie’s father, Mark Read, a long-time supporter of the Tour, the Read family created a matching fund to support fellow riders and encourage donations.
By matching contributions, the fund is helping more participants reach their fundraising goals and making it easier for others to take part, extending Mark’s legacy through the impact of the team.
Why it stays with you
On the road, the ride is physically demanding, with long distances, changing conditions, and moments where it would be easy to stop. But participants know pedalling through discomfort is easier than what cancer patients endure.
“For me, it’s the ability to do something tangible. In an area where I wouldn’t necessarily be able to do anything useful, I can help someone by being uncomfortable on a bike,” Charlie shares.
Participants ride alongside people who are in treatment and those who have only recently completed it. They see families who have lost someone standing together at the start. All reminders of why every kilometre matters.
That shared purpose is reflected in Suncor’s growing commitment to the Tour, with more employees showing up, fundraising and building momentum on the leaderboard. For Charlie, Rodney, the Suncor Sun Riders and for every participant, the Tour is about turning effort into impact and finding a way to act.
You can help fuel this impact by supporting the Suncor Sun Riders and their mission in 2026.
