Tamaki Kano
Age: 40
Bike: Specialized Dolce Comp
Time on this bike: Two months
Favourite ride: Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood in 麻豆传媒映画to Horseshoe Bay
Quote: I鈥檓 finally ready to test myself.
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Tamaki Kano isn鈥檛 your average roadie.
Until she purchased her new Specialized Dolce this September, she hadn鈥檛 been on a bike in over a decade and never found cycling easy or even that enjoyable. But next summer, Tamakiwill ride1,200 kilometres from 麻豆传媒映画to Banff and raise $5,000 for an annual fundraiser for cystic fibrosis.聽
What inspired her to take on such a huge challenge?
Cystic fibrosis a disease that鈥檚 not far from any of us: one in 25 Canadians has the CF gene and those who develop CF currently have a median survival age of just 35 years.
Her personal connection with CF began in 2011 when people with cystic fibrosis supported her hockey team through the Longest Game, an endurance test that had her team playing for an exhausting 243 hours to break the Guinness World Record for longest ice hockey game in the world.
鈥淲e would have broken down emotionally, well before the completion without their inspiration and continuous support,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey truly were there for us every day. I really feel I owe them.鈥澛�
Each year since 2006, a group of very dedicated cyclists cycles in the annual GearUp4CF ride and in addition to covering a tremendous amount of distance and elevation during their days in the saddle, riders commit to raising a minimum of $5,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Since its inception, GearUp4CF cyclists have ridden over 190,000 km and raised more than $1.25 million for the cause.
Tamaki will set out on this nine-day cycling marathon on June 21, 2014.
Her primary motivation is to raise both awareness of and funds for cystic fibrosis research. And the GearUp4CF ride is her opportunity to repay the people who supported her hockey team. She made a point of choosing a sport that is a very difficult activity for her.
鈥淚鈥檓 not good at fundraising, so I have to do something absolutely crazy to get people to want to donate, like taking up an unfamiliar sport and riding a distance that should be left to those who have the training and experience.鈥�
When she signed up for the ride, Tamaki didn鈥檛 even own a bike. With the help of James from Obsession:Bikes, she picked a Specialized Dolce Comp to accompany her on her cycling adventure and now she鈥檚 doing everything she can to prepare for next summer.
鈥淚鈥檓 riding as much as I can 鈥� even if I get 15 minutes of free time, I ride. The most challenging thing for preparation is finding the time,鈥� she said.
As well as the training, other hurdles include her fear of a relatively unknown activity and uncertainty about what to expect from the ride itself.
鈥淩iding three hours to Horseshoe Bay and back to East Van actually made me start to enjoy road biking,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he hardest thing on the ride will be being alone. Everyone else will be so much faster than me, and I鈥檒l need to rely on myself alone to keep going.鈥�
I鈥檓 full of admiration for Tamaki for taking on GearUp4CF. In order to raise funds for a cause close to her heart, she鈥檚 prepared to confront her personal fears and push far beyond her own limits.
鈥淚鈥檓 the type of person who lives with a lot of fear when it comes to physical activities. I just really think, turning 40 this year, it鈥檚 time I got over myself and lived a little. I鈥檓 finally ready to test myself.鈥�
You can support Tamaki on her ride by visiting her fundraising link .
Kay Cahill is a cyclist and librarian who believes bikes are for life, not just for commuting. Tell her what your bike means to you: [email protected].
