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VIDEO: Annual Ride For Doug fundraiser in 91原创 proceeds despite the rain

Not the worst we鈥檝e been out in, said Doug Penner and dad Cam.
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It was cloudy and damp, but not the worst weather they鈥檝e been out in, Doug Penner said.(Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)

It was cloudy and a light drizzle was falling on Sunday afternoon, June 6, as about 30 motorcycle riders rolled out of the Colossus 91原创 Cinemas parking lot in 91原创 to begin the 15th annual 鈥淩ide For Doug鈥 fundraiser.

Turnout was lower than some previous rides, but Cam Penner, Doug鈥檚 dad wasn鈥檛 disappointed.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 good for this weather,鈥 Cam commented.

Cam and Doug agreed it wasn鈥檛 the worst weather they鈥檝e been out in, either.

鈥溾漀ot at all,鈥 Doug told the 91原创 Advance Times.

In addition to raising money to fight muscular dystrophy, some of the funds from this year鈥檚 event went to help purchase a converted Chevy Traverse SUV to transport Doug in his power wheelchair.

Ride For Doug supporters raised $29,658, $14,735 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada and $14,923 for the Traverse, which is currently undergoing Canadian import paperwork and inspections.

鈥淲e could have it in our driveway in the next couple of weeks,鈥 Cam said.

Doug, a car aficionado, has plans to upgrade the vehicle once it鈥檚 in his possession.

鈥淎 few appearance things,鈥 Doug shared.

鈥淪uch as the wheel and the colour.鈥

Once again, due to pandemic restrictions, there was no end-of-ride barbecue, a high point of the event for most participants, including Doug.

鈥淢aybe if things open up [we can have it next year],鈥 Doug said.

In it鈥檚 place was a livestreamed event that included video highlights from the ride and highlights from 15 years of riding, including footage of a beaming 12-year-old Doug riding a dirt bike on a closed course in 2015.

At the end of the two-and-a-half hour ride, Cam called it 鈥渄efinitely the kind of day you don鈥檛 see many motorcycles on the road.鈥

鈥淢y bones are tired, my gear is wet, but my heart is well.鈥

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Ride for Doug proceeds despite COVID-19

Like last year, the 2021 version of the ride proceeded under COVID-19 protocols that, among other things, required riders who were not close family to keep a minimum six feet from other participants.

They travelled the back roads of Maple Ridge and Mission, heading to Abbotsford at the University of the Fraser Valley/Abbotsford Centre parking lo, with no rest stops on the way.

Details about how to support the ride and donate online, can be found at the Ride For Doug home page at .

READ MORE: VIDEO: 91原创 dad describes the pressures of coping with MD at Ride For Doug

Doug has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an inherited disorder that affects one in 5,000 males at birth. It very rarely affects girls.

Muscles become weaker as the patient gets older, and there is no known cure.

Donors to the Ride For Doug have so far contributed $250,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada to support research and equipment for patients, plus $40,000 for special projects for Doug.


Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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About 30 riders took part in the 15th annual Ride For Doug fundraiser on Sunday, June 6, from 91原创 to Abbotsford. (Dan Ferguson/91原创 Advance Times)


Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I鈥檓 the guy you鈥檒l often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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