Tamaki Kano
Age: 40
Bike: Specialized Dolce Comp
Time on this bike: Two months
Favourite ride: Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood in Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay
Quote: I’m finally ready to test myself.
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Tamaki Kano isn’t your average roadie.
Until she purchased her new Specialized Dolce this September, she hadn’t 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 Vancouver to Banff and raise $5,000 for an annual fundraiser for cystic fibrosis.
What inspired her to take on such a huge challenge?
Cystic fibrosis a disease that’s 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.
“We would have broken down emotionally, well before the completion without their inspiration and continuous support,” she said. “They truly were there for us every day. I really feel I owe them.”
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.
“I’m 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.”
When she signed up for the ride, Tamaki didn’t 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’s doing everything she can to prepare for next summer.
“I’m riding as much as I can — even if I get 15 minutes of free time, I ride. The most challenging thing for preparation is finding the time,” 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.
“Riding three hours to Horseshoe Bay and back to East Van actually made me start to enjoy road biking,” she said. “The hardest thing on the ride will be being alone. Everyone else will be so much faster than me, and I’ll need to rely on myself alone to keep going.”
I’m full of admiration for Tamaki for taking on GearUp4CF. In order to raise funds for a cause close to her heart, she’s prepared to confront her personal fears and push far beyond her own limits.
“I’m 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’s time I got over myself and lived a little. I’m finally ready to test myself.”
You can support Tamaki on her ride by visiting her fundraising link here.
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].
