Ride
for Sue
2026 · 101.68 km · Vancouver
Friday September 18, we’re riding in honour of Lil’ Sue and raising money for Canada's Special Olympics Athletes.
Lil’ Sue might best be known by her energy or her infectious laugh, but she’ll also be remembered to all as an Athlete.
She taught spin classes, body-pump (whatever that is), and yoga. She proved it's never too late to start something new when she took up snowboarding at age 42.
Sue was always in motion, and she and my dad made sport a foundational part of our family.
I only recently realized how privileged I am to have been raised with wide-open doors to sports. They’re where I get the most joy out of life, and I have Sue to thank for that.
So, when I was asked to captain a team and fundraise for the Special Olympics, I thought to pay-forward what Sue & my dad did for me.
Motionball is a celebration of sport & community, and making both accessible to everyone. Funds we raise will pay for equipment, coaching, gym time, and more—both for those new to sports, and Special Olympics athletes representing Canada on the global stage.
I know Sue would have loved to be a part of the event itself, whether helping to run it (like she did with many a ski race), or just participating alongside us.
Thanks!
John (& the part of Lil’ Sue in me)
Why we ride
Thirteen years ago, on September 18, 2013 we lost Lil’ Sue, (fucking streetcar tracks…) and we’re celebrating her memory with another bike ride. My sister and I have been doing this as a semi-official tradition the past thirteen years. It’s always booked off in our calendars, and some friends have even caught on and done the same. (You’re all wild and I love you, btw).
This year, I figured we may as well put a name to the tradition, see if we can get a couple more people on bikes, and make it both a celebration of the legend herself and a fundraiser for something Sue would have been all over.
The plan is to ride 100km around Vancouver (rain or shine), which is either a great tribute or a bad decision…we'll know by about kilometre 15. All are welcome to join for the day—ride alongside us, wave as we pass, share stories at the post-ride BBQ, or just follow along virtually.
And if you’d like celebrate the day by making sports more accessible for everyone, I invite you to donate to the Special Olympics.
Ride Details
East over Burnaby first. The one real climb is at km 15, an hour in. Then 42 km of flat along the Fraser to Steveston, north to UBC, and home along the water through Stanley Park.
View detailed route map
Out over Burnaby
km 0–22
The flats, along the Fraser
km 22–64
North to UBC
km 64–80
Home along the water
km 80–102
Scroll the profile sideways to see the whole ride →
When
Friday September 18, 2026 · 9:00 am start
Distance
101.68 km, about 700 m of climbing. A loop.
Where
Start and finish in North Vancouver. Full address when you RSVP.
Refuel
Imperial Landing, Steveston
Weather
Rain or shine. It’s Vancouver.
After
BBQ and drinks back at the start for everyone, riding or not.
Is it hard?
It's 100 km with 700 m of climbing. It won’t be easy, but the hard part’s right at the beginning, and the vibes will take us the rest of the way. Pack some candy and wear some padded shorts and you’ll be a-okay!
No bike?
You don’t need one. Come to the BBQ, or meet us somewhere on the route just to say "hi."
What the money raised pays for
$300
A team set of floor hockey sticks, or a pool rental for a two-hour practice
$500
Certifying a volunteer Special Olympics coach
$750
Sending a Special Olympics athlete to compete at Provincial Games
$1,000
An eight-week gym rental for an Active Start program, ages 2 to 6
$1,500
Starting a new Special Olympics club in a small community
$2,000
Hosting a local, regional or provincial competition for hundreds of athletes
$3,000
Our team goal
Year-round training, competition and coaching for athletes in our community
The split
Funds support the Special Olympics Canada Foundation, split three ways: 70% to provincial Special Olympics chapters, which is local programs and local athletes · 25% to the Foundation · 5% to motionball’s #NoGoodWay campaign, which works to end use of the R-word.
Three ways to participate in the Ride for Sue
Ride with us
Anyone’s welcome! Email me and I’ll send you the route file, the start address, and make sure we don't leave without you.
Email meDonate to motionball
Help make sports for everyone by contributing to the Special Olympics. Any amount is appreciated (though if you're pulling in six figures, a bigger donation would be great for your own taxes)!
DonateFollow along
I'll post a link to follow our ride on the day of. Either bookmark this page, or add the event to your calendar and I'll add it there as well (once I figure out how).
Add to Calendar