Ganaraska Mountain-Biker Inspires Cyclists 20 Years Later

Sarah Sobanski

Paul’s Dirty Enduro raised a mountainous $40,000 at their 20^th anniversary race held in Ganaraska Park.

This brings the total funds raised to $200,000, since the annual mountain-bike festival began which is donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association for the Kawartha, Halliburton and Pine Ridge area. The festival helps raise awareness of mental health and promotes open conversations about suicide and its prevention. It is held in honour of Paul Rush, an avid and larger-than-life cyclist, who took his own life at 34-years-of-age in 1996.

Riders devoured hot chili, exhausted but wearing white smiles shining through their mud covered faces at the award ceremony hosted at the Ganaraska Forest Centre after the races. Many of the Rush family were also in attendance.

“I think [Paul] would be humbled, but very happy,” said Rush’s mother Mary Rush after the awards ceremony.

“We’re keeping Paul’s memory alive in that it keeps us actively involved with mental health issues and involved with others who have had the same experiences,” agreed Rush’s sister Maureen Donald. “You want [loved ones] to be remembered as the person they were, not associated with the way they died.”

Rush is remembered for his presence that filled up any room, his strength and his sense of humour. He cycled from Oshawa to meet with friends Rob and Monique Cox in Garden Hill to test his endurance on the Ganaraska trails. The Cox and Rush families hosted the first race for 35 cyclists who attended, – mostly family and friends. This year 324 riders participated in the event, which included tracks from 15km trails to 100km trails, and included a children’s race and a single-gear category for the 100km trail. The 38 riders who participated in the 100km trail raced all day, with the fastest time for the single gear category clocking in at 7hrs and 21 minutes.

Julie Vallieres, who was featured in the Millbrook Times earlier this year for her marathon battle against mental illness, was amongst the volunteers cheering for the CMHA and the cyclists. Having just run her second marathon in Quebec City, Vallieres has now raised $4000 for her cause, championing mental health awareness.

CEO for CMHA Mark Graham was challenged to cycle next year, and pledged his participation if he could raise $1000 before next fall.

“We’re challenged by the ride, but also we’re here to develop compassion and talk about suicide,” said Graham to the hollering cyclists. They drew lines connecting mental health to cycling, explaining that in the race, the rider is challenging himself, and always fighting to beat his best.

Paul’s Dirty Enduro is now recognized as an Epic Event by the Ontario Cycling Association, which means that permanent markers have been put on the Ganaraska trail to mark the race. Anyone looking to practice for next year, or see what the event is all about is encouraged to visit http://www.paulsdirtyenduro.ca/.