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Ride for Doug returns to normal

Langley fundraiser resumes pre-Covid route and post-ride barbecue
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Doug Penner and his mom Allison awaited the start of the 2020 edition of the fundraising ride that bears his name, held under strict COVID-19 protocols. This year, the annual event returns to its original route, with a barbecue wrap-up, again. (Langley Advance Times file)

This year, the annual Ride For Doug from Langley is returning to its pre-COVID route and will, once again, have a barbecue at the end of the day.

Named after Doug Penner, a 19-year-old Langley resident who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the annual fundraiser supports Muscular Dystrophy Canada, as well special projects that assist Doug.

To be held on Sunday, June 5, riders will cruise along the back roads of Langley, Abbotsford and Mission, a journey of about 200km that includes two rest stops along the way.

It will start and end at the South Langley Church – marshalling and registration begin at 11 a.m. and the ride commences at 1 p.m. It concludes with the return of the popular post-ride barbecue, where participants hang out and hear how the funds they raised have been put to use.

A food truck won’t be part of the event, however – only because demand has been so great, as restrictions have lifted, that one couldn’t be booked for the ride.

Doug Penner awaited start of the rainy 2021 edition of the fundraising ride that bears his name, held under strict COVID-19 protocols. This year, the annual event returns to its original route, with a barbecue wrap-up, again. (Langley Advance Times file)
Doug Penner awaited start of the rainy 2021 edition of the fundraising ride that bears his name, held under strict COVID-19 protocols. This year, the annual event returns to its original route, with a barbecue wrap-up, again. (Langley Advance Times file)

After two years of limits on public exposure, where the ride route had to be trimmed and the barbecue cancelled, Doug’s dad, Cam, would like the 16th edition of the ride to be a “celebration year.”

“We didn’t get to celebrate Doug’s grad in 2020, we didn’t get to celebrate the 15th anniversary [of the ride] in 2021,” Cam told the Langley Advance Times.

“Let’s make up for it in 2022. I really want to see lots of people again.”

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Annual Ride For Doug fundraiser in Langley proceeds despite the rain

They will also be celebrating Doug’s “bad-ass” accessible SUV that was the result of three years of fundraising and will be on view at the start.

Doug didn’t waste any time tricking it out, his father reported.

“Its been wrapped,” Cam said.

“It’s got new wheels.”

Doug, a AC-DC and Def Leppard fan, is also upgrading the sound system, which lost a factory subwoofer when it was modified to be wheelchair accesible.

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

Cam said it feels a little “weird” to be planning a ride that doesn’t require stringent COVID-19 protocols.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” he remarked.

“I’m hoping it’s well attended.”

He’s aiming for a turnout of 300 to 350.

At the same time, Cam wants the ride to “remember all those DMD boys who had a tough couple of years with COVID. Muscular Dystrophy Canada really needs our help with fundraising. It’s been hard times.”

It will be Doug’s third ride with a broken leg, after suffering what Cam described as a “small fracture on a slip during a transfer.”

Ride For Doug, Vancouver Island edition, is expected to return this fall, likely in September.

DMD is 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.


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Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

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