Brandon Cyclist Grant Hamilton Gears Up for Tour de France Charity Ride
Brandon cyclist, Grant Hamilton, will be peddling in the ride of a lifetime as a participant in Tour 21, a charity ride officially affiliated with the Tour de France.
Hamilton announced this past Wednesday that he has been selected as one of 25 amateur cyclists from around the world for the 2025 Tour 21, the only charity ride officially affiliated with the Tour de France. The fully supported ride, which does in fact take place in France, will follow the same route and distance as the professional race, exactly one week earlier.
Hamilton is the only Canadian rider in this year's charity ride, and only the second one ever.
"The Tour de France is the toughest challenge in pro sports — and thankfully I don't have to race it, just ride it," shared Hamilton. "Our goal through this challenge is to finish, while raising money that will help cure leukemia. The ride is daunting, and I have months of grueling training ahead, but what keeps me motivated is knowing that we will be funding clinical trials to help beat blood cancer."
Two years ago, Hamilton was hit by a car while biking which threw him up and over the hood of the car, He sustained significant injuries that included a torn meniscus in his knee, permanently separated right shoulder, a mild concussion and a dismembered little finger. It took a number of weeks to recover but by the end of summer Hamilton was back on his bike. He turned to cycling advocacy, including the formation of Bike Brandon, a seat on the city's Vision Zero committee, and securing federally funds to research active transportation and improved public spaces in Brandon.
"Sports builds community and cycling is a great example of that, whether you're biking up the Alps or down the street to A&L," Hamilton said. "We're bringing that same community spirit to bear on leukemia fundraising."
Hamilton is covering the significant entrance fee and other costs of the ride out of pocket and has partnered with A&L Cycle in Brandon, as well as Trek Bikes, to assist with gear and training expenses.
"We knew right away that we'd be thrilled to support Grant's ride. He'll be spending a lot of time on the bike over the next few months, and we'll be there for every kilometre," said A&L Cycle co-owner Cam Wirch. "One of the most rewarding parts of being a local business is lending a helping hand or wrench for the community. That's part of our DNA at A&L and we found the same with Trek Bikes."
The ride is for an important cause: to Cure Leukemia. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it is estimated that 6,600 Canadians will be diagnosed with leukemia this year and 3,200 Canadians will die.
"As a team, we are riding to raise £1 million ($1.8 million Cdn) that will go to funding clinical trials," Hamilton said. "Those will have a direct and immediate impact on proving better treatments and getting us closer to a cure. My personal goal is to raise more than $55,000."
Anyone around the world can donate to Cure Leukemia in support of Hamilton's ride. In Canada, a partnership with the Charities Aid Foundation ensures donors qualify for a tax receipt.
Give online at CAFcanada.ca or directly at . Please make sure to select "Cure Leukemia" as the fund, and to dedicate your donation in honour of Grant Hamilton, to make sure your gift is properly credited.
"The only thing I ask of donors is that you let me know!" Hamilton said. "The online platform doesn't share your info with me, so when you drop me a line, I'll be able to thank you properly for your support."
Please listen to more with Grant Hamilton below as he shares on how he was chosen to participate in this amazing experience, the thrill of cycling the Tour de France route of 2025, and how to prepare!
The 2025 Tour de France and Tour 21 charity ride to Cure Leukemia start in about nine months.
