Toronto cyclist set to attack solo cross-Ontario cycling record

A world record may crumble as Ross Rader gears up to ride from Ottawa to Windsor in less than 36 hours. Setting out at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 8, Rader will attempt to break the world record for a solo crossing of Ontario on a bicycle. The current record of 35 hours, 43 minutes was set in 1987 by Ron Dossenbach of Windsor, Ontario.

Rader is making the cross-Ontario attempt to raise awareness and donations for childhood cancer charity Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation. "More than 1700 kids are going to be told that they have cancer this year," says Rader. "I'll ride to the ends of the earth if it will make a difference for even one child."

Departing from Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Rader and his support crew, with Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA) sanctioned officials, will travel almost 800 kilometers to City Hall in Windsor, Ontario. Along the way, Rader will pass through Kingston, Toronto, Brantford, London and dozens of small Ontario towns.

Rader will be supported by a crew of six who will follow him to ensure his safety and provide him with nutritional, mechanical and mental support. "The crew is going to set the pace, they are my fuel and the ones that ensure I break this record," Rader says. "Without their support, I'm just a guy on a bike. With them, we're a machine built for the sole purpose of smashing this world record."

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.crossontario.ca or email Ross Rader at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it