Ride. Rally. Rise Together.
By Stewart Ramsey
Cover photo courtesy of Climb for the Cure
The road to the top of Mount Spokane does not offer shortcuts. It climbs steadily through pine-lined turns and thinning air, demanding patience, grit and resolve. For the riders of Climb for the Cure, that climb is more than a physical challenge—it is a symbol. Because this ride was born from a mountain none of us chose.
When Wendy Ramsey was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, our family entered a fight that required strength we didn’t know we had. She met it with grace and courage. After her passing, we knew her legacy couldn’t end with loss. It had to rise into purpose. That is how Climb for the Cure began.
What started as a way to honor Wendy’s life has grown into a regional movement. Each June, riders gather at Big Barn Brewery before setting out toward Mount Spokane. They ride gravel, pavement and switchbacks all the way to the summit—carrying names written on race plates, jerseys dedicated in memory and stories that stretch far beyond the course.
In the past year alone, participation surged to more than 140 riders—a 53% increase. The line of cyclists climbing Mount Spokane was longer than ever before. Volunteer support grew from 40 individuals to more than 50, strengthening the infrastructure that allows the event to scale without losing its heart.
At the base, Big Barn Brewery has become more than a host venue—it is the rally point after the rise. Riders descend from the mountain into live music, BBQ plates and the kind of celebration that only comes after earning a summit. Five new Corporate Cup teams joined the course this year, bringing local businesses into the climb not just as sponsors but as riders.
Thirty-two sponsors powered the 2025 event, marking record-breaking community support. Thousands of dollars in raffle prizes were donated by local businesses. Female rider participation rose significantly, broadening the reach and reinforcing that this is a ride for anyone willing to take on the mountain.
But the statistics, as encouraging as they are, are not the headline. The real story happens somewhere between mile one and the summit—when a rider pushes through the steepest pitch thinking about someone in chemotherapy, someone in remission or someone whose memory fuels every pedal stroke.
The funds raised through Climb for the Cure support world-class cancer research through The Wendy Fund, helping accelerate progress against rare and aggressive cancers like the one that took Wendy. Cancer research is its own uphill climb. But every rider, every sponsor and every volunteer helps move the summit closer.
Climb for the Cure returns on June 14, 2026, once again riding to the top of Mount Spokane and rallying afterward at Big Barn Brewery. Sponsorship opportunities include event partnerships, raffle prize donations and Corporate Cup team entries. Sponsors receive visibility across social platforms, website placements, event-day signage and live stage mentions. More importantly, they align with a cause rooted in real story, real loss and real hope.
The mountain remains. The mission grows. Ride. Rally. Rise Together. To learn more, register or secure sponsorship for Climb for the Cure 2026, visit Climbforthecure.org.
