Quasars Lin

Quasars Lin
I am riding 50 km this August to fight kids' cancer and save little lives. Please sponsor me to support my challenge!
I've Ridden 54.0 km to fight kids' cancer
My Rankings
  • National: 1641st
  • Province: 208th in BC
  • My Team: 1st
I've raised $1,226 to fight kids' cancer Donate Now

My Story

20 Aug 2024

This summer, my goal is to stay active and explore nature more. I picked up a bike recently and signed up for the Great Cycle Challenge to motivate myself. I have never done this before, so I am super excited about it!

I am riding to fight kid's cancer for a few reasons. Working at a life science research facility has given me a brand new perspective on cancer. The hardship the families have to endure, and the lack of resources, make any cancer a tough battle to fight in. I have known people who lost the battles: my grandpa and the 2 aunts whom I have never met due to lung cancer; an uncle who passed away due to liver cancer during the pandemic, and I never got a chance to say goodbye; a work friend who I invited to an event 2 weeks before her passing, I have only found out that she was secretly fighting for lung cancer later.

Every tiny donation will help us reach our goal, and if you'd like to join us for a good cause, our team ("The 140 Duo") is recruiting teammates!

Come join me!

My Challenge

  • $1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!

    I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

    Posted 125 days ago
  • Mission Accomplished
    19 Aug 2024

    Date: Aug 17th, 2024

    Weather: Sunny

    Distance: 22 KM

    -----

    I sometimes picture my life as an action thriller, one of those summer blockbusters that people always talk about on the first of the new school year.

    I consider myself a low-key fan of the Mission Impossible series. In all of the films, there is this one iconic quote:

    "Your mission, should you choose to accept it......"

    Maybe it's that extreme sense of honour and duty demonstrated by the group of protagonists, or perhaps it's that drive to push one's capacity to its limit and to endure the unimaginable. Whatever it is, it motivates me to seek out similar adventures in life.

    I always planned on finishing my 50 km at the Pacific Spirit Regional Park. The maze-like trails and green forest are all too familiar. I usually go on a stroll during my lunch break there.

    I made the plan to cover the trails that were too long for me to cover during my break time. I mean, with a hybrid bike, it shouldn't be that big of a deal right?

    Oh boy was I naive?

    If you look at the map of the Pacific Spirit Park, you will find creeks flowing southwards. That means the park is not set on flat land. Thanks to gravity, water flows from high to low. And if we were to do a round of the park, that means we would eventually encounter these uphills.

    And uphill we rode, just like at the many previous uphill battles, I found myself out of breath again. But those fast downhill tracks put that excitement back into me.

    At one point, I thought about how much support and encouragement I have received ever since embarking on this challenge and how fortunate I have been able to participate in the challenge.

    But most of the time, I tried to stay focused. Tricky courses, crowded trails, and rough terrain all demanded my full awareness. Not to mention maintaining a constant breath to keep my heart pumping blood and send oxygen to my brain.

    20 KM and 2 and a half hours later, I returned to the parking lot exhausted. But a sense of triumph slowly took over my heart.

    "Mission Accomplished." I celebrated quietly.

    Mission Accomplished
    Posted 126 days ago
  • 22.0 km ride - 0817 Pacific Spirit Regional Park - Saturday, August 17, 2024
    Logged this ride 128 days ago
  • Chasing Phantom
    4 Aug 2024

    Date: Aug 3rd, 2024

    Weather: Sunny

    Distance: 32 KM

    ------

    I used to play this racing game on my PSP.

    In it, there is a challenge mode where you can race through any map, and try to beat the course as fast as possible. To make the challenge fun, the game developer puts in this ghostly silhouette, a transparent phantom race car, to represent the record holder.

    That way, you don't have to keep checking the timer, all you need to do is catch up with this phantom.

    Today, when I was riding my first official cycling challenge, I saw a phantom as well.

    Wait, a phantom in the broad daylight? Hard to imagine right?

    Let me explain.

    My uncle taught me how to ride a bike when I was 10. It gave me the freedom I always wanted. Ok, in retrospect, riding to school and back isn't that big of a deal, but hey I was only 10, and that unsupervised 20 minutes meant the world to me.

    That 10-year-old me is so fearless and curious, he explored everywhere with his bike, probably crushed it a few times, and punctured the tires once or twice.

    Oh, I used to worry so much when asking my parents to help me fix the bike. I thought I would never hear the end of it.

    Well, guess what? One of the perks of getting old is you have new things to worry about.

    But still, there is this one brave thing he did 20 years ago on his green bike. And I owe him big times. Without him, I could never be here today, riding along the Fraser River.

    Riding through the farmlands along the river this morning, it reminded me so much of my childhood home in southern Taiwan. And so it makes sense for me to find myself chasing a phantom in the form of a 10-year-old boy.

    I could picture him. He got a head start. His silhouette was so vivid, so full of energy. I know he could take on any challenge, and finish anything he puts his mind to. And I want to be with him forever.

    I guess "phantom" has a darker tone to it, I think "spirit" is probably a better word. It sounds more mythical, magical, and friendly.

    "Hey, young spirit, thank you for showing me the way. I promise I will never lose you again. Now, let's ride together, to a place we both want to go." This is what I will say when I finally catch up to him.

    After all, he is me, and I am him.

    We might not know where we are going next, but it's going to be fine, as long as we are together.

    Chasing Phantom
    Posted 141 days ago
  • 32.0 km ride - 0803 Pitt Meadow Greenways ( - Saturday, August 3, 2024
    Logged this ride 142 days ago
  • $500 raised to fight kids' cancer!

    I just raised $500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved GUARDIAN LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

    Posted 142 days ago
  • Gravity
    29 Jul 2024

    Date: July 28th, 2024

    Weather: Sunny

    Distance: 8.77 KM

    Living is heavy. That weight makes the gravitational pull irresistible. Its uncalculatable mass makes it valuable, and sometimes even burdening. But it is that solid gravity that keeps any of us grounded. It allows us to build a strong foundation and establish something extraordinary.

    Where am I going with this metaphor?

    I am not talking about physics. I mean, how does one weigh one's soul and heart?

    This ride at the Tynehead Regional Park is our final practice ride before the challenge officially begins. The course consists of segments of small inclines and steep downhills. There gravity worked its magic.

    What goes up, must come down. While we enjoyed going downhill and reaching 26 km/h, we also struggled rolling uphill and suddenly realized that even the joggers could run past us at ease.

    The Law of Conservation of Energy, I guess.

    ------

    I dedicate this ride to my friend Yekoms. I hope it gets better from here.

    Gravity
    Posted 146 days ago
  • $250 raised to fight kids' cancer!

    I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

    Posted 152 days ago
  • Sun Kissed
    13 Jul 2024

    Date: July 13th, 2024

    Weather: Sunny

    Distance: 20.60 KM

    My right cheek got sunburned.

    I felt it during my final stretch on my 3rd practice ride. 2 km from where we started, where we parked the truck. Not sure what is different about this ride and the one before, but we went longer, and less exhausted. 20 km along the Pitt River, sharing the trail with geese, ducks, and other wild birds.

    Anyway, back to the sunburn. Euphoria kicks in when one is at the peak of exhaustion. At that moment, the word "sun-kissed" came to me. Blessed by nature, I feel whatever lies ahead of my journey will be something of a lifetime.

    Sun Kissed
    Posted 162 days ago
  • $100 raised to fight kids' cancer!

    I just raised $100 to fight kids' cancer and achieved DEFENDER LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

    Posted 165 days ago
  • Momentum
    7 Jul 2024

    Date: June 30th, 2024

    Weather: Sunny

    Distance: 14.54 KM

    On my 2nd practice ride, I found myself stranded while having my "break string" snapped on me. Ha, "break string", is that even the proper word to describe it?

    Anyway, it was my second practice ride. We have decided to go to the Boundary Bay Dyke for that. A pebble road along the water is shared by tractors, horses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

    So how did I snap the "break string"? I don't really know. Perhaps I was going too fast, or pedaling too hard, and had to force stop every once in a while.

    Maybe I was chasing something that I didn't even know of.

    So suddenly I found myself stranded. And thanks to my team's help, we fixed the issue on the spot.

    I learned my lesson that day: Don't go too hard, as long as you are moving, you are headed somewhere. "'Cause where I am goin' is right where I am."

    Momentum
    Posted 168 days ago
  • Practice Ride
    4 Jul 2024

    Date: June 28th, 2024

    Weather: Sunny

    Distance: 4.2 KM

    The Friday afternoon before the Canada Day long weekend, I took out my new bike for its official first ride.

    Nothing long or challenging, just a ride around the park near my place. The part has a lake at the center, so it is only logical to cycle around it. I took a quick break at a bench by the lake, and that is when I decided to take a detour, get a different path, and see where that would take me.

    It led me out of the park and got me onto one shared bike lane in the city. I suddenly found myself struggling to get up a tiny hill, each step became heavier and heavier.

    But that is when I realized that life is kind of like a bike ride, you expect to be free and smooth, but there is always bound to be some battles or weights.

    It is ok to take a break when that happens because you are not in a race. In the end, you are always going to find your way back on track.

    Practice Ride
    Posted 171 days ago

My Sponsors

  • Vicky Mo
    “Support from Taiwan!”
    $476.10
    Received this donation 125 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you for your support!”
  • Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation
    “Here's your matched donation made possible by the generosity of long-time SickKids Foundation supporters, the Garron family. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
    $72.84
    Received this donation 130 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you! It's a team effort for sure. Let's beat cancer together.”
  • Anonymous
    “Good luck bro, I was a little late since been busy with work and life.”
    $72.45
    Received this donation 165 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Hey, First of all, thank you for supporting a great cause.🥺 I really would like to thank you in person, but I guess a little bit of mystery in life adds spice to it. There are only a few that call me a bro, so I hope I have been talking to you lately, but if not, please do reach out. I'd love to catch up. Cheers, Ian”
  • Anonymous
    “Good luck bro. Great to see you pushing yourself for a good cause. Let's see that 50 km!”
    $72.45
    Received this donation 164 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Aww, thank you fam! Whoever you are, I hope I have been talking to you lately. I am committed to where this journey will take me. Thanks again!”
  • Michelle Lin
    “I'm proud that you're doing such a beautiful thing for the kids and yourself. Be proud and enjoy it! Thank you for all your devotion and hard work! Wishing all the kids in the hospital a speedy recovery. ❤️”
    $72.45
    Received this donation 131 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you Michelle!”
  • Neil Weatherall
    $72.45
    Received this donation 150 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you for the support Neil!!”
  • David Prevost
    $36.23
    Received this donation 151 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you Dave! I think one day I will finally get my bike license and a motorbike!”
  • Anonymous
    $36.23
    Received this donation 137 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you! Rock on!”
  • J Abney
    “Thanks for taking the hit for the rest of us, Quasar. Appreciate you blasting off to give back!”
    $36.23
    Received this donation 152 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you, J! I am gonna call you J to respect your desire for semi-anonymity. Well, I am doing everything I can to add some fun to this great adventure called life. Besides, helping out others is great too. 😀 Cheers!”
  • Jermin Dela Cruz
    “Good luck!”
    $36.23
    Received this donation 130 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you sir”
  • Kathleen G.
    $36.23
    Received this donation 142 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you, Kathleen!”
  • Anonymous
    $30
    Received this donation 142 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you!”
  • Jose
    “Great thing you're doing here! Good luck with the rest of your rides and reaching your goal Ian!”
    $25.88
    Received this donation 143 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Hi Jose, thank you for your support!”
  • Wendy Yang
    “GO IAN!!”
    $25.88
    Received this donation 145 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thanks Wendy!”
  • John Anderson
    “A great cause! Best of luck Ian on the ride.”
    $20.70
    Received this donation 145 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Hello John, thank you for supporting this great cause!”
  • Michael
    $20.70
    Received this donation 179 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Dear Mike, Thank you for always being so supportive and caring. Life is one beautiful long walk in the wild, and I am glad you are there to grab the rope for me. Yours Truly, Ian”
  • Anonymous
    $20.70
    Received this donation 152 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you for the support!”
  • Sanel Avdic
    “Best of luck Ian!”
    $20.70
    Received this donation 152 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thanks Sanel! I hope you are having a great summer as well! You should drop by sometime. 😄”
  • Ian Harris
    $20
    Received this donation 123 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Thank you sir!”
  • Jacky
    “This should put the donation to 420”
    $11.39
    Received this donation 145 days ago
    Quasars Lin
    Quasars
    “Hey Jacky! Thanks for making a fun number. Lol”
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