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Marijke Nel’s Conquest for Cancer
As we’re flying down life’s highway, a cancer diagnosis can divert us abruptly from the beautiful freeway onto a dirt trail that we were not planning to take. Every cancer patient embarks on this trail. They’re suddenly faced with a rough ride up hills, down valleys, over hurdles, and around obstacles, all in very unfamiliar territory.
Cancer can suck the life out of you…or not. It can also intensify the desire to CONQUER! To LIVE! To INSPIRE!
Taking in some tips from her team
Through a recent breast cancer diagnosis, Marijke was given the opportunity to choose how she would navigate this “dirt trail” detour. She realized quickly that a ride of this magnitude would require every skill set that she possessed. Diagnosis was followed by surgery, the commencement of treatment, and the onset of terrible side effects. Each milestone presented new physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
As she negotiated this trail with the support of family and friends, she became increasingly aware of a desire to identify a conquest that would both symbolize the ride, and inspire fellow cancer patients. She considered several options, but it soon became clear that the Corduroy Enduro (dirt bike race) would provide the perfect challenge!
The Corduroy Enduro is known as “Canada’s Toughest Race”. By using a literal dirt track and all its hazardous obstacles and challenges, she hopes to undertake a conquest that will illustrate the toughness of the cancer detour route, and provide inspiration and hope to those who find themselves hurtling along this trail.
To truly inspire those whose limits are tested daily, it had to be a conquest which would require me to stretch my own mental, emotional and physical limits to the extreme. The Corduroy Enduro presents such a challenge.
In her quest to ride the Corduroy Enduro, Marijke has NSORRA’s full support. To date, they have provided:
- $2000 of sponsorship towards expenses
- Certification through the MSF Dirt Bike School
- Subsidized private lessons from their coaches
- Guidance and coaching on many rides by experienced riders through technical skill development and varying terrain
- Mentorship in race readiness, long-term planning and preparation for Corduroy Enduro
Noting that Marijke does not currently own a bike, NSORRA has allowed her to ride their bikes during training. However, these bikes cannot be used in races or in rides away from the NSORRA base at Miller Meadow MX Park in Nova Scotia.
One of the first steps toward realizing the goal of competing in next year’s Corduroy Enduro would be to purchase a bike, necessary maintenance, modification and parts, as well as riding gear. Marijke is asking for your help to achieve her goal.
To contribute to Marijke‘s Conquest for Cancer, please submit donations marked as CONQUEST to Steve Smith, NSORRA Treasurer
or donate online at
