The Fort Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association was first formed in 1983 by a group of motorcycle enthusiasts, wanting to share their enjoyment of riding. We have individual and family memberships. Our members come from a variety of backgrounds as well as choice of rides. We welcome all makes, models, and sizes of bikes (and riders) with a common interest in riding and socializing together.
Throughout the season we have scheduled rides after our Sunday morning breakfasts at Ricky’s in the Fort. We attend other clubs' rides and support many good causes, such as The Cross Cancer Institute and the Fort Saskatchewan Food Hamper Christmas Toy Drive for needy families. We are a generic association with little emphasis on meetings and politics but lots of focus on riding and good friends. In 1993 we became an Alberta Not for Profit Association.
For many years our club hosted a poker ride which took place annually much as it does today. In 1990, Jim Anderson, a close friend and founding club member, succumbed to cancer after a lengthy battle. We decided at that time to do something to help others in a similar situation, as well as to remember a good friend lost. In 1991 we started our annual Cancer Ride which we combined with the existing poker run. The ride encompasses a route of about 150 kilometers through towns and hamlets around Fort Saskatchewan. Proceeds from the weekend are donated to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton.
This event owes its continued success to the participation and hard work of our members, from organizing the day’s event with the Fort Saskatchewan Legion to collecting donations and door prizes, planning the route, arranging poker hands and dealers, and advertising the ride. On Ride Day, members handle registration, sell 50/50 tickets, lead ride groups, play the poker hands, buy 50/50 tickets, have lunch with the 100 or so bikers that show up, and finish the day happy, tired, and proud of what we’ve accomplished. It’s a great time.
The FSMA carries out a secret ballot each year to vote for the member they feel has contributed most significantly to the club in the last year. The person with the most votes is awarded the Jim Anderson Trophy, which is presented at the annual Cancer Ride
The Cross Cancer Institute is northern Alberta’s own comprehensive cancer centre and a leader in innovative cancer research, prevention, treatment and care initiatives across the province and beyond. As one of 17 cancer centres directly supported by the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the Cross Cancer Institute has been changing the way Albertans face cancer since its inception in September 1968.
The Cross Cancer Institute is northern Alberta’s own comprehensive cancer centre and a leader in innovative cancer research, prevention, treatment and care initiatives across the province and beyond. As one of 17 cancer centres directly supported by the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the Cross Cancer Institute has been changing the way Albertans face cancer since its inception in September 1968.