Now That You’ve Biked the Benchland — Join District 7090’s 7th Annual Dr. Ron Mergl Memorial Ride — Then Cycle in the Tour de Dundas!For more than 40 years, Rotary International has led the global effort to eradicate polio — our number one humanitarian cause. Together with its partners, Rotary has helped reduce polio cases worldwide by more than 99.9%, bringing us to the threshold of a world where no child will ever again suffer from this devastating disease.
But we are not finished yet.
That is why District 7090 is once again hosting a special Participate for Polio event on Saturday, September 26, 2026 — the 7th Annual Dr. Ron Mergl Memorial Ride. All donations will support PolioPlus.
📲 Register for the Ride and Join the Team
Here are the links you need:
District 7090 Event Information & Registration
https://rotary7090.org/event/d7090-2026-participate-for-polio-save-the-date/
Register here for the ride.
Register here for the ride.
7th Annual Dr. Ron Mergl Memorial Ride Team
Then, to join our fundraising team and create your own fundraising page, please click here to access our new Raise for Rotary link:
Every dollar raised helps Rotary move closer to a polio-free world. Your participation — and your fundraising — makes a real difference.
PHOYO: Frank Adamson, George Eastwood (RC Dundas), Graham Repei, Elaine Richard & Scott Marcin (RC Amherst South) Biking the Benchlands
💙 Riding in Ron’s Memory — Riding to End Polio
The event, first organized in 2020 by Past District Governor Frank Adamson, was held in memory of Dr. Ron Mergl, a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls for more than 33 years.
Ron and his w
ife, June, participated twice in Rotary International Polio Immunization Days in India and Africa. Ron passed away in July 2020, having truly lived his personal mantra: “always give help to others who have less.”
ife, June, participated twice in Rotary International Polio Immunization Days in India and Africa. Ron passed away in July 2020, having truly lived his personal mantra: “always give help to others who have less.”District 7090 invites Rotarians, friends, and family members to honour Ron’s legacy and help Rotary keep its promise to the children of the world.
Bring your bike or your running shoes on September 26 — and ride, run or walk with us to End Polio!
🚴 28 Km Through Niagara Farmlands and Wine Country
We will gather at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Davids Lions Park, 1462 York Road, St. Davids. After we return, we will convene for food, beverages, and fellowship at The Old Firehall Restaurant, just a short distance away at 268 Four Mile Creek Road.
Our route is a flat 28 km ride to Niagara-on-the-Lake, starting and ending in St. Davids. We proceed through rural farmland and vineyards on very lightly travelled roads to a hardpack gravel path (suitable for road bikes) into the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
A short stint passes the impressive grounds of the Trisha Romance mansion and turns onto the Niagara Parks paved off-road cycle path, following the Niagara River.
We take a break at Walker’s Farm Market, where you can enjoy fresh coffee and pastries. Then we return to the cycle path until we reach St. Davids to finish back at Lions Park.
Post-ride, everyone is welcome to join our participants for some fellowship and lunch at the Old Firehall Restaurant. And while we’re there, let’s celebrate our contribution to Ending Polio Now!
🌎 Three Rides. One Great Rotary CollaborationAnd this year marks an exciting partnership for the good of Rotary. District 7090 and the Rotary Clubs of Lincoln and Dundas are working together to expand the impact of three cycling events while supporting multiple worthy causes.
The 3 Bike Tour collaboration includes:
Bike the Benchlands held on Saturday August 29, this event supports the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre. Well done Rotary Club of Lincoln! To donate, go to:
Bike the Benchlands
Bike the Benchlands
District 7090’s Participate for Polio — 7th Annual Dr. Ron Mergl Memorial Ride on Saturday September 26, riders, runners, and walkers will come together to raise funds for PolioPlus.
Tour de Dundas hosted by the Rotary Club of Dundas on Sunday September 27, this event supports Margaret’s Place Hospice and Routes Youth Centre. To learn more or register, go to:
Tour de Dundas
Tour de Dundas
Whether you Biked the Benchlands, will Ride for Ron and Participate for Polio, or plan to join the Tour de Dundas, these events showcase what Rotary can accomplish when we work together.
Got questions or need more information, contact your District End Polio Co-chairs: