April 8, 2026
What’s in a Name? John Thorpe Captains Les Domestiques in Paris to Ancaster: A Ride for Research
On Sunday, April 26, John Thorpe will stand at the start line of Paris to Ancaster not as its co‑creator or race director, but as a rider—something he’s never had the chance to do in the event’s 30‑year history. Beside him will be his long‑time colleague and co‑architect of the race, Tim Farrar, along with a small group of friends who belong to a cycling club called “Les Domestiques.”
The name might raise an eyebrow at first. In French, les domestiques translates to “the servants,” but in the cycling world, the term carries a deeper, almost noble meaning. Domestiques are the elite riders who sacrifice their own race results to support their team leader—shielding them from the wind, fetching water and nutrition, and setting the pace for the peloton. They are the quiet engines behind every great victory.
It’s a fitting name for a team riding not for personal glory, but for worthy charitable causes. John and his cycling club often ride and raise funds for charitable causes across the region, including taking part in Paris to Ancaster while aiming to raise $50,000 for healthcare research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Thanks to matching funds from the Paris to Ancaster Foundation and John Thorpe, every dollar donated will be doubled, creating the potential to raise a total of $100,000.
For John, the cause is personal. “My kids were born at St. Joe’s,” he shares. “And over the years that we’ve been partnered with the Hospital and Foundation, I’ve learned more about the remarkable research discoveries underway there. From slowing prostate cancer progression to finding new treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder, it’s important work that’s worthy of our support.”
A Chance to Make Twice the Impact
Every gift made to Les Domestiques fuels research that can change lives—and with matching funds, each donation goes twice as far. It’s a chance to honour the legacy of Paris to Ancaster, support the founders as they take on the course for the first time, and help accelerate discoveries that will shape the future of care.
Riding the Course for the First Time
“It’s been rewarding to build Paris to Ancaster into Canada’s spring cycling classic attracting elite riders, Olympians and weekend warriors alike to these gravel roads and legendary mud chutes,” John reflects. “We’re proud of our 11‑year partnership with St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation, too, to help raise funds for research through this ride. Now, it’s time for us to pass the reins to MultiSports Canada to take the race to even greater heights.”
MultiSports Canada, which produces more than 22 athletic events each year for over 9,000 participants, is poised to carry the race forward. John and Tim are confident the organization will honour the event’s proud history while bringing fresh ideas to its future. And with that transition comes something John and Tim have never had before: the freedom to ride the race they built. This year, the ride’s founders will finally experience the mud, the gravel, the climbs, and the camaraderie that thousands of riders have enjoyed for decades.
“In three decades of planning, we’ve never truly been able to get on our bikes and see the ride from start to finish,” Tim says. “So that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re not looking to break any records. We want to visit all the start lines, stop along the way, thank our volunteers, riders, and the farmers, landowners, and neighbours who so graciously let us map our 45k, 70k, and 100k routes through their land.”
Image captions: Header – John Thorpe and Tim Farrar. In-article – John Thorpe at the podium.