There were tears in riders’ eyes, heartfelt cheers from family and support from former riders as the Tour de Rock team departed Greater Victoria on Saturday.
This is the 20th anniversary of the Cops for Cancer fundraising event, a 1,100-kilometre, two-week bicycle journey down Vancouver Island to raise money for pediatric cancer research and support programs.
Most of the 24 riders represent law-enforcement agencies on Vancouver Island. For the first time, the ride includes paramedics and firefighters.
This year’s riders come from Port McNeil, Comox Valley, Nanaimo, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Tofino/Ucluelet, Merville, Lazo, Duncan, West Shore, Esquimalt, Sooke, Brentwood Bay and Victoria.
Jennifer Day and her 18-month-old son, Carter, were at Thrifty Foods Admirals Walk on Saturday, waving and cheering on husband and dad Chris Day.
Chris, a firefighter at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, lost his brother to leukemia. He had always dreamed of being able to do the tour, and jumped at the chance.
“It’s a small sacrifice from us when you think of the reason they are doing it,” Jennifer said.
Other riders include brothers Mark and Ryan Hendren. Mark is a police officer with Saanich Police Department and his brother is a paramedic with B.C. Ambulance Services. Ryan, a childhood cancer survivor, volunteered with the ride last year as a paramedic.
Since 1998, the tour has raised more than $22 million for the Canadian Cancer Society, which uses the money to help Island children who are battling cancer attend Camp Goodtimes. It also supports important pediatric cancer research and programs that help children with cancer and their families.
The team left sponsor Thrifty Foods on bicycles and headed for stops at Mac’s Convenience store on Admirals Road and the View Royal fire hall.
They were then driven in vehicles to Campbell River for lunch. On Saturday afternoon, the team headed to Port Alice for their first tour community fundraiser at the Port Alice Legion.
On Sunday, the cyclists will leave Port Alice with a ride through town and head on to Port Hardy for lunch. The day ends in Port McNeill at the Black Bear Resort and another community dinner.
The team is due to arrive back in Victoria on Oct. 6.
For more information, go to tourderock.ca.
