Stormy weather has done little to dampen the spirits of the 2023 Tour de Rock as they made their way through Union Bay earlier this week. They stop in Nanaimo on Sunday, Oct. 1. (Cops for Cancer- Tour De Rock on Facebook)

By Jordan Davidson

rocking the harbour city

‘So emotional:’ Tour de Rock rolls into Nanaimo

Oct 1, 2023 | 5:49 AM

NANAIMO — The 2023 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is making its way into the Harbour City.

The fundraising ride for the Canadian Cancer Society will stop at the Nanaimo No. 1 Fire Station at the corner of Fitzwilliam St. and Milton St. around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1, where residents can welcome them into the city.

Nanaimo resident and retired paramedic Lance Stephenson is riding this year and said the comradery shared among the 19 team members has been amazing, but the high points come when they stop for school visits.

“We went into one school where they were singing to us, and as they were singing they were crossing their arms and they were gesturing and the smiles on their faces were huge. They brought, I would say most of the riders to tears, including myself, it was so emotional.”

On Monday, Oct. 2, the riders will be at Thrifty Foods Longwood Station around 9:20 a.m., and then at the Thrifty’s location at Port Place Shopping Centre just after 10 a.m. before heading south to Ladysmith.

First Half

NightOwls look to build of first half success in July and August

23h ago

hidden figure

Nanaimo man busted with drugs, swords, and knives after being found hiding in a vehicle

Jul 06, 2024

illegal smokes

Over $400,000 in illegal cigarettes seized in Duncan traffic stop

Jul 05, 2024

The riders will also be stopping to thank the people at the Island Corridor Foundation who are hosting a fundraising golf tournament on Friday, Oct. 6 in Nanoose Bay.

They will also take in a gala dinner Monday evening at the Bastion Coast Hotel, put on by the Tour de Rock Nanaimo Committee.

Speaking Friday morning before heading over the hump on Hwy 4. between Parksville and Port Alberni, Stephenson said they’ve faced some challenging conditions so far, including rain, wind, and steep inclines, but remembering what they are riding for puts it all into perspective.

“It’s just one more challenge along the way, and these challenges are never as big as the challenges the kids have when they have cancer.”

The riders accepted a large donation during a stop at Kwalicum Secondary School on Sept. 28. (Cops for Cancer tour de Rock on Facebook)

Fellow Nanaimo resident Simon Douthwaite rode in 2019 and is behind the wheel of the media van this year.

Douthwaite has also been a part of the Tour for a number of years, initially getting involved when his daughter Chelsea was diagnosed with leukemia before her third birthday.

“They came to visit my daughter’s school for the first time. It’s something we’ll never forget, feeling wrapped up in the arms of the community and the first responders. And since then we’ve become part of the Tour family.”

He said his daughter Chelsea, now 12, is living a happy and healthy life, and he’s grateful for the chance to give back.

While there are lots of happy, wonderful moments on the tour, the emotional moments stick out the most.

“We had a lady just roll up to our stop in Thirftys with $100 and her three children. She used to have four, she lost her eight-year-old daughter to a brain tumor. She was in tears, she just wanted to give us her hundred dollars and have no attention. I’m left there standing in a flood of tears watching her drive away.”

Once the riders depart Nanaimo on Monday, Oct. 2, they’ll stop at the Tim Hortons in Ladysmith at 11:15 a.m., then off the Chemainus Legion for lunch.

Their final Ladysmith stop will be at the Country Grocer at 1:15 p.m., where a special welcome is planned from local highland dancers and pipers.

Senior manager for Cops for Canada Ninon Daubigeon said rider Kayla Carlson of the Chemainus Fire Rescue is a member of the highland dancing group, making it a truly special and personal event for the 2023 team.

“They’re people that have a career as first responders, and they put a lot on the line to keep our community safe. On top of that, they volunteer their time and make a commitment to the Canadian Cancer Society, but they also have lives outside of that. It’s really lovely to see them and meet them and get to know them in all these facets of their lives.”

The ride started on Sept. 23 in Port Alice, stopping in communities along the way before finishing up in Victoria on Friday, Oct. 6.

The fundraising goal this year is $1 million and donations can be made online.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow