Despite the less than stellar weather, the 2024 edition of the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock departed from Campbell River on Tuesday, Sept. 24 heading south, finishing their over 1,200 kilometre trek in Victoria on Oct. 4. (Cops for Cancer - Tour de Rock on Facebook)

By Jordan Davidson

rain or shine

‘Spirits are quite high:’ Tour de Rock making its way into Nanaimo and Oceanside

Sep 26, 2024 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — An annual bike trek across Vancouver Island will be heading through the Nanaimo and Oceanside area soon, raising money for childhood cancer research.

The 2024 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock started on Saturday, Sept. 21, with riders making the 1,200-kilometre trek from Port Alice to Victoria, stopping in communities along the way.

Tour spokesperson Tiffany Parton told NanaimoNewsNOW on Wednesday, Sept. 25 the riders were in good spirits as they made their way into the Comox Valley under a downpouring of rain, travelling an average of 100 kilometres and eight or more hours every day.

“It’s very demanding on your body, so I think they’re feeling it, but their spirits are quite high. Yesterday was a great day in Campbell River because they did get to meet up with several of our honourary riders, which again fuels them to keep going knowing that their cancer diagnosis is far greater than what they’re experiencing on the bike.”

She said they are still on track to make it to Courtenay by Wednesday evening, before heading into the Qualicum Beach and Parksville area by the evening of Thursday, Sept. 26.

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After that, they’ll be shipped across the Island for stops in Port Alberni on Friday, Sept. 27, stopping in Ucluelet and Tofino before heading back to Nanaimo by Sunday, Sept. 29 for their annual gala dinner in the ballroom of the Coast Bastion Hotel ballroom hosted by the Tour de Rock Nanaimo Committee.

Parton said drivers in the Oceanside and Nanaimo area should keep an eye out for the riders, who should be easy to spot as they are escorted down the highway with their sirens and lights turned on.

She said they try to be as least disruptive on the roads as they can, allowing traffic to pass when it’s safe to do so in order to avoid bottlenecks.

“But it’s important to remember that your five-minute disturbance is doing something really great on this island, it’s making a huge impact on the lives of kids and families who have that cancer diagnosis. So bear with us as we ride by, honk and wave, the riders love it when that happens.”

Const. Mary-Ellen Somerville with the Sooke RCMP is one of 16 riders participating in this year’s ride and said having honourary riders join them as they leave each community is a powerful moment to be a part of.

“It really puts a face to the cause that we are fundraising for. In the 27 years since Tour de Rock started, the amount of pediatric cancer research that’s been done has turned the statistics on their head, and far more children are now surviving their pediatric cancers than they used to.”

The honourary riders are kids and siblings who have been impacted by cancer in the family.

More information on the tour including how to donate can be found here on their website.

Riders made a number of stops in Campbell River on Tuesday, Sept. 24, accepting donations from local businesses and visiting local schools. (Cops for Cancer-Tour de Rock on Facebook)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow