Riders as part of the annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock will roll into Oceanside on Thursday, part of their two week Island fundraiser. (Tour de Rock)

By Alex Rawnsley

just keep riding

Annual Tour de Rock peloton rolling into Oceanside

Sep 25, 2025 | 5:27 AM

PARKSVILLE — Expect a little congestion on area roads and highways over the next few days, but all for a good cause.

The annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society, rolls into the Oceanside area on Thursday, Sept. 24, beginning with an arrival at Glasford Square in Qualicum Beach at around noon.

Sam Salmanovitch, a paramedic for BC Emergency Health Services based in Saanich, said there have already been a long list of highlights in the first few days of the ride.

“Getting to spend time with this team has certainly been one of them, a fantastic group of people, but I think the bigger one’s been getting to getting to meet some of the kids that we’re doing all of this fundraising for, and that’s been really inspiring.”

Stops on the ride already include the tri Port area, Sayward, Campbell River and the Comox Valley. (Tour de Rock)

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

8h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

After the welcome and lunch, the team will make stops at both Kwalikum Secondary and Arrowview Elementary schools as they head south down Hwy. 19A.

The group is scheduled to ride into the Bayside Resort at around 3:30 p.m. for an overnight stay before leaving early Friday, Sept. 26 bound for Port Alberni.

Salmanovitch said they’ve had the opportunity to connect with several families and kids battling cancer, including one in Port McNeill ahead of one of the toughest legs into Sayward earlier this week.

“On the road, there were a couple of hills, the last one coming into Sayward we had to dig pretty deep, drawing the experience that morning definitely helped. Then all of the training, certainly helped us get over that hill and then get right down into Sayward and a nice, warm welcome from the community.”

Stops in Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet on Friday and the weekend will lead to a return to the area on Sunday, Sept. 28 with events and stops in Nanaimo.

The team will continue their journey south on Monday, Sept. 29 towards their eventual end point in Victoria on Oct. 3.

It’s not just the riders on the road, as the group is aided by several support vehicles.

Drivers are asked to drive slow and give plenty of space as they pass the group on area highways.

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook