‘One of my bucket list items:’ Nanaimo RCMP rider lining up for 2026 Tour de Rock

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Waltman is the only mid-Island rider as part of this year’s fundraising group and will lead the peloton into both Nanaimo, where he works, and Ladysmith, where he lives.

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Training is already at extremely high levels with rides three times per week, including major trips amounting to around 80 kilometres every Sunday.

Waltman admitted a good pair of padded pants was an essential he quickly learned he needed after his first ride, but he’s enjoying experiencing Vancouver Island in a new way.

“I’m on these rides and I’m sucking wind. Some days I get done with work, and I have to go do a practice ride on hills, and I just don’t want to do it but then I’m like, ‘you know what? The kids that were doing this for don’t get to say I’m tired today, I don’t want to do it anymore. They’re fighting through it.'”

Money raised through the Tour goes to support Camp Goodtimes, an authentic camp experience for kids battling illness and their families.

In its 32-year history, over $58 million has been raised toward Camp Goodtimes and cancer research overall.

Waltman said the rides so far have been a great distraction from his job, handling serious mental health-related calls through the Car 54 program.

“You get into this work, and sometimes you forget the hobbies you used to have, and although cycling was never a hobby of mine, I get told from time to time that I need to find a hobby outside of work. This has been a great opportunity for me to exercise, and when I’m on that bike, I’m not thinking about anything else but riding that bike, and that’s good for the brain.”

Scheduled training rides for participants over the coming weeks include summiting Mt. Washington and a mock tour, which involves riding from Nanaimo to Duncan and back on the same day.

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