The team of Tour de Rock riders are in week two of the trek from Port Alice to Victoria. (Tour de Rock Instagram)

By Kyle Ireland

ROLLING RIDERS

Tour de Rock set to roll through Nanaimo

Sep 29, 2019 | 3:01 AM

NANAIMO — The 22nd Annual Tour de Rock is set to make its way through the Harbor City on Sunday, Sept. 29.

The team of riders mostly consisting of first responders from all over Vancouver Island are in week two of a 1,000 km bike ride.

The group began the trek in Port Alice on Sept. 21st and will end on Oct. 4th in Victoria. The group visits most major communities on Vancouver Island, spending time at schools and community centres.

Alexandria Marshall, a rider from CFB Esquimalt told NanaimoNewsNOW it can be very emotional arriving in the different communities.

“When you’re on tour you immediately just start crying when you’re rolling into a town because of the emotion and how excited the people are to see you.”

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The ride is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society and its ongoing effort to find a cure for the disease.

“It’s so heart warming and up lifting to see the people rally around this cause and the tour”

The riders are around half way through the ride and Marshall said it can take a toll on your body.

“The body is feeling tired but good and we’re all still excited to get back on our bikes the next day. So that’s got to mean something.”

Marshall, who is an avid cyclist said the training regime was intense but all worth it.

“The trainers just couldn’t reinforce enough that time in the seat is what you need because when your on the seat everyday for an extended a period your body does feel it”

The tour will visit a number of places in Nanaimo on Sunday Sept. 29 and Monday Sept. 30, before departing for Ladysmith in the afternoon.

kyle.ireland@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @kyle_ireland31