‘Just take it in and try to enjoy it:’ Nanaimo rider ready as Tour de Rock rolls down Island

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The schedule for this year’s ride, with stops on the mid-Island between Sept. 24 and Sept. 28. (Image Credit: Tour de Rock)

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'Just take it in and try to enjoy it:' Nanaimo rider ready as Tour de Rock rolls down Island

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The approximately 1,200-kilometre ride rolls through almost every major community on Vancouver Island, sticking mainly to the east coast but occasionally jutting west to visit Tofino and Ucluelet, as well as Lake Cowichan.

The event is hoping to raise $1 million toward cancer research and funding of Camp Goodtimes, which provides kids battling the disease and their families to enjoy an authentic camp experience.

Since 1994, the ride has raised nearly $58 million.

Waltman said this year’s team are incredibly tight-knit and have actively supported one another during their own fundraising efforts.

“Each team member does their fundraisers, and the other members of the team support them along the way. Anytime I do an event, I put it out to the team, and they come up and support, and it’s incredibly humbling the amount of time and effort that goes into these, and each time someone from the team comes to help.”

Waltman (right) at a recent fundraiser where he braved the dunk tank. (Image Credit: Submitted photo)

Waltman added his body feels ready for the ride, having ridden extensive distances since March, upwards of three or four times per week.

Specific days have been reserved for endurance training and hill rides.

Every pedal, Waltman said, has led to the event itself, which he expects to be an incredible experience.

“During the training, you’re like, ‘oh, I can’t wait to get there.’ And now that you’re there, it’s like, ‘oh, that came fast.’ Every experience along the way you just take it in and try to enjoy it and try to learn from it, and at the end of the day, the purpose is to make a connection with kids and raise money to help send kids to camp, and I think the team this year has done a great job of that.”

The peloton is joined along their ride by a convoy of support vehicles, including emergency first responders.

Drivers are asked to give the team space on area highways as they pass, but Waltman said friendly honks and waves are always welcomed along the way.

Cst. Josh Waltman serves as one of two mental health liaison officers with the Nanaimo RCMP, working alongside specially trained Island Health nurses to work with people in the community in crisis. (Image Credit: Tour de Rock)

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