Oceanside's Cops for Cancer, RCMP constables Jordan Reid and George Minshull, are training hard these days as they prepare for the 1,100 km cycle down the Island.
The pair is doing three training rides a week with the largest north Island team ever, with 11 out of the 24 law enforcement, media and guest rider from the entire Island.
"Training is going well," Minshull said.
The team does long rides Sunday, hill work Tuesdays and speed rides Thursdays, gearing up for the 100-plus km days they will do on the Tour de Rock in September.
Aside from their full time jobs and rigorous training schedules, the riders are busy at local events and canvassing for donations and support for the huge annual ride — of which Black Press is a major sponsor — which has raised more than $20 million for pediatric cancer since 1998.
The team is heading to Camp Goodtimes in Maple Ridge today (July 17), one of the ride's major benefactors, where children with cancer get to have a normal summer camp experience.
Minshull and Reid have stressed that the entire effort is about the kids and they expect this visit to be a highlight for them.
Scheduled so far, the riders will take part in the Street Dance on Craig Street in front of Pacific Brimm in Parksville on July 31. In conjunction with the Extreme Eatz food truck, local band Exit 51 will play and there will be other activities from 6-10 p.m.
There is a beer and burger fundraiser at Thalassa Restaurant at the Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club Aug. 8. There will be silent and live auctions, a putting contest, draws and a live piano performance by Brodie Dawson. Doors open at 6, dinner is at 7, and the music starts at 8. Tickets are $30 with only 120 available.
The team will also participate in the 15th annual Bike For Your Life ride Aug. 10 (bikeforyourlife.org) when more than 300 riders are expected to take part in five different length rides starting at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre.
Keep an eye out for the local riders training or at events in the community. They are selling 2,000 raffle tickets for a TT-R230 Yamaha dirt bike and custom trailer. Tickets are $10, available at the Oceanside RCMP detachment, with all proceeds going to the tour and thus the Canadian Cancer Society. The draw will be Aug. 30 at Spunky's Motorcycle Shop.
The Tour de Rock runs Sep. 20 to Oct. 3, stopping in Oceanside Sep. 25-26. Visit www.tourderock.ca for more information.