CHEK Upside: Tour de Rock wraps up 2021 ride

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In the early hours of Friday morning, riders gathered at the View Royal Fire Hall to get things underway.

This year’s Tour de Rock once again featured alumni riders, but with eased COVID restrictions on gatherings, the community stops were back.

“Tour de Rock’s taken on a little bit different form in the last couple years with the global pandemic,” says rider Cole Brewer.

“It doesn’t change that children are still being diagnosed with cancer and the other big thing that hasn’t changed is our community support.”

That support was evident all along the route with plenty of donations and amazing moments on the final day.

“This is Vancouver Island’s biggest charity and that’s not necessarily because of us the riders,” says Brewer.

“It’s all about the people and the community of Vancouver Island who continue to just give and give and support all these kids in the province that are battling cancer.”

As always the school stops provided a source of inspiration, from a rousing welcome thanks to the Reynolds Secondary School band to Oak Bay student Ethan Moen shaving his head.

“Cops for Cancer’s always been really big here at Oak Bay and I really wanted to take part since grade nine,” says Moen.

“So I was like you know what we’re all inside, we’re all sad, let’s bring some joy and let’s grow my hair out in support of this great cause.”

The money raised goes to support Camp Goodtimes, which offers kids with cancer the chance to go to summer camp in a safe, medically supervised, environment.

“We at Camp Goodtimes, most of our funding is from Cops for Cancer, Tour de Rock being most of the funding that comes,” says camp director Danielle McVicar.

To donate to the Tour de Rock, visit their website.

 

Cole SorensonCole Sorenson

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