After 14 days and cycling 1,200 kilometres across Vancouver Island, the 2023 Tour de Rock has surpassed its fundraising goal.
The 19 riders started the ride in Port Alice on Sept. 23 and have cycled their way down the Island visiting 29 communities along the way.
At the finale at the B.C. legislature, the team announced it had raised $1,027,559.46, surpassing the goal of $1 million. The annual ride raises money for childhood cancer research.
Before making the way to the finale at the legislature, the team stopped by CHEK.
“Thank you for all the support you’ve given me over the past seven months,” Hannah Lepine, CHEK’s weekend anchor and a Tour de Rock media rider said. “I really appreciate it for getting me this far, and it’s a shame I couldn’t finish but it’s great to be here and have you all here to support.”
During the team’s ride to Ucluelet, the riders were going down a hill and several riders fell off their bikes. Lepine broke her collarbone and was unable to finish the ride as a result.
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Kayla Carlson, a Tour de Rock rider from North Cowichan Fire, says she’s happy to have been part of the 2023 Tour de Rock ride.
“It’s so incredible to meet some of the children battling cancer and their families,” Carlson said.
“And then also our Tour family as well. People can tell you about what it’s like to ride a Tour but until you’re actually in it yourself and you’re immersed in the culture it’s so inspiring. There’s so many brave individuals throughout this journey and it’s something I’ll take with me for the rest of my life.”
$1,027,559.46 ⚡️
Thank You Vancouver Island! pic.twitter.com/pckO4TfoNN
— Tour de Rock (@TourdeRock) October 7, 2023
Laura Brougham
