The Canadian Cancer Society’s Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders have been busy training for the 850-kilometre road bike from Prince George to Prince Rupert from Sept. 12 to 18.
Riders fundraise a minimum of $3,000 each to support kids with cancer and their families.
The east/west route will begin with a send off Sept. 12 in Prince George starting in the early morning, before riders arrive in Vanderhoof by mid afternoon the same day after 100 kilometres of cycling.
On Sept. 13 riders embark for a 130-kilometre trek from Vanderhoof, to Fraser Lake, to Burns Lake, before leaving Sept. 14 to travel from Burns Lake, to Houston and finally to Smithers — another 150-kilometre stretch of terrain.
Sept. 15 will be somewhat of a recovery day as riders will cycle 75 kilometres from Smithers, to Moricetown and to Hazelton, prior to a 195-kilometre stretch — the longest of the tour — the following day, Sept. 16, from Hazelton to Kitimat.
The next day riders will go from Kitimat to Terrace — a 65-kilometre portion — before closing out the Tour de North Sept. 18 from Terrace to the riders’ final destination, Prince Rupert.
Tour de North has raised more than $2 million for pediatric cancer research and support programs through www.campgoodtimes.org in its 13 years.
A total of 29 participants have chosen to take part in this year’s ride including: David Wolchuk (Burns Lake RCMP), Mathew Ferguson (Dawson Creek RCMP), Leo Corcoran (Dawson Creek RCMP), Brad Vandine (Fort St. John RCMP), Kevin Marques (Fort St. John RCMP), Pat Egan (Fort St. John RCMP), Steven Francoeur (Fort St. John RCMP), Jennifer McCreesh (Smithers RCMP), Robert Buller (Kitimat RCMP), Chris Emon (Prince George RCMP), Sofia Delismunovic (Prince George RCMP), Holly Lavin (Prince George RCMP), Paul Starr (Prince George RCMP), Jen Collins (Prince Rupert RCMP), Brand Ewacha (Terrace RCMP), Brian Evans (Williams Lake RCMP), Chris Romanchych (Williams Lake RCMP), Gregg Strom (Williams Lake RCMP), Brendan Charna (Williams Lake RCMP), Kevin Warkentin (Mackenzie RCMP), Dave Dickson (Williams Lake safer communities co-ordinator), Bob Killerby (retired member, Prince Rupert), Rohitha Fernando (Smithers), Dennis Schwab (Prince George), Mathew Clarabut (Terrace), Dakota Stone (B.C. Ambulance Service, Prince George), Sharon Unger (BCAS, Vanderhoof), Cheryl Miller (BCAS, Mackenzie) and Pete Montana (Williams Lake media).
For more information or to make a donation visit www.tourdenorth.ca or contact Erin Reynolds at 250-645-2365.