Let the Camp Goodtimes roll!
The 25th anniversary of the Tour de Rock Cops for Cancer, with proceeds going toward sending kids affected by childhood cancer to Camp Goodtimes, rode into Chemainus for breakfast at the Chemainus Legion Tuesday morning.
It’s the first time the usual breakfast has been served up by Legion 191 volunteers for the full complement of riders since 2019 due to COVID. A limited number of riders kept the tour going the last two years covering regional portions of the route.
Related story: Tour de Rock: Meet the 2019 team to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society
The Chemainus stop included the traditional trike ride and the wearing of clothing of shame by a member of the group who allegedly committed some sort of undetermined offense to deserve the honour. Rachelle Cole of BC Emergency Services in Ucluelet was a good sport about riding a lap inside the Legion under the peering eyes of the public.
Peter Richmond, Paul McGregor and Betty Hewitt of 49th Parallel Grocery were presented with a plaque for their support of the tour that actually goes back to the very beginning. The food for the breakfast was donated by 49th Parallel.
Mike Beggs also accepted a plaque on behalf of the Legion from the riders for the organization’s long-standing contributions.
The Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary provided its usual large donation to the tour of $10,000 from money raised at its highly-successful Thrift Store venture.
“Our auxiliary could not do this without the support of our community,” said president Donna McCasky.
The riders then departed for a quick stop at Chemainus Elementary School amid much fanfare.
Chemainus Elementary’s Mike Dunn said the day actually marked the launch of the school’s Tour de Rock fundraising campaign. He encouraged students to donate a loonie or a toonie each and then perhaps benefit from some extra time in the sunshine, as a result.
“We want to support kids,” said Dunn. “You know people who are going through tough times. Thank you all very much for all that you’re doing.”
The riders have been blessed with ideal weather since starting in Port Alice on Sept. 24. Crew member Dave Giles said the only years to match this one were 2006 and 2008.
“They were the only riders without significant rain,” he said. “They’ve been so lucky, which is good for the finale, too.”
The tour wraps up in Victoria Friday, Oct. 7.
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