Base riders ready to rock

CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue Services Alexandria Marshall (left) and Corporal Michael Smith of Military Police Unit Esquimalt bump fists in front of emergency services vehicles. The duo will participate in the upcoming Tour de Rock fundraiser to benefit pediatric cancer, Sept. 21 to Oct. 4.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

The road ahead is an arduous one but two cyclists from CFB Esquimalt say they are pumped about pedaling for this year’s Tour de Rock cycling team.

Alexandria Marshall of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue Services and Corporal Michael Smith of the base’s Military Police Unit (MPU) are part of the 22-member team taking part in this year’s 22nd annual Cops4Cancer fundraiser. The 2019 Tour de Rock team will include 21 emergency services workers and one media member who will set off from Port Alice on the northern tip of Vancouver Island on Sept. 21 and conclude in Victoria Oct. 4, covering more than 1,000 kilometres.

But it’s more than just a physical challenge, as each rider on the team is required to raise a minimum of $6,000 through various fundraising initiatives in the coming months, with proceeds to benefit pediatric cancer research and Camp Good Times, a summer camp for children impacted by cancer. Tour de Rock is one of the most popular and largest charitable events on the island and last year’s ride raised more $1.2-million in donations.

In 2018, riders Matt Arnsdorf of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue and Sub-Lieutenant Antoine LeBlanc of MPU made the journey on behalf of the base. It’s a cause both Cpl Smith and Marshall are fully behind, with both saying cancer is a disease that has touched both of their lives.

Marshall, 27, works at the fire department as a firefighter. She grew up in the Saanich Peninsula and says one of her childhood friends was diagnosed with leukemia and remembers Tour de Rock riders visiting her school in support of her friend and others like him.

“His story has stuck in my mind ever since,” said Marshall. “When the lieutenant on my shift, Matt Arnsdorf, came forward and asked me if I would be interested in riding in this year’s Tour de Rock, I couldn’t say no.”

When Marshall announced her involvement in the Tour de Rock, her friend – who went on to beat leukemia – sent her a message of support. 

Cpl Smith, 28, grew up in London, Ont. and works for the MPU on patrol duty. He concurs with his teammate and says cancer has also impacted his own family, community and many others across the country.

“Cancer has effected ours and everyone’s lives in Canada,” said Cpl Smith. “When I am struggling up a hill in training it’s easy to get discouraged, until I imagine the amount of suffering and pain children suffering from cancer are going through.”

The physical demands of cycling are more familiar to Marshall than Cpl Smith. While Marshall has been involved in the sport of cycling since she was three-years-old and was a member of her high school’s mountain biking club and participated in competitive downhill mountain biking races; Cpl Smith is a self-proclaimed novice to the sport. 

In preparation, both riders have been busy attending team training sessions three times per week since March where they ride distances of between 20 to 100 km per day. But their challenge isn’t just making sure they are in top physical readiness for the tour, they are also tasked with reaching their fundraising goals.

Marshall is planning to hold a car wash in Saanich in late July to raise money while Cpl Smith says he has already begun his fundraising on Facebook by auctioning off a Father’s Day Gift package last week. The duo will be involved in numerous fundraising events through Tour de Rock including an Aug. 9 spin-a-thon in Dockyard to boost support and awareness about their cause.

Individual donations can be made by visiting their personal donations pages: Convio.cancer.ca/goto/Michaelsmith and Convio.cancer.ca/goto/Alexandriamarshall.