Tour de Rock riders humbled by cancer fundraiser

Tour de Rock riders make their way into CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue during a tour stop on at CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue hall. Photo by Peter Mallett, Lookout

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

This year’s Tour de Rock riders were given a hero’s welcome when they rode their bikes into the base fire hall on Oct. 4.

CFB Esquimalt was one of their final stops in the annual fundraiser that ­benefits pediatric cancer and Camp Goodtimes, a summer camp for children with cancer and their families.

Corporal Michael Smith of the Military Police Unit Esquimalt and Alexandria Marshall of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue were part of the 19-member team of first responders in the final stages of their grueling, two-week, 1,100-kilometre journey across Vancouver Island.

Marshall was given a warm embrace by her boss, CFB Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Geordie Douglas; Cpl Smith and other riders pumped their fists over their heads to a gathering of approximately 100 well-wishers who celebrated their arrival.

By the end of the day, when the team arrived at their final destination at Centennial Square in downtown Victoria, they had raised over $1.1 million.

Cpl Smith says the team’s journey across the Island was more emotionally draining than physically taxing. That’s because his team made over 150 stops at schools, community centres and other venues and heard dozens of stories in each community of loved ones lost or of those currently fighting cancer.

“It was a humbling experience seeing all of Vancouver Island come together and support Tour de Rock and strengthened my faith in humanity to unite and support people in need,” said Cpl Smith.

He and each rider on the tour was paired with a junior rider who has overcome or is battling cancer, which he says creates a two-way street of inspiration and motivation. His junior rider was Marley, a cancer survivor. Cpl Smith says she helped him get through some trying moments on his journey. Those included multiple spells of heavy rain with the constant spray of mud and road grease up into his face.

“She was the one that got me over the hills, through the heavy rains and the dirty spray into my eyes, and made me remember who I was riding for.”

For more information about the Tour de Rock and how to get involved visit their website: https://www.tourderock.ca