Former Langford resident plans to cycle for cancer research

Rick Stiebel

B次元官网网址 Gazette staff

Rick Stiebel

B次元官网网址 Gazette staff

Aaron Jacob is determined to do his fair share and arguably much more in the fight to eradicate childhood cancer.

Jacob, who grew up in Langford, will wheel his bike and trailer out on June 1 and attempt to cycle 7,800 kilometres across Canada by June 30. HeB次元官网网址檚 a part of this yearB次元官网网址檚 Great Cycle Challenge to raise money in support of research to develop treatments and a cure for childhood cancer.

Although heB次元官网网址檚 always been active in sports, particularly soccer, fastball and bowling, Jacob hadnB次元官网网址檛 done much cycling since his childhood before he took it up again about six years ago.

B次元官网网址淚 found out I had a sibling that my older sister tracked down in Redding, California,B次元官网网址� said the 25-year Canada Post employee. B次元官网网址淗e came up for a visit three years ago and my sister-in-law joked that we should cycle down there.B次元官网网址�

Jacob did just that in 2015, and has been hooked on long-distance cycling since.

He completed 4,600 km in the Great Cycle Challenge last June, cycling around the mainland and Vancouver Island from a B次元官网网址渉ome baseB次元官网网址� in Kelowna.

B次元官网网址淚 started there because I wanted to visit my former soccer and fastball coach, Bob Harris, and his son, Bobby,B次元官网网址� Jacob explained. B次元官网网址淏ob was a huge influence in my life, like a second father, and I hadnB次元官网网址檛 seen him in 30 years. Bobby has dealt with five different cancers, and Bob had cancer as well. The idea of taking part in the Great Cycling Challenge popped up in the midst of planning the trip to Kelowna, so it all just came together.B次元官网网址�

While Jacob admitted the first two weeks of cycling in the event last year were B次元官网网址減retty damn tough,B次元官网网址� he realizes the challenge this year will be even more demanding. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 love to do it all in June, but thatB次元官网网址檚 266 kilometres a day pulling a trailer along the way,B次元官网网址� he noted.

B次元官网网址淲hen you consider the weather is unpredictable, itB次元官网网址檚 a little unrealistic, but thatB次元官网网址檚 the goal IB次元官网网址檝e set. I look at it like IB次元官网网址檓 riding a bike, I donB次元官网网址檛 have cancer. If I have to suffer a little, itB次元官网网址檚 worth it to help kids with cancer.B次元官网网址�

Jacob has gathered pledges from family, friends and people he works with, and has approached various local companies for support as well. He will depart from Mile Zero in Victoria at 5 a.m. this Thursday and be on the 7 a.m. ferry from Swartz Bay.

B次元官网网址淚 love cycling and itB次元官网网址檚 my time to make this kind of contribution while I can,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淣o one knows what the future holds.B次元官网网址�

The inaugural Great Cycle Challenge in 2016 involved 10,034 riders from all provinces and territories, who pedaled more than 1.47 million km.

Participants set a distance goal to challenge themselves, whether itB次元官网网址檚 10, 20 or 2,000 kilometres. Riders track their progress using the Strava app, MapmyRide, their personal GPS, or manually through their profile page.

CyclistsB次元官网网址� efforts last year raised nearly $1.8 million for the National SickKids Foundation.

More than 1,400 children in Canada are diagnosed with cancer each year.

reporter@goldstream

gazette.com