After losing his mom to cancer at the age of 16, Campbell RiverB次元官网网址檚 Shawn Hall knew he wanted to do something to help others fight the disease.

When the opportunity to ride in the Canadian Cancer SocietyB次元官网网址檚 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock came along, he jumped at the chance.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always wanted to do something for a worthy cause, especially cancer,B次元官网网址� said Hall, a firefighter and an auxiliary police officer with the Campbell River RCMP. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something I donB次元官网网址檛 wish on any kid. I saw the tour as an opportunity to help.B次元官网网址�

Although his cycling experience was limited, Hall said other police officers recognized the tour as something he would enjoy and be successful at.

B次元官网网址淲orking up at the detachment, a couple of officers said, B次元官网网址楬ey Shawn, youB次元官网网址檇 be good at that,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Hall said. B次元官网网址淚t was definitely something I wanted to do, but I didnB次元官网网址檛 know if I was in good enough shape. I wasnB次元官网网址檛 too sure.B次元官网网址�

Before signing up for the tour, Hall occasionally would take his road bike for a spin, but nothing too serious. He has, however, cycled competitively on two different occasions.

Twice he took part in the Comox ValleyB次元官网网址檚 Royal LePage Snow to Surf Adventure Relay which combines skiing, running, mountain biking, kayaking, road cycling and canoeing.

To gear up for the much longer, 1,000-kilometre Tour de Rock, which takes cyclists from one end of the Island to the other, Hall has been cycling three days a week.

He and a team of police officers and media personalities who represent the north half of the Island, ride together to build up their strength and endurance.

On Tuesdays the group focuses on hill riding, typically 30 to 40 kilometres at a time, while Thursday night is reserved for practising speed, again usually a 30- to 40-kilometre ride.

Sundays are when the group does a more relaxing, but longer ride. Those trips tend to be around 100 kilometres.

As the northern most member of the team, Hall typically has to drive down to either the Comox Valley, Parksville or Nanaimo for each ride.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of travel, definitely the whole summer itB次元官网网址檚 been a big commitment between training and fundraising, but itB次元官网网址檚 a good cause,B次元官网网址� Hall said.

So far, fundraisers have included a golf tournament at StoreyB次元官网网址檚 Creek, bagging groceries at Thrifty Foods and cycling for about an hour on a stationary bicycle during Canada Day festivities.

Hall plans to hold a few car washes and barbecues later this summer, as well as a possible wine tasting in the fall.

The highlight of the journey so far for Hall was a recent trip to Camp Goodtimes on the Lower Mainland, a week-long summer camp for kids and teens battling cancer and their families.

B次元官网网址淲e hung out with the kids and did a casino night with them,B次元官网网址� Hall said. B次元官网网址淲e each took a game station and the kids went through and used fake money and they had a great time. We even had a pay-it- forward booth where the kids could donate the money they had won to a charity.B次元官网网址�

Hall said thinking of those kids, and others who are battling cancer, will be what helps him push through the gruelling 14-day ride this fall.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a long time to be on a bike, but then itB次元官网网址檚 not so bad when you think of why youB次元官网网址檙e riding and you just push through the pain because you know thereB次元官网网址檚 kids going through worse than you.B次元官网网址�