Const. Elyse Patten grew up around the police force, her father being a member of the Saanich police department, and has been involved with the annual ride throughout much of the eventB次元官网网址檚 history. This year, sheB次元官网网址檒l get a chance to ride in the event itself for the very first time.
The Tour de Rock is a 1,000 kilometre, 14 day ride from Port Alice to Victoria, with funds going to the Canadian Cancer SocietyB次元官网网址檚 fight against childhood cancer. Since its inception in 1998, more than $20 million has been raised.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great cause and a small way for me to try and make a difference for these kids that are fighting for their lives,B次元官网网址� Patten said.
This will be PattenB次元官网网址檚 first major bike ride and sheB次元官网网址檚 been training three times a week since she found out that she was selected for the team in May. Those training sessions consist of 30 to 100 km rides with her colleagues from the southern part of the Island and recently included a ride to the top of Mt. Washington.
B次元官网网址淚t was something I never thought I would do,B次元官网网址� Patten laughed. B次元官网网址淭hat was a pretty awesome accomplishment.B次元官网网址�
Their training focuses on speed, hills and long distances depending on the night of the week. The Mt. Washington ride was a particularly telling barometer, as Tour veterans will say that if a rider can complete that ride then they can complete any stage on the entire tour.
B次元官网网址淗alf of the battle of the riding aspect is that itB次元官网网址檚 a mental game,B次元官网网址� Patten said.
Beyond the time on her bike, Patten is looking forward to visiting schools along the route.
B次元官网网址淎 lot of the schools do their own fundraising and they have so much enthusiasm and they are part of what makes the tour great,B次元官网网址� she said.
SheB次元官网网址檒l also be joined by two junior riders, Daisy Irwin, 11, and Hannah Day, 6, two children from Sooke who have unfortunately had cancer play a large role in their childhood.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e the reason IB次元官网网址檓 doing this and they are the ones that inspire me to push harder,B次元官网网址� Patten said.
Before the Tour gets underway on Sept. 24, the West Shore will be the site for two fundraising events.
Patten will host the Tour de Games on Aug. 6 at Ruth King Elementary from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ItB次元官网网址檒l be a fun event for kids of all ages, with hamster balls, bumper ball, a bike rodeo, a dunk tank and a barbecue.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty much just an open family event, kids and adults can do the activities and the funds are going to be going towards Tour de Rock,B次元官网网址� Patten said.
The following week, on Aug. 13, the West Shore RCMP detachment will host a garage sale full of donated items, with proceeds once again going towards the ride.
