The annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is scheduled to arrive in Nanaimo on Sunday, Sept. 27, capping part of a 14-day, roughly 1,200-kilometre odyssey that began on Sept. 19 in Port Alice. One of the Nanaimo detachment’s riders said the experience has been a mix of physical strain, remarkable scenery and heartening community support.
Riding for kids and families
Josh Waltman, an RCMP officer with Nanaimo’s detachment and one of the 23 participants this year, said the first days on the bike tested his body — "my butt hurt" — before he adapted to the long hours in the saddle. Despite the aches, Waltman described the ride as “incredible” and said he has been energised by the crowds and school visits along the route.
“It’s been an incredible ride so far, and I’m loving the views and all the people that we’ve been meeting along the way,” Waltman said.
The Tour de Rock is a high-profile West Coast charity tradition that raises money for children living with cancer and their families, supports paediatric cancer research and sends children with cancer to Camp Goodtimes in Maple Ridge each July. Since the event began in 1997, organisers say it typically generates about $1 million each year and has raised more than $30 million in total.
Local stops and celebrations
Riders pulled into Parksville on Thursday, Sept. 24, after a long day of cycling that ended as rain began to fall. Organisers and participants have scheduled a number of community-facing activities in Nanaimo, including school presentations, cheque handovers and a Gala Dinner.
- Arrival in Nanaimo: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Length of ride: Approximately 14 days, ~1,200 kilometres
- Participants: 23 riders this year (including Waltman and colleagues)
- Typical annual funds raised: About $1 million; more than $30 million raised since 1997
Tour de Rock riders typically visit schools as they pass through communities, and Waltman said the sound of children cheering as the team approached has been a highlight. He also flagged a personal moment he is looking forward to: riding into Ladysmith, where he lives, to be greeted by family.
How funds are raised
Each rider is encouraged to raise a minimum of $5,000, with funds directed to support services for children with cancer and their families, as well as research and summer programming at Camp Goodtimes. Waltman said donations appear to be strong this year, noting that "the cheques are pouring in," an indication that fundraising efforts remain robust even as the riders contend with long days on the road.
Participants also said the ride fosters camaraderie among a "super-solid" group of riders, many of whom are current or former members of law enforcement and media or community partners who join the peloton.
Community resonance
As the Tour de Rock arrives in Nanaimo, residents can expect the usual mix of solemn purpose and celebratory events — school assemblies, public welcomes and formal cheque presentations — that characterise the fundraiser. The presence of riders with local ties, like Waltman, creates a personal connection between the effort and the communities it serves.
Those attending community events on Sunday should be prepared for road-side crowds and scheduled stops as organisers balance the ride’s tight schedule with visits and presentations that make the Tour de Rock a visible, emotional and giving tradition for Vancouver Island.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ride length | Approximately 14 days, ~1,200 km |
| Typical annual fundraising | About $1 million |
| Total raised since 1997 | More than $30 million |
| Minimum per participant | $5,000 |
The Tour de Rock’s scheduled stop in Nanaimo offers residents a chance to support local riders and the broader cause. Several community events are planned — including a Gala Dinner and multiple school visits — and organisers say cheque presentations will follow as the city hosts the peloton on Sunday.
