Twenty-two cyclists hit the road Thursday to begin the Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley, an 800-kilometre-long journey to raise money for cancer research.
The Tour began with a send-off Thursday morning at Saint John Brebeuf secondary, where the riders received a rousing ovation and received special bead necklaces from junior team members, and cancer survivors, Liam Unger and Kayla Sloan. Three cyclists also had their heads shaved.
The cyclists, including four Abbotsford Police Department members, will ride for eight days. They'll first head east, through Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope and up the Fraser Canyon to Boston Bar. They will return to Abbotsford on Monday, Sept. 29, stopping in Mission that night. Over the ensuing days they will make stops in Langley, Surrey, Delta Tsawwassen and White Rock Along the way, they will stop at schools and businesses to raise money and promote the cause.
The tour finishes in Surrey, Langley and Delta on Friday, Oct. 3. Other stops are in Chilliwack, Hope, Boston Bar, Langley, White Rock, and Tsawwassen.
Each rider's bike is adorned with the name of a young person who has battled cancer.
Team captain Trevor Sales says the bravery shown by children with cancer is a major source of inspiration.
"The kids that we ride for are very special to us and to be able to do this tour is a huge honour," Sales told the students. "Some of them win [their battles with cancer], some of them don't, but through it all they inspire us."
For more information, or to donate, visit tourdevalley.ca.