The Cops for Cancer Tour de North made its second-to-last stop in Terrace yesterday as riders continued their 850-kilometre journey from Prince George to Prince Rupert.
The annual ride raises money for pediatric cancer research and programs like Camp Goodtimes while also honoring the memory of Shane Kelly, a Prince George rider who was killed in a hit-and-run incident earlier this year. Kelly, who worked in the Prince Rupert area, has been remembered throughout the tour with each rider wearing a jersey marked in Memory of Shane Kelly.
For Prince George rider Ron Gallo, the experience has been an eye-opener. Though he has lived in the north for decades, the ride has taken him to places he had never seen before. He said all the sights have been one of the most rewarding parts of the tour.
“The best part is, of course, the scenery that’s out west, despite mt age, and despite how long I’ve lived in Prince George, I’ve never been farther west than Smithers,” Gallo explained. “So here we are in Terrace, and I understand that we get to follow the Skeena River right on through to Prince Rupert, an area of the province I’ve never actually been in.”
The physical challenge has been significant with long days on the road and unpredictable weather. But Gallo said the cause at the heart of the ride makes every climb and every kilometre worthwhile.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking when you hear the stories of very young children, two and three years old, being diagnosed with cancer, and now the whole family has to figure out what life with cancer is going to be all about,” he remarked. “And of course, the one other thing that we do a lot of fundraising for is Camp Goodtimes.”
Camp Goodtimes is a summer camp in British Columbia for kids living with cancer and their families. It has everything you would expect from a regular camp like games, outdoor activities and new friends, while also making sure kids can get the medical care they need.
The stop in Terrace was another example of how much support the team has received throughout their journey in the north. Residents turned out to cheer, wave, and welcome the peloton with encouragement. Gallo said those moments create lasting memories and remind the riders how much their work matters.
“Everywhere we go, we’re being welcomed into a community and we are being welcomed at the level as if we were part of the family,” he shared.
“There’s just a great level of appreciation for what we’re doing, but you got to remember, our level of appreciation is just as high, because of the communities and the fundraising that they’ve done, and going out of he way to make sure that we have a stop where we can have a meal, where we get to make sure we get to continue on this journey.”
With Prince Rupert on the horizon, the riders are closing in on the finish line. But for Gallo, the real measure of success is in the connections made and the message left behind in each community.
“For people to recognize us and see us all in the peloton and see us all in the same jerseys rolling through their communities and giving us honks and waves, that’s a huge encouragement for the peloton as they roll through.”
As the team heads toward the coast of the Pacific Ocean, they continue to ride not only for cancer research and support programs but also in memory of Shane Kelly, ensuring his legacy remains at the heart of the Tour de North.
