What began over a decade ago with just a handful of riders has grown into a major fundraiser, with 110 cyclists raising nearly $2.7 million for hospice care across Vancouver Island.
Now in its 12th year, the Cycle of Life Tour includes riders supporting hospice organizations in Victoria, Campbell River, Comox, Nanaimo, Cowichan, Oceanside, Salt Spring, and Sooke.
Over two days, cyclists ride a scenic 200-kilometre route through the Saanich Peninsula and Cowichan Valley, with a detour on Salt Spring Island, all under blissful summer skies.
Year after year, event organizer Wendy Innes waits at the finish line to congratulate riders and thank them for pedalling for a good cause.
“They're just a really compassionate, heartfelt group of people who really wear their hearts on their sleeves and pedal hard to raise awareness and support for palliative care,” she said.
As the last riders crossed the finish line around 2:30 p.m. on July 20, Innes announced the fundraiser had set a new record, raising just under $430,000, surpassing this year’s goal by nearly $100,000.
Since 2011, Innes said, the event has raised nearly $2.7 million in support of much-needed end-of-life care for Island residents.
“None of the hospices on the Island are fully funded. They rely on community donations,” she said. “We provide dignity, comfort and care for patients at the end of their life – whether it's in our inpatient unit or for people dying at home – and their family.”
For that reason, Innes said, many of this year’s riders had a personal connection to Victoria Hospice and were pedalling in honour of a loved one.
Among the riders was Angus Izard, treasurer of Victoria Hospice and a first-time rider, who decided to take the leap and join this year’s tour.
“It was awesome!” he said. “The event was super well organized, with lots of enthusiasm and a lot of positive people with great stories to tell.”
Although cycling 200 kilometres is no small feat, Izard said he enjoyed every minute of it, especially the dip in Salt Spring’s Cusheon Lake on his way back to Victoria, all while raising money for a good cause.
“I’ve had many friends go through hospice, and it’s the quality of care they receive when they need it most, at one of the hardest times in their lives, that really stands out,” he said. “The support they give the families before and after is just fantastic.”
