Getting outdoors to support the BC Ride To Conquer Cancer #rtccva

Getting Outdoors to Support a Good Cause - 2014 BC Ride to Conquer Cancer

As the date for the 2014 BC Ride to Conquer Cancer approached we learned that the organizers and sponsors were still in need of crew volunteers.  The event is BC's largest cycling fundraiser.  Over 2 days, cyclists ride 200 km from Surrey to Seattle.

We decided it was time for us to get off our bikes and support other riders who had trained for long, hard hours and had contributed selflessly to raise money for such an important cause.  We registered as crew and were assigned to work Pit Stops throughout the weekend.

Sadly, many, if not most, of the teams and riders have been touched by cancer.  We were amazed, inspired and impressed that despite the emotional connection to this disease, the weekend had an incredible feel of hope, optimism and positivity.  There was a sense of team as so many people from so many walks of life united to ride for the cure.  This year saw 2,104 riders and over 500 volunteers come together to raise 9.1 million dollars.   Since 2009, the ride has raised over 59.1 million dollars for the BC Cancer Foundation.

Check in and breakfast on Day One in Cloverdale

Crew upload area on Day one....which bus are we on?

Day One Pit Stop is almost ready.

How much gatorade powder should we add?

More organized chaos as cyclists abandon their bikes in search of food.

Cyclists mix, mingle and munch - Day One - Pit Stop 3

Comor Techies are faced with a huge line up of cyclists needing help.  Rob pitches in and after 25 tire changes, is made honorary member of the Comor Mechanics team.

Riders arrive at Mt. Vernon Camp....cold, wet , tired and JUBILANT!

The sheep barn becomes the centre for World Cup soccer as cyclists gather to watch Italy vs. England

The sun peaks out and everyone takes the opportunity to try and dry out gear in Tent city.

We were assigned a blue tent!  :)

Pit team gets creative!  After a 3 hour wait for the gear truck which was missing in action, the team decides to take matters into their own hands and loads everything on the bus!

Family and friends celebrate with riders at the turn around route finish line in Cloverdale

Next year, the ride will move to an August date and we are confident that success will follow until one day in the very near future we will not need to ride for a cure, as we will have found it.


Giggle of the weekend:

I think it would be impossible to create a tent city, add 2000 riders and countless volunteers and NOT find something to giggle about!  We must mention our amazing Pit Stop 2 crew on Day 2.  We were working with several nursing students from Langara College.  What a great group!  Once again, the day began with "organized chaos."  We were up bright and early and on our bus by 6 a.m.  We arrived at our designated pit stop early and eagerly awaited the arrival of the gear truck.  Unfortunately, our driver had slept in and then added to his faux pas by driving to the wrong pit stop.  We were beginning to feel anxious that the riders would be at the pit stop before the food and water arrived....and then our worst fears were realized.  We were flooded by riders, just as the gear truck pulled in.

Day 2 - Pit Stop 2 - Gear truck and cyclists arrive at the same time.

Rob was on Gatorade mixing duty and quickly adapted to the situation.  He popped off the lid on the 5 gallon water jug, poured in the gatorade powdered, put the lid back on and yelled to the thirsty cyclists, "watch this boys."  He then pushed the water jug down the hill.  It was a steep hill, so the water jug picked up speed quickly.  One of our Langara nurses began to sprint after it.  She managed to corral the water jug, and carried it back up to the water table.  As she arrived, the cyclists burst into applause, she took a deep bow, and Rob declared...."and that's how you mix gatorade the old school way!"

Pit Stop "Ninjas" celebrate the end of an amazing weekend.

Routes:

This year the ride featured four route options - great variety for cyclists - great logistical challenge for crew!


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