The Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team cycled across Sutton Pass into the West Coast on Sept. 28 where they were greeted by loud cheers and a fundraising barbecue at the Ucluelet Co-op.
The Tour de Rock is an annual 14-day, 1,200-kilometre bike ride from Port Hardy to Victoria that raises money for pediatric cancer research as well as sending kids to Camp Goodtimes, an experience for kids living with cancer to enjoy with their families.
This year’s cycling team featured 16 riders representing police, paramedics, firefighters and media.
Chris Baratto is a paramedic with BC Ambulance Service Station 134 in Ucluelet and a member of the Sproat Lake Fire Department and he was thrilled to be cheered alongside his teammates as he pedalled into the Co-op parking lot.
“When we get to the junction, everyone thinks the ride is over, but there’s another eight kilometres to get down to the Co-op and there’s some nice hills. If you know how to ride the momentum, it’s a nice, fun ride coming into town and it’s just so welcoming to see familiar faces,” Barrato told the Westerly News at the event. “It was very nice to come back to home.”
Baratto said he was motivated to join this year’s team after battling liver cancer last year and being covered with support from his community.
“Based on all the generosity of the town that I came from, I just wanted to pay it forward,” he said. “The whole town of Port Alberni and Sproat Lake supported me and my wife in a time where we really needed the community to gather around.”
He added the experience has been powerfully emotional and generated lifelong memories.
“It’s something memorable and special on my journey of recovery as well,” he said. “Along the ride, we’ve met children living with cancer, survivors and siblings that unfortunately their siblings did not make it. We ride for them. There are no bad parts of this ride, but everyone’s got their harder days. When we ride with our honourary riders, have breakfast with them and hear their stories, it gives us that ‘aha moment’ of why we’re doing it. These are memories that we won’t ever forget.”
The team presented plaques to the Ucluelet Co-op and local RCMP for their support of the cause over the years with Const. Marcel Midlane of the RCMP West Coast Marine Service accepting on behalf of the RCMP.
Midlane was a member of the Ucluelet RCMP detachment when he participated in the Tour de Rock ride in 2017 and confirmed the memories “absolutely” last forever.
“I remember when I rode in here that day from Port Alberni, the overwhelming support of everybody, the goosebumps and the amazing feeling,” he said. “You do it for the kids, the smiles and knowing that the efforts you’re putting in aren’t anywhere near what these kids are going through in their lives. It makes every bit of it worthwhile just knowing that we’re supporting the kids and their families and getting them through the worst times of their life. It’s an extremely important cause and we all do it for a good reason. No matter the weather, terrain or other things going on in our lives, you just make it work. It’s a great cause and I really appreciate everyone coming out for it.”
He commended the Tour de Rock team and organizers for the efforts they put in each year and added the West Coast continues to be a staple on the ride’s route because of the support the community gives each year.
“They all get together and put a tonne of effort and training into making this a success every year. Obviously, the reason being for the children and sending kids with cancer to Camp Goodtimes, pediatric cancer research and showing them that we’re supporting them through this never ending battle with cancer,” he said. “Ucluelet, Tofino and the West Coast have always been excellent supporters of the cause and that’s always much appreciated. It takes a lot to make this all happen, but they ride here for a reason; because the West Coast has always been so phenomenal to Tour de Rock.”