Nearly 100 cyclists hit the pavement Friday morning, embarking on a two-day, 240-kilometre pedal from the Valley to Victoria.
Participants in the fourth annual Boomer’s Ride started the journey after ceremonies at 19 Wing Comox and at the gravesite of Andrew (Boomer) Eykelenboom at the Courtenay Civic Cemetery.
Eykelenboom was a Comox soldier killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2006.
The cyclists — comprised of military personnel and civilians whose bikes were adorned with pictures and bios of fallen soldiers — spent several months training for the event. They needed to fundraise a minimum of $300 for Boomer’s Legacy, a charitable foundation to help people in war-torn countries.
Past participants have called the experience a life-changing honour to commemorate Boomer’s memory — along with all Canadian soldiers who have given their lives for freedom in Afghanistan — and to support projects funded by his legacy.
“Andrew was a completely selfless person,” said Master Cpl. John Gute, a 19 Wing SarTech and friend of Eykelenboom’s who rode in the event for the third time. “That’s just the way he was and this is absolutely what he would have wanted.”
Lieut.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk, Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff, was among the riders.
“It puts money in the hands of young soldiers, sailers, and airmen and women so that when they are in harms way they can make a difference just like Andrew wanted to make a difference,” said Natynczyk, who rode to the first rest stop in Buckley Bay.
Boomer’s Legacy has funded humanitarian projects such as midwife training for women in Kandahar, specialized surgeries for children and wheelchairs for disabled children.
“To see that kind of positive effect come from such great tragedy I think inspires all of us who are here in this ride and inspires all Canadians,” Natynczyk said.
“They (Eykelenboom family) have been able to find a great niche on how to make an impact abroad, and that’s to help the soldiers help others,” Wing commander Col. Michel Lalumière said.
Cyclists pedaled to Nanaimo Friday and the BC Legislature in Victoria Saturday.
Second World War veteran Doug Yeo, 87, rode the entire distance. His reason for joining the ride?
“Well, just the fact I was a serviceperson once and I was aware of little kiddies in France that needed all kinds of help,” Yeo said. “I was just drawn to what Maureen’s (Eykelenboom) doing for her son and all the kids in Afghanistan.”
Residents in communities along the way were encouraged to line the route and to wear red to the support the riders.
For more information visit www.boomerslegacy.ca.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
