The Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders and team stop for a lunch break along their 850-kilometre journey from Prince George to Prince Rupert Sunday afternoon. Here, the team is 28 kilometres from Burns Lake, and, so far, has been battling challenging weather conditions along the way, as snow can be seen on the mountaintops in the background. (Photo submitted)

The Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders and team stop for a lunch break along their 850-kilometre journey from Prince George to Prince Rupert Sunday afternoon. Here, the team is 28 kilometres from Burns Lake, and, so far, has been battling challenging weather conditions along the way, as snow can be seen on the mountaintops in the background. (Photo submitted)

Cops for Cancer riders challenged by weather, but pushing on

The Cops for Cancer Tour de North team is pushing on despite inclement weather so far

Cops for Cancer Tour de North riders are pushing on in pursuit of their goal of raising funds for pediatric cancer research.

Since the group left Prince George Friday on its 850-kilometre journey in seven days to Prince Rupert, riders have been challenged by inclement weather.

The team wasted little time following its Jail ‘n’ Bail fundraiser in Williams Lake last week, hitting the road for its seven-day, 850-kilometre journey from Prince George to Prince Rupert.

Friday, participants took part in leg one — a 100-kilometre bike ride to Vanderhoof, followed by an extensive 175-kilometre trek to Fort St. James and back, then to Fraser Lake on Saturday.

READ MORE: Tour de North Cops for Cancer team kicks off 850-kilometre journey

Today, Sept. 16, the group is on its way from Fraser Lake to Burns Lake, a 70-kilometre ride.

From Williams Lake Dave Dickson, Const. Joel Kooger and his wife, Alison Kooger, Const. Taylor Callens and Const. Isaac Perreault Labbe are participating.

“Yesterday we had snow, sleet, rain and heavy winds. Horrible riding conditions,” Dickson said of the weather the group has experienced so far, noting it was 2 C during a lunch stop Sunday 28 kilometres from Burns Lake.

Earlier Sunday, the group hosted a fundraising breakfast at the Legion in Fraser Lake — one of its many fundraisers along the journey — before getting back on the road.

READ MORE: Cops for Cancer Tour de North ready to ride

During its Jail ‘n’ Bail fundraiser in Williams Lake last Wednesday, the team raised more than $30,000 and its more than well on its way to raising its $200,000 fundraising goal.

The Cops for Cancer Tour de North schedule for the rest of the trip is as follows:

• Sept. 16, Day 3: Fraser Lake to Burns Lake – 70 km

• Sept. 17, Day 4: Burns Lake to Smithers – 150 km

• Sept. 18, Day 5: Smithers to Hazelton – 75 km

• Sept. 19, Day 6: Hazelton to Terrace – 145 km

• Sept. 20, Day 7: Terrace to Prince Rupert – 150 km

Tour de North 2018 Riders include:

Alison Kooger, RCMP (family), Williams Lake

Amy Ballantyne, RCMP Dispatch, Prince George

Anne Bock, RCMP, Quesnel

Bob Killbery, RCMP Retired, Prince Rupert

Brent Benbow, RMCP, Prince George

Caelum Ellis, Community, Smithers

Cam Bradshaw, RMCP, Fort Nelson

Cathy Scott, BCAS, Fraser Lake

Cole Ebeling, RCMP, Prince George

Craig LePoidevin, BCAS, Fraser Lake

Dave Dickson, RCMP Retired, Williams Lake

Dennis Schwab, Community, Prince George

Devon Gerrits, RCMP, Prince Rupert

Isaac Perreault Labbe, RCMP, Williams Lake

Jeffrey Ludovici, RMCP, Mackenzie

Jen Collins, RCMP, Prince George

Joel Kooger, RCMP, Williams Lake

Joelle Jensen, Sheriff, Fort St John

Keasha Sjodin, RCMP, Prince George

Maggie Walsh, RCMP, Dease Lake

Martin Neveu, RCMP, Mackenzie

Mathew Clarabut, RCMP, Kitimat

Patrick Tilma, RCMP, Terrace

Peter Wharton, Sheriff, Prince George

Rebecca Bojczuk, RCMP, Fort St. John

Robert Hillhouse, Community, Prince George

Robert Pictou, Media, Terrace

Rudi Peters, Community, Terrace

Ryan Hobbs, RCMP, Houston

Sarah Shaw, BCAS, Dawson Creek

Spencer Owen, RCMP, Fort St John

Stefanie Wainman, RCMP, Prince Rupert

Susan Jones, Community, Houston

Taylor Callens, RCMP, Williams Lake

Zoe Moshansky, BCAS, Dawson Creek


sports@wltribune.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Williams Lake Tribune