Starting in September, Cops for Cancer will be cycling from Dawson Creek to Williams Lake.
“Today (Friday), they’re out braving the cold and the rain on their first training ride of the season,” said Event Lead Georgia Hennessy Jackson.
The event is returning for the 21st year, with 22 riders, including 15 new riders.
Two of the riders come from the Prince George RCMP, Robert Warren, 29, and Stacey Osiowy, 45.
“We did anticipate some rain and you just kind of fight through it,” Warren said.
“We’re going to ride in the rain in September and probably ride in the snow so it’s a good training experience for everybody, and it’s good to get out with the group and mingle.”
It’s the first time on the Tour de North for both Warren and Osiowy.
“Thankfully I am not the only beginner in the group, and now that we’ve done [the training ride] I’m really excited for the ride come September,” Osiowy added.
Warren said his inspiration to ride was to join a really good cause for kids, but Osiowy’s inspiration was more personal.
“For me, two years ago, my cousin’s lost their baby girl at the age of two to cancer,” she said.
“She had a rare form of leukemia and was in children’s hospital for seven months. For me, I’m riding in honour of Jia and my family, so it’s a really personal ride for me. Training is going to be hard, but it’s not hard compared to what families experiencing this are going through.”
The fundraising goal for this year is $150,000, Hennessy Jackson added they have already raised $20,000.
To date, Cops for Cancer has raised over $50 million for childhood cancer research.