Day 3

by Ron George, Castlegar

The riders woke this morning from their slumber at the Grand Forks Inn and peered out the window to check the conditions. Is that smoke haze or morning fog? Turns out it was a mix of smoke and the start of rain. The riders hustled about preparing for the day trying to determine if rain jackets were necessary or not. Before long we were a group of green jackets lined up and saying our thanks to the staff at the Inn and heading down the rode to our first stop of the day, breakfast.

Omega II was prepared for us to arrive early with a breakfast that was sure to fuel us on to the days task ahead. Andree and Mike out did themselves again. After the feast, the night before and the breakfast now. It is impossible to thank them enough for their care and compassion in supporting Cops for Kids over the years.

You could feel the tension during breakfast as lighting was flashing, and thunder rolled. Riders were watching the rain pour. A quick adjustment to riding gear adding more rain layers and we were off.

Christina Lake Visitor Centre made for our next stop prior to the ever-looming Blueberry Paulson. We took a moment to stretch and shake off the nerves, while the rain let up and ended.

Seeing a break in the weather, we headed out to the Texas Creek Pullout to complete the final preparations before each rider would venture up this hill. With roughly 1300 meters of elevation gain over approximately 27 kilometres this can be a daunting task. Even the veteran riders know that the hill does not get any easier, you just become more familiar with it and its challenges.

As the team set off this is a challenge that is done on our own. With every pedal stroke and change in the gradient of the road we push ourselves on. Not because we can but because we must. We aren’t riding for ourselves but for our little ambassadors. We are simply suffering for a moment in time, but having heard from parents of the tremendous feats these young kids have gone through, and the impact Cops for Kids has had in their lives, we need to push on and bring awareness and support to the charity.

Lunch was served roadside, made possible by donations from Castlegar Safeway and the Coca-Cola Distributors. Once heartrates where lowered and nutrition was replenished, the riders were off again for the fast decent to Castlegar.

The weather remained free of rain as we arrived at Castlegar City Hall and met with families who have been helped by the charity. We heard the struggle these little ambassadors have faced in such a short matter of time. From prolonged stays in hospital and continued treatments, it makes the shot lived discomfort faced by us riders pale and fall away. After all, we are choosing this ride to help make a difference and we saw and heard firsthand the difference that is being made. But this ride would mean nothing without the donations and support made by individuals and business in each community along the way.

At the conclusion of the festivities, the team loaded up and were off to the Colander in Trail for supper and then to the Prestige in Rossland to rest up and face tomorrow.

Huge thank you to all those providing accommodations, food, and support along the way.

As always, if you are reading this and have not donated, please consider doing so. You will be making a difference in the life of a child and their family.