Will Cycle for Food

by Rob Crowder, Nelson

Well, it’s already Day 4 of the journey, and today the team rode from Castlegar to the Village of Procter. Last night, we had the privilege of staying at the Prestige Mountain Resort in Rossland, BC. If you ever find yourself in Rossland, the Prestige offers wonderful staff and comfortable rooms. The previous three days were gruelling, with riders climbing numerous steep mountain passes—one of them in freezing temperatures and heavy rain. Despite sore and tired legs, the riders got back on their bikes and continued pedalling for the children and families we support. I’ve shared this quote before, but it feels especially fitting for the mindset of both myself and the riders: “We ride because we can, and when we get tired, we think of those who can’t and what they would give to have this simple gift that we take for granted. It makes us ride harder for them.

We started the day with an amazing breakfast hosted by the Castlegar Ladies Legion Auxiliary. From there, we made a quick stop at Brent Kennedy Elementary School, where we had the opportunity to meet some energetic students. After a brief rest at the Crescent Valley Fire Hall, we continued on to the Nelson RCMP Detachment for an incredible pizza lunch generously provided by Thor’s Pizzeria. The pizza was exactly what we needed to fuel the rest of the day. Nelson Dairy Queen also generously provided Dilly Bars for dessert.

Today, we had the privilege of meeting Wendy, who had a son who received assistance through the Cops for Kids Foundation. Meeting Wendy and hearing her story reminded me why we ride and why riders work tirelessly to raise money year after year. Although we are fortunate to have an excellent healthcare system filled with caring and dedicated professionals, there are still gaps that families sometimes need help bridging. Cops for Kids step in and fill those gaps. Seeing firsthand the impact that support has on a family is both humbling and inspiring.After lunch, we continued our ride to the Village Bakery in Procter, where Lisa treated the team to the best cinnamon buns in the West Kootenays. We finished the day with the honour of being hosted for supper by Tanya and Brent at Finley’s Grill. Tanya and Brent have supported countless community initiatives over the years, and their generosity provided a perfect ending to an incredible day. The team bonding of Music Trivia was so much fun for a Monday night.

I am continually amazed by the outpouring of generosity we encounter along the route. Everywhere we go, communities step forward to provide riders with much‑needed meals, refreshments, encouragement, and support. Without their kindness, we would not be able to assist as many families as we do.