‘A whole new purpose’: Tour de Rock hits the road after Port Alice sendoff
Published 6:54 am Monday, September 21, 2026
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A North Island village of just 739 residents raised almost $30,000 to launch the 2026 Tour de Rock on its 1,200-kilometre journey Sunday.
The 22-person riding team officially began its trip by leaving Port Alice and weaving through Port Hardy before finishing the opening day in Port McNeill on Sept. 20.
Tour de Rock rider Greg Beatty had half his hair and moustache shaved by his honorary rider Weston during Sunday’s stop in Port Hardy.
The team cycled nearly 100 kilometres on the opening leg of their Island-wide journey.
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— Victoria News (@VictoriaNews) September 21, 2026
The day prior, the riding team and support staff travelled via vehicle from View Royal to Port Alice.
That same night, roughly 150 people from the village and neighbouring communities held a community dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch #180) to welcome the group.
That dinner culminated in a fundraising reveal of $26,853.73, a significant total for a municipality of its size.
Ashley Boese has spearheaded the Port Alice fundraising efforts for 14 years. She took over the role when previous organizers stepped down, starting small and steadily building the event.
Planning begins in March and April when Boese starts requesting donations.
“I just harass people the nicest way possible and keep going,” Boese said, with a chuckle.
The fundraising total surged this year with Port Alice fielding two riders, Greg Beatty and Jalil Escareno.
“It’s amazing to see two younger people put so much effort into the community and into an amazing cause,” Boese said.
For outsiders wondering what makes the remote town so special, Boese kept her answer simple.
“It’s just home,” she said.
That deep sense of community provided the riders with a direct look at the welcoming nature of the North Island.
Alex Bérubé is a corporal with the BC RCMP and a media relations officer for Vancouver Island. He said the environment in town stood out immediately.
“I think it goes beyond what our group is doing as a peloton,” Bérubé said. “I think the communities coming all together really gives it a whole new purpose for what we’re doing here.”
Sunday marked the transition from community events to the physical reality of the ride. The team covered 96.8 kilometres over four hours of cycling.
Months of training in all weather conditions prepared the team for the road.
Bérubé noted there were days riders did not feel like showing up, but they owed their commitment to the families navigating cancer treatments.
“They did not choose to battle that, but they’re doing this with extreme resilience, and this is so inspiring,” he said.
A visit to Camp Goodtimes left a lasting impression on Bérubé, seeing children live life to the fullest despite their battles.
“I think it might sound cliche, but when you’re a police officer, you just want to help people,” he said.
The team heads south on Sept. 21 with Sayward being its next overnight stopping point.
The annual Canadian Cancer Society initiative has raised more than $30 million since 1997 and will conclude in Victoria on Oct. 2.
To donate to the cause, visit their website.
READ MORE: ‘This makes it real’: Tour de Rock team presented with official jerseys in Saanich
‘I’m home’: Camp Goodtimes comes full circle for former B.C. campers