The RCMP announced Tuesday a new system for the Tour de North bicycle tour done each year by northern Mounties to raise cancer funds.
Last year, on the 10th anniversary of the event, the route changed to go north-south for the first time. The previous nine years went east/west, each covering the 800-or-so kilometres between Prince Rupert and Prince George, stopping in several communities along the way. Due to popular demand, the 2011 edition started in Fort St. John and ended in Williams Lake.
Tuesday's announcement solidified both routes for the years ahead.
"In 2011, communities along the north/south route responded very well to the tour... and our objective is to alternate year to year between the north/south route and the east/west route," said Erin Reynolds, tour co-ordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society. "This will enable us to share the tour experience between more communities in the region."
The tour's road captain, RCMP Insp. Pat Egan, said the riders were looking forward to mixing up the routes in order to give the entire region a chance to support the fundraising efforts and the cancer patients they do it for.
"The tour team is looking forward to a return to the east/west route and working with those communities again to continue to raise awareness for pediatric cancer research and support programs that the Canadian Cancer Society offers", said Egan. "We hope that communities on each tour route will continue to embrace the Tour de North each year as communities and riders raise funds for pediatric cancer research, for support programs for children and families on the cancer journey, and for Camp Goodtimes available every year for children, diagnosed with cancer, and their families to attend at no cost."
The 2012 Tour de North will be returning to the original east/west route, commencing in Prince George on Sept. 14 and travelling through Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Houston, Smithers, Moricetown, Hazelton, and Terrace with the ride concluding in Prince Rupert on Sept. 20.
Sponsors offset the costs of the tour, enabling more donor dollars to go to the cause. For information on becoming a sponsor, or on how you can apply to ride with Tour de North in the one spot reserved for a member of the public, please contact Erin Reynolds at (250) 564-0885 ext.108.
