Meet Const. Kyle Ushock, a member of the Campbell River RCMP, and one of the riders in this year’s Cops For Cancer Tour de Rock.
Age: 30
How many years as a Mountie: 7
Postings: Bella Bella, Ucluelet, Campbell River.
First bicycle: “I believe it was a blue Kuhara BMX that I had back in my Winnipeg days.”
What are the challenges of being involved in Tour de Rock: “The big challenge is the time commitment. We train three times a week. We do our big ride on Sundays. Last Sunday (June 1) we did 101 kilometres from Comox to Campbell River and back to Comox. And, of course, we never seem to get the beautiful weather! It was wind and hail when we rode up Mt. Washington.”
Longest ride before training for the Tour: “I did about 50 kilometres through the Snowden trails on the mountain bike with a bunch of guys from work.”
Favourite type of bike: “It’s circumstantial, I guess. For me, it’s the mountain bike, but now that I’m riding back and forth to work every day, it’s definitely the road bike. The other one is a tank…[laughs] I secretly think the two bikes have it out in the garage when I’m not home.”
Are you riding for someone: “Last year I lost my grandmother to cancer. She died on the day the ride came to Campbell River. Some co-workers have also died of cancer. It all worked out for me to do the ride this year. It all aligned.”
What are you looking forward to on the Tour: I’m really looking forward to being at Reynolds School in Victoria where we did the launch. It’s an unbelievable event. I’m also looking forward to coming through Campbell River. It’s really nice to have the community support. I’m looking forward to that.”
What are you not looking forward to: “The wind and the rain which we always seem to get in December. One time I remember driving up Island, on my way to Bella Bella, and thinking, ‘Who would want to ride in this?’ Now it’s going to be me!”
Support the ride
You can meet Const. Ushock and help support the 2014 Tour de Rock this coming Monday at the Riptide Marine Pub.
The pub, at Discovery Harbour Mall, is hosting a beer and burger night. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $20 available at the RCMP detachment and the Riptide Pub.
Since 1998, Tour de Rock has raised almost $20 million to support pediatric cancer research and programs for children through the Canadian Cancer Society.
Follow the ride on:
- Twitter: @TourdeRock
- Facebook: CopsforCancerBC
- Website: www.tourderock.ca
Ride Schedule
Sept. 20: Drive to Port Alice.
Sept. 21: Port Alice to Port Hardy and Port McNeill, 97 km.
Sept. 22: Port McNeill to Woss and Sayward, 140 km.
Sept. 23, Sayward to Campbell River, 74 km.
Sept. 24, Campbell River to Comox Valley, 60 km.
Sept. 25, Comox Valley to Union Bay, Qualicum and Parksville, 81 km.
Sept. 26, Parksville to Port Alberni, 51 km.
Sept. 27, Port Alberni to Ucluelet, 102 km.
Sept. 28, Tofino to Nanaimo, 35 km.
Sept. 29, Nanaimo to Ladysmith and Chemainus, 48 km.
Sept. 30, Chemainus to Lake Cowichan and Duncan, 81 km.
Oct. 1, Duncan to Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, to Sooke to West Shore, 78 km.
Oct. 2. Oak Bay, Victoria and Sidney, 40 km.
Oct. 3, Esquimalt, Saanich and Victoria Spirit Square finale, 40 km.