\u2018A special day:\u2019 Tour de Rock wraps up in downtown Victoria<\/p>\n
Published 7:21 pm Friday, October 2, 2026<\/p>\n
A team of 23 cyclists, including Victoria News\u2019 own Tony Trozzo, has completed the two-week, 1,200-kilometre ride around Vancouver Island for the 29th annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.<\/p>\n
On the eve of Friday, Oct. 2, riders completed their last leg of the tour and ended up at Ship Point to meet their families and celebrate their achievements over the two weeks \u2013 meeting with community members and raising over $700,000 for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.<\/p>\n
\u201c14 days ago, on Sept. 19th, the 2026 Tour de Rock team officially started in the beautiful community of Port Alice,\u201d said 2024 rider Mary Griffin at the event. \u201cSince then, this team has ridden more than 1,000 kilometres. They\u2019ve ridden up mountains, they\u2019ve ridden in everything. Along the way, stopping at dozens of communities, schools, businesses, community centres, up and down and across the island.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd they did it all for the kids,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
VicPD Deputy Chief Jamie McRae, a rider in the \u201999 tour, pointed at the \u201cripple effect\u201d from the event, as kids at schools across the island are fundraising and learning more about charity, and the problems that affect children and families across the globe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey might not even understand clearly the cause, but they\u2019ve raised money, and they\u2019ve done something for somebody else that they\u2019ve never met. You\u2019ve helped influence that. They\u2019ve seen you volunteer your time. They\u2019ve done things to contribute to this cause, which will have a ripple effect throughout the course of their lives,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For Trozzo, it was an emotional journey that\u2019s hard to put into words.<\/p>\n
\u201cI expected it to be emotional for a lot of different reasons. But seeing the people in the communities, especially up north, was really impactful,\u201d he said. \u201cHeading into it, I wasn\u2019t necessarily sure how those were going to go. And then you meet the families of the kids impacted. It really puts things in perspective. With all that being said, it was a pretty special two weeks. I\u2019m never going to forget them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Originally from Qualicum Beach, he recalled growing up and driving through Highway 4 thinking how \u201csketchy it was,\u201d so cycling through it was an incredible experience. Another highlight was \u201cepic\u201d stops at his elementary and high schools \u2013 a full circle moment.<\/p>\n
On their last day, it was their shortest trip, however, they made 18 stops throughout the South Island \u2013 making that final stretch downtown all the more special.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour legs get tired after a while. The final stretch, we were coming down Broughton Street, past our place of work, and made the trip down. The streets were lined with people. It was really, really special,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI miss playing team sports mightily. This was as close as I\u2019m going to get to that, in the greatest way possible. It was a special day and a very, very special two weeks,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
Over the two weeks, Tony Trozzo wrote extensively about his travels, and the experiences of his teammates and the folks he met along the way:<\/p>\n
\u2018A whole new purpose\u2019: Tour de Rock hits the road after Port Alice sendoff<\/a><\/p>\n North Island communities make a long day on the bike worthwhile<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018It would be so much harder on your own\u2019: Tour de Rock reaches Campbell River<\/a><\/p>\n Big numbers, bigger hearts as Tour de Rock lands in Courtenay<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018I can get a buzz cut\u2019: Paramedic shaves head for cancer as Tour de Rock hits Parksville<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018A sense of hope\u2019: Tour de Rock reaches halfway point in Port Alberni<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018It renews my hope in humanity\u2019: Tour de Rock reaches Nanaimo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018If you can do this, do it\u2019: Tour de Rock nears finish in Shawnigan Lake<\/a><\/p>\n