Skip to content

2-day Vancouver Island cycle tour funds critical hospice programs

110 Vancouver Island riders support hospice work in Victoria, Campbell River, Comox, Nanaimo, Cowichan, Oceanside, Salt Spring and Sooke

When the Trillium Titans tackle a scenic 200-km route through the Saanich Peninsula, Cowichan Valley and Salt Spring Island, they’re fuelled by determination and community spirit.

Members of the retirement community helped the team raise $7,000 for hospice care in just over two weeks for the two-day Cycle of Life Tour that raises critical funding for Vancouver Island hospices.

"Residents of our retirement community have really rallied around our cycle team and cheered us on," said Debra Prior, director of community relations for Trillium Communities.

"Everyone has had experiences with loved ones impacted by hospice care and the phenomenal services hospices provide. Everyone has been touched by grief and loss, and our residents wanted to do something positive to make an impact."

Now in its 12th year, Carley Gibson embarks on her second tour as part of the Victoria Hospice organizing team.

“The overall vibes are really positive,” the development officer of community events said. “It’s not a race, it’s a fundraiser, everyone’s doing it because they love to bike and they want to support a good cause.”

The 110 riders come from all over the Island, raising funds for the hospice in their community, including organizations in Victoria, Campbell River, Comox, Nanaimo, Cowichan, Oceanside, Salt Spring and Sooke.

“It’s a universal cause, a lot of people on the tour have had a personal connection with hospice in their community and they understand the importance of end-of-life care and being able to give their loved ones dignity in their final days,” Gibson said.

The annual event sponsored by Think Communications has raised more than $2.6 million for hospice care on Vancouver Island since 2011. The goal this year is $350,000, and fundraising passed the $300,000 mark in early July.

“I know there’s lots of money still coming in, so that’s exciting,” Gibson said. “We really can’t function without events like these and the support of the community.”

Victoria Hospice raises roughly half its operating costs – more than $4.5 million – through events and donations. Bereavement services are entirely donor funded.

A licensed practical nurse who began her career at Victoria Hospice, Prior says the way hospice provides care for the whole family has stayed with her from day one.

“Something I learned at hospice and have taken with me everywhere is the hospice approach to caring for the person and their family with dignity and respect,” Prior said. “Everyone deserves that. And hospice does such a good job of keeping people comfortable – even for family members in bereavement. This care is so greatly needed.”

The two-day ride starts at Spectrum school in Saanich and rolls through communities including Cowichan and Comox before hopping over to Salt Spring Island for the overnight campout, feast and music. Some riders have been doing it for more than a decade, giving the event a summer camp feel.

“That’s the feeling I got last year, everyone knows each other, it’s like a reunion,” Gibson said.

Registration is closed, but those looking to donate can visit  and support a rider or make a general donation.

The tour starts at Spectrum Community School on Saturday, July 19 with an 8 a.m. kickoff. It finishes Sunday (July 20) with an anticipated arrival of 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the same location.

Breaking News You Need To Know

Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters.

Sign Up with google Sign Up with facebook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.

Reset your password

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.

A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox.



Don't have an account? Click here to sign up


About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

I'm a longtime journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
Read more