The Highlands have many hills, which make them the perfect training ground for Justine Sparkes and her husband Steve, who will bike from Cloverdale to Hope over two days.
The duo is making the 200 km trek in the Tour de Cure between on Aug. 25-26 as a way to pay tribute to their mothers. Steve's mom died in 2005 while Justine's died in 2018, both due to cancer.
Since the event began in 2009, it has raised more than $124 million for the BC Cancer Foundation.
"My mom had breast cancer, and [Steve's mom] had lung cancer," said Justine. "I keep telling people that this started out as feeling like you are on your own. And then having one that ride, you realize you are not alone."
Sparkes said it is not a race and is meant to encourage people to participate without feeling like they need to compete with the rider next to them.
"The first day is 100 km. You stop in Chilliwack on the first day, and there is another 100 km on the second day."
Sadly, the second day had to be cancelled last year because of the wildfires around Chilliwack and the air quality being poor because of this, said Sparkes.
"Hopefully, this year, we get to the end."
The Tour de Jour attracts thousands of riders who must raise a minimum of $2,500 to participate.
"Steve and I both have our own pages," Sparkes said. So far, she has raised $2,450 for her race, and her husband has raised $1,019.
Having a loved one go through a battle with cancer is an emotionally charged time, and after the death of her mother and her husbands mother 鈥� the latter happening when the couple had only first gotten to know each other.
"Steve feels like he is giving back in a way that supports memories. Not just his mom, but his uncle was close as well."
Sparkes will use a normal road bike for the Tour de Jour, and her husband will be testing a new bicycle.
Fitness levels of all types are welcome to join, and Sparkes said she was not the most skilled rider when she first decided to participate. Many of her previous bike rides were to the local bar or to meet friends.
"My husband will ride with me, luckily," Sparkes said. "You are really working at your own pace."
On the Tour de Jour, the riders will have little to worry about, such as food, refreshments, bicycle maintenance, and tents during the race.
"It is pretty much stress-free."
The healing that cycling has brought Sparkes cannot be underestimated and she has met other folks cycling who have had harrowing stories of their own.
"It is so hard to talk about," Sparkes said. "There are not worse stories, but then there's one that is harder, with young children."
