As it turned out, Kevin Nunn’s 24-hour solo bike ride wasn’t solo after all.
The Victoria endurance athlete had plenty of company as he cycled around UVic’s Ring Road from noon Friday to noon Saturday. One young cyclist, a complete stranger, even showed up to pedal around the clock with him.
That’s what happens when Vancouver Island families face childhood cancer: the community comes together.
Nunn’s Ring Road ride was intended to promote June’s End2End cycling relay, in which he and eight teammates will take turns pedalling from Victoria to Port Hardy and back non-stop — that’s more than 1,000 kilometres in less than 48 hours. The relay and associated events are being staged to raise money for the Island Kids Cancer Association, a small, frontline charity that helps the families of cancer-stricken children on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
The 24-hour ride UVic ride was just the latest attempt by Nunn, 63, to turn a physical challenge into a fundraiser for charity. His previous efforts have included running 60 kilometres from Duncan to Victoria and pulling a car around Ring Road 12 times.
By the time he dismounted outside UVic’s Student Union Building at noon Saturday, Nunn had cycled a total of 491 kilometres, having paused only for a few minutes here and there to use the washroom or grab an energy bar or other bit of food. “The body’s a little bit tired,” he allowed, “so I’m looking forward to a bath and maybe a Strongbow cider.” But, he said, any discomfort he felt paled beside what the families of children with cancer must endure.
He was appreciative of the support he received. Several of his End2End teammates joined Nunn for portions of the UVic ride. So did members of the UVic cycling team. So, throughout a night where temperatures dipped to near freezing, did several of his workmates from the Saanich Police Department. Other local riders made donations to the cause so that they could join him for a few laps. One total stranger, 22-year-old Marco Joly, even showed up to ride the whole distance with Kevin.
Non-riders were also urged to support the cause, either by donating at end2endcancer.com or taking part in other fundraising events leading up to the June 16-18 relay. Among them are the Battle of the Dad Bands at Victoria’s Capital Ballroom on April 11, a haircuts-by-donation day at Brothers Barbershop at 770 Fort St. on April 12, a Scotiabank/Victoria Royals-sponsored hockey tournament on May 30 and the Lot Jam music festival at Hoyne Brewery June 13.
For more information on those and other fundraisers, go to our Events page.
For more about Kevin and his team members, go to our Team page.
Last year’s inaugural End2End relay raised more than $110,000 for the Island Kids Cancer Association.