David Cox’s two-wheeled journey up Island and back raised $6,385 for the endMS campaign.
The 68-year-old Colwood man rode to Port Hardy and back on his third unsupported Van Isle End to End to endMS ride.
A highlight for him was how the community came together. With advance media awareness spanning the Island through Black Press community papers, residents recognized Cox as he rode through towns and villages as he made his way to Port Hardy and back.
“I was acknowledged on the street because people had read the story,” Cox said. “I like to think that gives even more awareness because the story has been read and somebody remembered what this is all about.”
Highlights come in different ways and at different times, he said.
One includes a tent full of water at Shawnigan school the night before the Cowichan Valley Grape Escape for MS. He pitched his tent on the rugby pitch the night before only to awaken to a flood of commercial sprinklers.
“That night the sprinkler system went off,” he said. “It just about knocked my tent off and gave me a couple of inches of water.”
A new perk to the ride was the reception during overnight stops along the way.
“I met some really nice people at the various campgrounds, in each place they reduced the rate or gave me the use of the campground free,” he said.
Though he admits: “Maybe, if I do it for the fourth time in two years (from now) I’ll go the credit card (and hotel) route.”
Cox will complete the final leg of his commitment to donors with the Sept. 7, 122-km RBC Gran Fondo in Whistler.
Visit endMS.ca MSbiketours.ca for more about the cause and fundraisers.