Starting from the Saanich ferry terminal June 22, British cyclist Ollie Blackmore will undertake a 15-day world first record attempt as he cycles around Vancouver Island.
When he arrives at the finish line in Swartz Bay July 6 he will have travelled over 2,300 kilometres, climbing more than 151,000 feet — five times the height of Mt. Everest — in the process.
Blackmore plans to arrive in Courtenay June 23 as he heads up-Island. His stops will include Campbell River, Port McNeil, Cape Scott provincial park, Tahsis and Gold River. He returns to the Valley July 2 with a stop in Comox. He then heads to Tofino and Ucluelet, then back to Bamfield, Port Renfrew and Sooke en route to the Victoria harbour.
The main aim of the challenge is to raise money for cancer charities in Canada and the United Kingdom.
Blackmore is raising $25,000 for the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
As an ex-smoker, he hopes to raise support and awareness to fight cancer, and to show there are healthy alternatives to smoking.
For more information visit www.cyclechallengecanada.com.