On Aug. 18, the roar of motorcycles heralded the arrival of the riders of the Military Police National Motorcycle Relay Ride (MPNMRR) at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #260-100 Mile House.
Due to work and personal commitments of some of the other potential riders, the group was smaller than expected, but no less enthusiastic and excited to be in 100 Mile House.
Today is day 1 of the British Columbia ride,” said George Robinson.
“We left Victoria this morning with a few stops on the way. We had a great ride.”
After a dinner hosted by the local Legion and an overnight stop, the eight riders were back on their bikes first thing Aug. 19 and off to Valemount.
Robinson notes that there, they are off to Jasper, Alberta where they will meet up with five more of the national riders who will do the round trip to Victoria with them, a distance of 3,500 kilometres.
Riders from Alberta and the Northwest Territories will also rendezvous in Jasper with the team before returning to their respective homes.
“Yeah, it’s a long drive just to say 'hi',” jokes Robinson.
“We will have a supply vehicle with us, and sometimes that helps generate donations. People will stop and chat, see what we’re about.”
Last year in B.C. alone, the MPNMRR raised $27,000.
With the B.C. group, four of the riders, including the lone woman, it’s their first time on the ride.
“It’s been a very good experience,” agrees Alyce Tod, originally from New Zealand but now residing in Victoria as are all the other riders.
“We do try to stick together when we’re travelling,” says Robinson, “me in front and Lamont in the rear. He blocks traffic, signals, lets me know if someone’s having problems.
"Group rides are great for new riders – everyone’s willing to help each other and have fun along the way.”
To find out more about the ride or make a donation, go to www.mpnmrr.ca.