Armstrong to ride Tour of Courage

The inaugural BC Cancer Foundation Tour of Courage Community Ride will take place on Sunday September 23 from the University of British Columbia's Thunderbird Stadium through the streets of Vancouver's Westside. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will be there taking part in the event in support of the charity.

The event, benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation, will raise funds for blood cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency.

Armstrong was a virtual unknown when he last raced in the area, winning Vancouver's Tour de Gastown back in 1991 at the age of 19. The Tour de France champion and cancer survivor is now a full-time fundraiser and advocate for cancer research.

BC Cancer Foundation Tour of Courage chair Sindi Hawkins, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and a cancer survivor, said, "We cheered on the best riders in BC at the Westside Cycling Classic in June and now we will be back in September on these same roads to cheer on and ride with one of the greatest cyclists in the world."

Armstrong will launch the Community Ride with an inspirational talk and then lead a group around the course before individual riders and teams make their way over distances of 30, 60 or 90 kilometres finishing with an informal, family-style picnic and party.

Individual riders and teams can register online at www.tourofcourage.ca