Click here to see a great video of opening launch of event (Courtesy, Victor Crowl)

At 8 a.m. Pacific time, at  Whiterock Beach, British Columbia,  40 National Riders were serenaded by steel drums as they assembled on the beach.  The mayor of Whiterock and Jeff Rushton begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting, founder of Coast to Coast Against Cancer launched us with a short speech and the official wheel dipping. Maria sang the anthem as we left for Langley under a police escort.  Scroll to the bottom to see all the photos and video as well as important links to other information.

Commentary and Photos courtesy of Peter Cook, Jesse East and Julian Moniz

• National Rider in the water
• National Riders dip their wheels in the Pacific for the start of 7,000 km journey from Vancouver to Halifax
• National Riders and Volunteer Crew gather on the beach at Whiterock
• Mayor of Whiterock and Jeff Rushton wish National Riders safe journey
• Mayor and two of the National Riders
• One of the National Rider Teams (there are 3 different ones)
• Steel Drum serenade
• Maria sings the National Anthem

Day 1 was a spectacular beginning to our ride across Canada in support of the fight  against childhood cancer. We started by dipping our wheels in the Pacific Ocean in Whiterock and ended up hanging with the mayor of Hope BC.

In between we hit Langley and met Baird, the five year old who lost his twin brother Finn to cancer, to Abbottsford where they fed us homemade soup and desserts and taught us to square dance then on to Chilliwack where we were fed fresh corn on the cob and entertained by the Sears Dance Pack. All along the way we met people whose lives have been affected by cancer and who want to share their stories and support the fight.

Here’s a video, courtesy of Victor Crowl at the community event in Langley with a great dedictation to Finn, click on link below:

A good start to a typical SNKCR day, a few tears, lots of hugs, a few hills and a lot of big full hearts.

Here are some wonderful shots of Day 1 launch event, courtesy Victor Crowl:

http://picasaweb.google.com/C2CPhotos/VictorCrowlDay1#

OUR MESSAGE TO OUR VOLUNTEERS:

The wheels have been dipped into the Pacific Ocean and the National Riders and road crew are at the first event.

Every ride is dedicated to a child and this dedication reminds us why we do this. Meet Megan from Delta, British Columbia. Megan is 19 and has had Adrenalcortical Carcinoma for 2 ½ years.

This is her message to you:

“You guys are amazing. Thank you for helping kids and teens like me get better… I know I wouldn’t have the stamina to do what you are all doing!  Volunteers- You do more than your part as well in this fundraiser. Thank you for giving up your time to help as well. All Canadians- This is a really great cause. Cancer affects everyone, so why not spread the word?“

This ride would not happen without the hard work, dedication and generosity of people like you who support the rest stops across the country. We are thrilled to have back those who have supported us in the past, and welcome aboard those who are new to the ride!

Provided by the Massage Group

Read the rider blogs –

http://app.feed.informer.com/digest3/GXNDR39V7A.html

Follow the press –

http://www.delicious.com/coasttocoastagainstcancer

Some other important links -

• To see a list of Community Events, Ride-Alongs and Inside Rides coming through your community, go to:

http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/en/national-kids-cancer-ride/community-options.php

• To register for a Ride-Along, go to:

http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/en/national-kids-cancer-ride/ride-along/index2010.php

• To donate to the cause or pledge an individual National Rider, go to:

http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/en/donate/index.php

• For more information on the National Ride, go to:

http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/en/national-kids-cancer-ride/index.php