Wheelin’ Warriors ready to roll

The Wheelin’ Warriors of the North are getting ready to roll, but first they have to eat.

The local cycling team, which will take part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer in August, is hosting its annual Free Wheelin’ dinner and dance tomorrow, May 2 at the Treasure Cove.

“It’s been a hectic week,” team captain Karen Piche says. “The tickets for the dinner are pretty well sold out.”

The dinner features a silent auction, with items such as a family portrait session, gift certificates and a laptop computer up for bids.

“We’ve had a lot of great items donated for the auction again this year,” Piche says.

Guest speaker at the dinner is BC Cancer Foundation vice-president of development Erik Dierks.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a fundraising bicycle ride for the BC Cancer Foundation. The Wheelin’ Warriors will join other riders in going from Vancouver to Seattle on Aug. 29 and 30.

“There were just under 2,500 participants in the last ride,” Piche says. “It’s a great event to be in, with all those other people with the same goal.”

Currently, the Wheelin’ Warriors are 48 strong, and the team has raised more than $34,000 in pledges for the foundation, putting it in the top 10 teams.

After Saturday’s dinner and dance, Piche and the rest of the team will turn their attention to the next major event, a Rideathon to be held at The Movement Group on June 21.

“We’re looking to have even more events outside this year,” Piche says, “besides the Rideathon itself inside. Last year, the weather wasn’t great, but we still had a good turnout.”