Why I Ride - David Pope
"It is going to be fun, you can do it!"
David Pope is returning to the Cycle of Life Tour for the 5th time, and will be riding in support of Cowichan Hospice, as a member of the "Cowichan Life Cyclers" team.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a husband, father, proud grandfather, Cowichan Hospice volunteer, Rotary Club member, and I spend most weekdays being a lawyer. I believe that what you get out of a community is a reflection of what you put into it.
What first brought you to the Cycle of Life Tour? What keeps you coming back?
The wonderful Cowichan Hospice Executive Director, Gretchen Hartley was going to ride in 2015 and said “why don’t you come along? It’ll be fun” and it was! This will be my 5th year. I keep coming back for the opportunity to have a couple mugs of Hoyne Dark Matter on a (usually) lovely Saturday afternoon in Ganges with a bunch of people whose company I enjoy.
Why is it important to you to support hospice care? Do you have a personal connection to hospice?
My parents died within a week of one another, one in a nursing home and the other in a hospice. My contrasting experience with these two different deaths has made me a passionate supporter of the dignity and peace of dying in a hospice setting. I am excited about the plans for a Hospice House in Cowichan, and am honoured to be a supporter of the compassionate care offered by hospice.
What is one of your favourite memories from the ride?
Aside from the discovery of Dark Matter to replenish electrolytes lost to sweating, the snack stops along the way, the dinner that Chef Michael and the people from Country Grocer put on, being cheered by the volunteers, the camaraderie of the riders, the friends I have made, and going over Valerie’s photos remembering the days.
What are you looking forward to most about the ride this year?
Last year was the first that I actually was able to ride up all the hills on Saltspring and I want to do that again to show that it wasn’t just a lucky chance. Also seeing riders who have become good friends and making new friends; doing yoga on the grass in the morning.
How are you preparing for the ride?
Oh, I am thinking about it a lot and am going to start training rides tomorrow. Actually, I ride my bike as much as I can and cross-train by doing something active (run, walk, yoga) every day.
Where do you find strength and support leading up to and during the ride?
My mantra: This is going to be fun, I can do it, I will do it for those who cannot do it. I really enjoy the company during the ride, it is a mobile social experience.
What is your fundraising goal? What creative ideas do you have to meet that goal?
Always $500 more than I have raised so far, and I have learned to encourage pledges (beg) at every opportunity.
Do you have any advice for first-time riders?
Physically: ride as much as possible to get your seat toughened and legs into shape, cross train to keep your body balanced, learn about nutrition and eat well, and remember, it’s not a race.
Fund raising: Keep a poster for the ride where you work and point to it at every opportunity to talk about the ride and hospice. It is surprising how supportive and generous people will be when you talk about hospice, the history of why Graham did his first ride, and why you are riding.
Mentally: It is going to be fun, you can do it!
CLICK HERE to donate to David's fundraising goal.
