February 1, 2008 – This epic adventure takes you far beyond the personal accomplishments of distance cycling. The funds you raise through your journey bring joy to thousands of children caught in the fight against cancer.

Now in its 5th fantastic year, Tour For Kids has established a reputation for attracting hundreds of compassionate and enthusiastic cyclists! It’s four days of spectacular riding, warm friendships and countless carefree laughs all in support of camps that bring similar joys to children with cancer.

Tour For Kids takes care of the thinking, so you’re free to relish your ride along carefully selected scenic roads that wind across beautiful cottage country. Each day you chose between two personal distance challenges, 100km and +200km. There’s plenty of aid and boundless encouragement to see you to the end, however, the shuttle wagon is never far away if you decide to join others for a lift to the day’s destination.

Please Pledge!
The mission of Tour For Kids is to raise funds for three extraordinary camps that allow children with cancer to share laughter and build friendships with other brave kids from across Canada. In just 4 years, Tour For Kids participants have helped raise $2.5 million for local camps.

You can help. Every dollar pledged goes straight to the camps, enabling them to enrich the lives of thousands of campers. If a cyclist calls upon you or your organization to donate, please give generously.

Tour For Kids – Ontario
4-Day Epic – August 14-17, 2008

Route Map
The 4-day EPIC tour travels over the scenic country roads of Ontario’s serene cottage regions. Starting in central Mississauga, just west of Toronto, you’ll wind north through the granite outcroppings of majestic Muskoka. Bending east, the route rolls over the hills of Haliburton before entering the glacial moraine and cedar forests of the Kawarthas. The final leg runs westward through farm country back to Mississauga. Download the route map here.

Choose your Distance
Each day, you can choose to ride the full daily stage (175km to 210km), or take the direct route (100km) to the day’s destination. Both courses are supported by patrol vehicles and tour marshals on bikes. There are well-stocked rest stops every 25km or so. Whatever your ability, you’re sure to share the journey with someone traveling at your speed.

Rider Manual
The Tour For Kids Rider Manual contains information that all riders need to know to prepare themselves; from what to pack, to training and nutrition, it’s a wealth of information. Please download, by clicking here.

Registration Includes
– Limited Edition Jersey *Also available for purchase
– Premium Rider Appreciation Kit
– All Meals
– Accommodation (excluding hotel option)
– Luggage Shuttle
– Mechanical and safety support
– Rest stops and snacks
– Route Marshals
– The thrill of the journey!
– And surprises

Click here to register.

Thursday, August 14 Mississauga — Gravenhurst
– Full Stage: 215 km
– Direct Route: 100 km
– Start: Mississauga Civic Centre
– Finish: KOA Camp Ground, Gravenhurst
– Accommodation: Tenting (or hotel option)
– Honourary Host: Camp Oochigeas

Friday, August 15 Gravenhurst — Haliburton
– Full Stage: 209 km
– Direct Route: 100 km
– Start: KOA Camp Ground, Gravenhurst
– Finish: Camp Northland, Moose Lake
– Accommodation: Tenting or cabins
– Honourary Host: Camp Quality

Saturday, August 16 Haliburton — Peterborough
– Full Stage: 215 km
– Direct Route: 100 km
– Start: Camp Northland, Moose Lake
– Finish: Trent University, Peterborough
– Accommodation: Single dorm room
– Honourary Host: Camp Trillium

Sunday, August 17 Peterborough — Mississauga
– Full Stage: 197 km
– Direct Route: 100 km
– Challenge Route: 125 km (Leaves from Trent)
– Start: Trent University, Peterborough
– Finish: Mississauga Civic Centre

OR

2-Day Weekender – August August 15-17, 2008

If you can’t get out for the full Tour experience, be sure to ride this
weekend adventure!

Route and Distance
Departing Mississauga by bus on Friday at 1pm, the group will join the other riders in time for dinner at our camp near Haliburton. The next morning, everyone heads south south to Peterborough through the glacial moraine and cedar forests of the Kawarthas. The Sunday leg runs eastward through farm country back to Mississauga. Download the route map here.

Friday bus to Haliburton
The bus departs at 1pm so please arrive at Mississauga Civic Centre by noon in time to register and load your bike and personal affects on the luggage transport. There is free parking on-site. A light lunch and beverages will be served on route.

Friday, August 15 Bus transportation, Depart 1pm
– Mississauga– Haliburton
– Start: Mississauga Civic Centre
– Finish: Camp Northland, Moose Lake
– Accommodation: Tenting or cabins
– Honourary Host: Camp Quality

Saturday, August 16 Haliburton– Peterborough
– Full Stage: 215 km
– Direct Route: 100 km
– Start: Camp Northland, Moose Lake
– Finish: Trent University, Peterborough
– Accommodation: Single dorm room
– Honourary Host: Camp Trillium

Sunday, August 17 Peterborough — Mississauga
– Full Stage: 197 km
– Direct Route: 100 km
– Challenge Route: 125 km (Leaves from Trent)
– Start: Trent University, Peterborough
– Finish: Mississauga Civic Centre

Tour For Kids – Alberta
3 Day Epic – July 18 to 20, 2008

Route Description
The 3-day Epic Tour travels over the scenic country roads of Alberta’s foothills. Starting on Saturday at Spruce Meadows, south or Calgary, you’ll head south and then west through open prairie farmland along quiet country roads. Bending north, the route heads to the hills, following Hwy 66 west through scenic valleys into the first range of the Rocky Mountains. The return along Hwy 66 speeds back down to Bragg Creek, and onto the gentler slopes of the foothills, finishing the first day at Camp Gardner along the banks of the Elbow River. On Sunday, the route heads north through undulating prairie and foothills toward Dog Pound, then returns south to Bragg Creek, skirting the foothills, before finishing at Spruce Meadows. Click here to download the route map.

Click here to register.

Friday, July 18 – Canmore – Sundre
– Accommodation: Cabins or tenting
– Distance: max distance 175km

Saturday, July 19 – Sundre – David Thompson Resort
– Accommodation: Cabins or tenting
– Distance: max distance 226km

Sunday, July 20 – David Thompson Resort – Canmore
– Distance: max distance 212km

2 Day Epic – July 19-20, 2008

Route Description
The 2-day Epic Tour travels over the scenic country roads of Alberta’s foothills. Starting on Saturday at Spruce Meadows, south or Calgary, you’ll head south and then west through open prairie farmland along quiet country roads. Bending north, the route heads to the hills, following Hwy 66 west through scenic valleys into the first range of the Rocky Mountains. The return along Hwy 66 speeds back down to Bragg Creek, and onto the gentler slopes of the foothills, finishing the first day at Camp Gardner along the banks of the Elbow River. On Sunday, the route heads north through undulating prairie and foothills toward Dog Pound, then returns south to Bragg Creek, skirting the foothills, before finishing at Spruce Meadows. Click here to download the route map.

Click here to register.

Saturday, July 19 – Calgary to Bragg Creek
– Start: Downtown (location tbd)
– Finish: Bragg Creek Prov. Park
– Accommodation: Cabins or tenting
– Distance: 100km and 160km options
– Host: Kids Cancer Care Alberta

Sunday, July 20 – Return via different route
– Distance: 100km and 160km option

Click here to download the Rider Manual.

The Camps

“We see camp as an important element in the treatment of children with cancer.”
Dr. John Doyle, The Hospital for Sick Children

In Canada, over 10,000 children live with cancer or its long term effects. Another 1,400 children begin the road to survivorship each year. It’s an exhausting journey that can displace many childhood joys.

Your participation in Tour For Kids raises awareness and funds for three extraordinary camp organizations that help these children and their families build confidence, courage and friendships. With multiple locations staffed by health care professionals, volunteers and camp alumni, the camps provide tremendous emotional support coupled with various degrees of essential medical attention. The single greatest miracle these retreats provide is enabling children to escape the shadows of cancer treatment and feel the thrill of being just another kid.

Questions?
Contact us at contact@tourforkids.com.