The Jasper Rockhoppers are hoping to be the top fund-raisers at Hinton’s Rona MS Bike Tour on September 11 and 12 for the third year in a row – and they need the public’s help. 

This year the Rockhoppers have 20 members, down about 10 from previous years, but Captain of the Rockhoppers Greg Van Tighem isn’t discouraged. The Rockhoppers started out four years ago and has grown since the inaugural year. 

“It started out as a fire department team,” said Van Tighem, who is also Jasper’s fire chief. “It sort of has grown from there.”

Despite being down a few numbers the fund-raising efforts have still yielded high results. Already the Rockhoppers have raised about $20,000 this year. Last year the team raised $69,000, which put them on the top of fund-raising for the second year in a row. In 2008 they raised $72,000 for the honour. 

“This year I think we’re a little below where we were this time last year,” Van Tighem said. The team’s goal was $100,000 this year, but they have dropped that to reflect the smaller team. “I’m still optimistic that we’re going to get close. I’d be very comfortable and happy and proud to get $50,000.”

Van Tighem is happy with the amount of funds they have been able to raise due to the contributions of Jasper businesses and residents. 

“The community of Jasper has been tremendous,” he said. The Rockhoppers have to compete with about 300 riders at the MS Bike Tour to be top fund-raisers. 

The riders are on the team for a variety of reasons, but Van Tighem said they usually ride for a common goal. 

“The most common thread is we all know somebody who has MS,” he said. “We’re sort of hoping that our contribution of fund-raising can help find that cure.”

The Rockhoppers is also a great way for the riders to stay active and fit. The team rides at least once a week. 

Van Tighem himself knows several people with MS and acts as the provincial ambassador. 

Recently the liberation treatment has been gaining steam nationally as a possible treatment. MS advocates are lobbying the government to launch research trials into the controversial procedure that has successfully halted symptoms of MS in some patients. As of now, MS sufferers must travel overseas to get the treatment that involves inserting a balloon into veins in the neck to re-inflate them. 

“It looks like a big positive step forward,” Van Tighem said. 

While the treatment has seen success, Van Tighem understands why the Alberta government has not yet offered up funds to research the treatment. 

“I think they’re just being cautious. They want a little more thorough analysis,” he said. So far there have been about 65 test treatments, and not all have been successful. “There has been mixed results.”

Public pressure led to the province of Saskatchewan announcing they would fund trials, and Alberta could be the next province to sign on. 

Van Tighem said the Rona MS bike tour  is for anyone. 

“You don’t have to be a real technical rider,” he said. The tour is staged all over Canada and the U.S., but Hinton is the only town that boasts a mountain biking tour rather than a road cycling event. 

The bike tour will start from the Hinton Community Centre on Sept. 11 and follow a trail out of the Switzer Park to Kelly’s Bathtub. The riders will then be bused back to the community centre for a banquet and dance. The next morning the riders will head back to Kelly’s Bathtub and take a different route on the east side of Hinton back to the community centre. The Saturday route will be shorter with more downhill and should take about two hours for more experienced riders, and four for others. The ride is 90 kmall together.

The Rockhoppers have been participating in a number of events around Jasper as well. They held a barbecue at the August 28 Wildlife Festival, and were rained out at the recent Cruisin’ the Dub event that was held at A&W. The event has been rescheduled for Sept. 8. A&W will donate $1 from every Teen Burger sold to the MS Society. There will be a classic car show and car wash for further donations. A&W also donated buns to Van Tighem for the Wildlife Festival barbecue. 

Anyone wishing to join the Rockhoppers or donate can contact Van Tighem at 780-852-1595.