The Odd couple
CFB Esquimalt military policemen Matt Schlauch will participate in this year’s Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.
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Updated: August 14, 2009 12:29 PM
Lamont French and Matt Schlauch are separated by 16 years and 70 pounds.
These military police Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock riders don’t have a lot in common.
The 28-year-old Schlauch is a spry 152-pounds who says hills -- the going up, not down -- are his favourite part of cycling.
He cycled 111 kilometres to Nanaimo and back when he found out he would be joining the cops for cancer team -- just to see if he could.
French, 45, affectionately known as “Lamonster,” says any speed he loses going up hill, he gains on the way down.
The “big tough cop” has already shed 50 pounds from his original 270 since training started in February and aims to leave another 30 pounds on the pavement by the time the tour starts Sept. 19. If he doesn’t, he pledged to match his highest donor’s contribution to the Canadian Cancer Society.
That’s where their differences end.
Like many of the Tour de Rock riders, cancer has touched Schlauch and French’s lives.
French lost an aunt to cancer last month and had to say goodbye to his grandfather several years ago.
“He was like my second father,” French says.
Nine years ago, French’s younger sister was diagnosed with leukemia. Her condition worsened after she started treatment.
“I remember carrying her into the hospital from the car,” French says.
The doctors gave her a 50 per cent chance of survival.
“They pumped her right full of liquids and she looked so big and massive and all swollen up and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry,” he says.
“I looked at the doctor and says you’ve got to make this happen because if you don’t, I’m going to be burying three people and I can’t do that.”
She’s been in remission ever since.
Schlauch’s mother also recently went into remission after battling breast cancer.
He chose to be a part of the Tour de Rock team because of her and because of the children who will be able to go to Camp Goodtimes because of the fundraiser.
“What really hit home for me was when I found out that the same cancer that was in my mom, is in these kids. They give them the same treatment that she got.”
Schlauch says it’s incredible their little bodies hold up against aggressive treatments that left his mom with little energy and grey hair.
He says the physical commitment of the ride is huge, but nothing compared to the emotional commitment.
French says he knows the 12-day ride will be tough, but the pain will end after that.
“I’m trying to imagine as a father, looking at your child and saying ‘take me instead, let me go through the pain.’ So I think part of that in my own way is what I’m trying to do,” French says.
He says he signed up because he’s in a position to make a difference. But it’s also about self improvement, something he sees every training day.
I’m involved with a bunch of incredible people, along with the kids, they’re going to help me become a better person because I could use improvement.”
