GALLOWAY – It’s hard to maintain enthusiasm for the annual Police Unity Tour throughout the year during fundraising season which is just under way, according to Galloway Ptl. Bill Kline.

“But riding into the memorial makes it worth all the effort,” he said at the kickoff fundraiser Saturday, Jan. 21, a beef and beer at the Elks Lodge. “People open up their hearts, especially during the coin drops.”

Team GPS – for Galloway, Pleasantville and Stockton – always collects enough money each year to pay the $1,700 entry fee for each officer.

“We’ll be counting the money,” Kline said. “Then miraculously there’s always a couple of bucks over.”

Team members just did a spin class – on stationary bikes – last week, he said.

“We’ll be on the bikes soon,” Kline said. “We’ll try to cover 30-40 miles a week. It helps build up stamina and helps build up calluses in certain spots where you need it.”

Kline said a “decent” road bike costs $800-$1,200. An “excellent” bike costs between $5,000 and $10,000.

“The one I’m looking to purchase is about $2,000,” Kline said. “I use it for other things; I go on other rides. Doing spin class is great, but you have to feel the road, the wind and environmental conditions. There’s heat from the sun and there’s also heat coming up from the road. Sunburn can be an issue.”

Kline said he learned about the Police Unity Tour online.

“I figured it was a good idea,” he said. “Chapter 2 was right here in Mays Landing. I put out an email to the department. We had eight the first year and got together with four from Stockton and two from Pleasantville.”

Pleasantville has grown to nine bicyclists and has its own team this year.

“We’re not rushing to change the name,” Kline said. “Some guys might ride this year and say, ‘That’s enough.’ The more we have together – it makes the fundraising easier.”

The Unity Tour ride for Team GPS will begin Wednesday, May 9 in Lakewood where Officer Chris Matlosz will be honored.

Matlosz was shot to death Jan. 14, 2011 while questioning a suspect in an October 2010 murder.

“I guess you could say an officer was killed, but he’s not from here – it didn’t affect me,” Kline said. “But you have to say this is a good cause.”

Galloway Ptl. Carolyn Buckley said Team GPS is usually the same core people.

“We lose some and gain some,” Buckley said. “It’s four days mandatory. Riding during the day is difficult. You’re sore and tired, wind burned, sunburned and wet. While I’m riding I think about the officers we’ve lost.”

She said riders have banners for the fallen – featuring their birth and death dates.

“I like it, we meet up with some of the same people every year – they’re part of our law enforcement family,” Buckley said. “One woman rides – she’s not in law enforcement, but her husband died in the line of duty.”

Buckley, one of the original GPS team members, said it’s very emotional as riders unite and are finally some 1,200 strong in Washington.

Another Galloway police participant is John Kelly.

“I went to the vigil the past two years,” he said. “These guys (Kline and Buckley) had a lot to do with it. It’s about giving something back to the officers who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty.”

This will be his first time riding the 300 miles on a bike.

“I look forward to the challenge, the ride and the camaraderie,” Kelly said. “It’s a brotherhood. The vigil itself was breathtaking.

“Everybody helps each other get down the road,” former Stockton Ptl. Courtney McDevitt said. “On the ride it’s amazing, the support.”

McDevitt suffered an injury forcing her into early retirement from her police department.

It also caused her to switch to a support role on the tour after riding her bike since 2008.

But she knows and said she expects to share the feeling.

“Everything you do all year becomes worth it,” McDevitt said. “All that hard work comes together.”

The next major fundraiser will be a 7-11 p.m. Friday, March 2 beef and beer at JD’s Pub. There will be a Chinese auction and a 50-50 with all proceeds going to the National Law Enforcement Officers Fund.