Former Olympian Harold Backer missing: Friends join search

A week ofsearching involvingpolice has failed to turn up any clues to the disappearance ofa Vancouver Island cyclistand now some of his friends are conducting a search of their own.

Police believeHarold Backer, 52, boarded the MV Coho ferry inVictoriawith hisbikeon Nov. 3, destined forPort Angeles in Washington State.

On Monday,Luke Millsboarded that same ferry in an effort toretrace his friend's steps.

"His friends and family care deeply about his wellbeing and we want to try to make contact with him if he is there and he is not in distress," said Mills who has known Backer for about a decade and used to work with him.

Facebook page for search

Mills said he believes his friend was planning tocycle the popular Olympic Peninsula and is baffled by his sudden disappearance.

"Everyone that I speak with is dumbfounded about why he is missing, and why he didn't return."

Backer was part of the Canadian rowing team for the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics. Since then he has coached rowing and asocial media profile indicates he has owned an internet service provider and a financial planning company.

Mills has set up a Facebookpage called Finding Harold Backer to help gather information and coordinate with other friends who have also travelled to Washington State to join the search.

Victoria Police Constable Matt Rutherford saidthere's been a lot oftips from the public on Vancouver Island and in WashingtonState,but no leads.

"Nothing has been concrete in where he has gone and of course his family and the police department are worried and just want to make sure he is ok," he said.

Victoria Police are also working with U.S law enforcement, including thePort Angeles Police Department, as the search continues.