The ride is over and I can’t believe it. We did it…myself, my team and all of the national riders did it. We rode the country and raised over 1.5 million dollars thanks to all of you wonderful supporters!!
Before I go any further, I have to apologize…I did blog 3 times from my blackberry but they didn’t post it seems. I thought that they were but…I was told and can now see…that they didn’t. I am not sure why but I will try and catch everyone up on the wonderful journey that I had.
I brought my computer but we had no way of getting on the internet and quite frankly not a lot of time.
Our day consisted of getting woken up early…going to the washroom…getting dressed and eating and getting on our bikes and riding. We only stopped to go to the bathroom or eat…no siteseeing allowed…we had a very strict schedule. People were waiting for us with wonderful meals and enthusiasm along the way.
The scenery was amazing. We rode through the rockies where we saw mountains and black bears. There was even snow on the road at one point. I took a moment while riding to look over at the mountains and noticed an incredible waterfall like I had never seen before and I was able to share the moment with the rest of the team as we quickly pedaled our way through the long rocky inclines. We ate dinner at an amazing restaurant on our 2nd night. The restaurant opened and made a special meal just for us. This was thanks to Eric and Jamie who were in charge of feeding us. They knew we needed our spirits lifted after 2 long lonely tiring days. Salmon and roasted vegies eaten on a deck over looking the mountains…life was perfect!!
After eating dinner each night, we would go and have a shower, get back in the RV and drive for usually about 5 hours to where our moving bunkhouse was located. We slept in the back of a truck trailer where bunks had been made, hooks for bikes to hand and our bags were stuffed under the bunks. Once we arrived at the bunks we usually managed a couple of hours of sleep before the whole day began again…what an experience.
I can’t believe it. In one week from now, I will be in Vancouver with the other National Riders and Volunteers. Time has flown by. We had our last netmeeting last night and our wonderfully inspirational leader, Jeff Rushton, put the whole ride into perspective by emphasizing that we are doing this to raise money and awareness for the KIDS. It is not about how for or long we are riding and whether we are ready or not but that we are actually living the dream of helping the cause. This whole undertaking has been about the journey and not the destination so I have been able to put my fears to rest that knowing no matter how I do on the ride I have done what I set out to do…I have raised awareness and money for Kids with Cancer and their families and I have trained long and hard to help to ensure that I can ride the best that I can ride as we cross CANADA!!
Soooo…everyone pray for the wind at our backs…no rain and about 18C…that isn’t asking for too much :)
It is hard to believe that it is only 3 more weeks and at this moment I will be in Vancouver getting ready to leave for the start of probably the biggest adventure of my life. 12 days riding across our great country meeting amazing people and seeing incredible things….I can’t wait :)
My training is going well. I rode 400 kms this past weekend and have been out on the road this week also riding. I saw a good friend of mine that I have not seen since I started riding on the road back at the beginning of April…Penny passed me on a backroad and we both smiled in recognition and waved…I took my hand carefully off the handlebars on a very windy morning and she happily stuck her hand through the sunroof of her Jetta. I smiled for the rest of my ride. It was great to see her!!
Riding on the road is soooo much better than inside. I just wish that someone would be brave and ride with me. No one wants to ride for 200km on a Saturday or even 60 km on a week night. I guess I can’t blame them…but it is fun!!
Fundraising is moving along. We are getting closer to the goal all the time. A big part of that is in thanks to my local sponsors who have been incredibly generous. And of course all of the individual donations that generous people have made towards an amazing cause have been the biggest part. I am amazed how generous people really are.
The next and last fundraising event…which will be sooo much FUN…is at Cobble Beach Golf and Country Club on June 7th from 11- 3 pm and it is a Family BBQ that is all you can eat for only…$10/person. What a deal for Cobble Beach!! I am in the process of collecting numerous raffle prizes and we will be having lots of fun events for the kids. If you can make it please come. Tickets can be bought ahead from myself, Cobble Beach or Mr. Inkbee.
Well, I promise to update sooner this time and yes I will definitely be blogging every night across the country…I want you all there with me every pedal push of the way and if you want…you can push the pedal a few times too!!
