Now that we are slowing getting back into our “normal” daily routines my mind keeps drifting back to our ride across Canada. It’s hard not to when I get daily reminders from friends and family that followed me on twitter. It started with a physical and a fundraising challenge and ended with one of the best experiences of my life. As we conquered each day our team grew closer together and understood each other as our new reality set in. My life became quite simple - in fact all my stuff was reduced to 3 boxes, a bike and a bunk. Without the clutter clarity set in and I was able to truly enjoy the 15 day ride, the scenery, and doing my best to add value to our team. By the time we arrived in Halifax I can honestly say that this was the best team I have ever been a part of. Also, as much as Tour for Kids has opened my eyes to the needs of kids living with and beyond cancer I have never been so inspired by anyone in my life as I have been with the ambassadors I was able to meet and listen to along the way. How grateful they were of us made me feel we were not doing nearly enough compared to what they have had to endured. All I can say is thank you for such a life changing opportunity. I know Thanksgiving weekend will have more meaning now.
What a terrific day! Eastern hospitality, tail winds, sunshine while riding 170 km from St John (friendliest Sears ever) to Moncton.
We left the Sears in St John (which left their store open for us all night) via police escort towards Moncton. We had a nice lunch at Sussex. It only got better when we hit the village of Petitcodiac. They had balloons, muffins from a local bakery and most importantly kids from kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 that made a sign and came to greet us. The town people also had a bunch of cheques and cash donations! Then off to Moncton. We passed the Bay of Fundy on route to the Sears. They had the Dragon boat ladies with paddles for us to walk under then local entertainment sang, fiddled, dance and performed magic tricks. Oh yeah - great dinner too. Thank you New Brunswick for your overwhelming hospitality!
You know it is one of those days when we don’t where the restaurant for breakfast is. When we do find it we ended up riding our bikes to it. We had some extra guests for breakfast since we met up with the special event crew the evening before.
Then the ride started … we got lost right from the start. Ended up on the Transcanada highway which had great pavement. We did work our way to our lunch stop the NY Fries put on.
After lunch we went the wrong way again and ended up doing at least a 10 km ride in one direction and back to our starting point. We did get to do a 9 degree hill in the process - haha.
Back on track until we got to Edmundston. I guess getting lost comes in 3s. We ended up going to a Days Inn rather than a Best Western. Retrace our steps one more time. As we are approaching the hotel after 197 km there is one more hill with around a 15 degree pitch. Our 170 km ride was extended.
Found a hot tub and got pizza for dinner - life is good!
On paper our ride looked like a walk in the park. We had flat roads and only 135 km ride today. It started in Montreal and ended in Trois Riviere. However, the winds picked up and switched direction for the whole day. I have not idea how hard they were blowing but during one gust I did yell at the wind “Is that all you’ve got!!”. It really did feel like a 5 hour spin class with no music and the tension on high. The day finished with the smelliest manue tractor that made us all gag. Also, as we were finishing our ride we had a steep uphill against the wind into Univerity of Quebec. Rest time until tomorrow.
Going from Woodstock to Burlington on this sunny and warm day was simply a blur. I honestly can’t remember if I peddled. As I was leading the group into Brantford and knowing I was going to see 5 of my riding buddies literally gave me goose bumps.
Then, as Blake and I lead the group into Burlington and caught a look of my family and friends I got a lump in my through. Here I thought I was going to get sore legs.
What a wonderful day!!
