As the warm weather arrives, I find myself ‘itching’ to ride again. I soon realize though, that my training is not that what it was a year ago….but I still love to ride nonetheless. I have signed up for the Tour for Kids in August…all donations go to camps for kids cancer (still part of the Coast to Coast against Cancer Foundation). I look forward to riding with the group and spending this summer with my husband and kids just touring the neighbourhood on our bikes.
Good luck to all of the National Riders for 2010…may the wind always be on your back. :)
After a shower and a rest, it’s time for dinner and the final farewell presentations. It was an incredible evening. We had a great dinner…and I tried to remind myself to slow down and actually taste this meal before it gets digested. I didn’t have to hurry any more. After dinner, we had presentations from each team….3 national teams..and 2 ride along teams. It was so good to hear all of their stories…and a chance for all of us to say thank you. We ended the night being presented a incredible medallion (Olympic gold size)…to remember our participation in the 2009 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. I celebrated with my teammates and crew….we cried and we laughed all night. We were all changed by this experience….and it will be sometime (if ever) that we will feel ‘normal’ again.
To everyone who has been touched by this event…by this cause….To everyone in my life…..Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all have carried me through the training and over the past 12 days….and I am ever so grateful for your love and support….now and always.
Love,
Laurie
I woke up in the early morning hours to the sound of rain pounding on the bunk truck. I was near the door and feel the water spraying at my feet…but I just laid in rest. Somehow…despite the noise and into-the-night partying, I managed to fall asleep and felt good. Had a wonderful breakfast…the best so far…french cinnamon toast, sausages, juice, etc. I get dressed and start to clean up my bike. It’s a mess. Dirt, grease, tar, bugs…you name it…it’s stuck on. I do the best I can with rags and water bottles….regrease the chain…give the frame a shine…and we’re ready to go. All national team riders are together…we’re lead out with the Nova Scotia Police department…and incredible group of guys…very dedicated and passionate about our cause. The speech given by one of the officers brings us all to tears. They tell us they will only ‘roll’ at 20-25 kph but before we know it, our pace is up to 30kph…but the roads are great…and the rain has held off…so no one is complaining whatsoever. We arrive at Sears and are greated by the loudest crowd yet. Lots of speeches…one by Hanna, an incredibly mature 16 year old…who thanks us for what we’re doing for all the kids. We’re so used to being rushed along to stay on schedule, that we all eat and load up quickly…but today…there is not rush to move out. Eventually, we get back on the bikes for a very short ride to the Children’s hospital. Again, more speeches…Hanna again tells us how scared she was when she first heard the diagnosis but that the doctors and nurses in the hospital put her at ease…and she felt like this was a second home. Again…it reminded me about what’s important in life….People. It’s not about the hospital…how new or old it is….it’s the people that make it a great place.
Off to our final ride to the Atlantic. Al rides along with me most of the way…and I just take in all the sights, smells, and feel of the day. As we approach the beach, we can hear a small pipe band….and lots of children cheering us along the sidelines. We made it! Shoes off…we carry our bikes to the waters edge and dip our front wheels in. It’s a very peaceful feeling for me…and grateful to all the people who got me there. To my family….who I could not have done any of this without. To my friends & collegues….who gave me confidence and encouragement along the way. To my teammates….who were the best 10 people in the world to ride with. To my support crew….who put our needs in front of their own every single day…and took got us across this land…safe & sound. To the children and their families dealing with cancer….our 12 day ride may be over but I will continue to spread raise awareness and funds until we can eliminate cancer from our lives. Be strong….and believe!
A new day…a great start. The Moncton Sears store is open at 5:00 am when we arrive so I have a quick washroom stop before my 1 hour sleep. Despite the lack of sleep, I’m feeling better. Breakfast was good…scrambled eggs and toast… so I’m fuelled and ready. They tell us our total riding is only 135k today….but I know it’s a long way to the Confederation bridge and that most of that will be in the morning. We had a great pit stop in Cap Pelee…where we were given some hats of Acadia and a flag. They just couldn’t do enough to make us feel welcome. Again…more energy to fill my tank. Legs are feeling good but as the pace of the group picks up, I can feel them emptying quickly. Gotta ride smart so I pick up the cadence and pedal easy gears.
After a couple of detours onto dirt roads, we manage to make it to the Bridge. We have to ride in the RV’s over the bridge (not allowed to ride). We get dropped off just outside of Charlottetown to ride in. We have the best reception yet…lots of people cheering us in….lots of great food…and best of all, lots of friends. Helen Muttart, Grammie Murphy, Nanny Carr and Glenda are there with a care package and big hugs and kisses. More tears! Liz, Gab & other orthotic collegues are also there to greet me and wish me well. It felt so good.
We’re on our way to Lower Sackville now….I need to catch some sleep if I can. One more day…2 more sleeps…and I’ll be home, Per & the kids! I love and miss you all so much.
Another sleepless night…barely into QC and we had to get ready to ride. Wow! I’m just completely running on ‘E’. My body and mind go into ‘mechanical mode’….just get ready and ride…it’ll all be ok. We had a really nice visit at the hospital with a girl named Marie…and we gave her a jersey that we had all signed before our trip began. Let’s hope it gives her the courage that she had given us. We were all directionally challenged (riders and crew) trying to find our way out of QC and into Levis. Frustrations were high…and the trip across the extremely windy bridge didn’t help matters. I was worried we were going to miss seeing my friend Gerry in Levis. I needed some of his energy to help get me through this day. The winds were extremely strong and gusty…straight at us (where oh where are the prevailing west winds this year?). At last, we make it to Levis…and I just cry in Gerry’s arms. I’m so happy to see him…and I feel like I’m going to be ok now. True to Gerry form, he makes immediate friends with everyone on the team and he’s gotten permission to join us for our ride to our lunch stop in Montmagny. Gerry also offers a better (more scenic but not longer) route…partially along the bike path. The stress on my face begins to relax knowing that Gerry will guide us towards Riviere Bleu. The pace is more relax too…as we finally stop to enjoy some of this beautiful country and take a look at it. We even stop for a picture with the Chateau Frontenac in the background. As Gerry’s riding with us, he’s giving a tour of all the places we pass by….it’s so great and all of our spirits rise. We stop for a little ’pitstop’ at the Fromergie and Gerry treats us to some of the local cheeses. Gerry fits into the group as we double echelon along the highway as if he’d been riding with us since Vancouver. He detours us off the busy roads for us to get a break from the winds and again, to enjoy the St. Lawrence to our left and beautiful flower gardens and homes to our right. Before we know it, we’re at lunch. Gerry stays to eat and everyone thanks him for such a great morning. I’m sad to say goodbye but I know I will see him in another couple of weeks when the kids and I go back to Levis for the triathlon.
Still a long way to ride this afternoon…over 130k. The wind is really zapping my energy (what little I have left). I just can’t seem to get it back. It’s taking alot of my energy to focus on riding…staying close (but not too close)…and I’m losing some of my smoothness. Our captain and crew are asking if I’m ok. Stubborn me says..”I’ll be ok”. A pit stop mid-afternoon and Al gives me his Livestrong bracelet to wear for strength. I’m grateful and it does help. But by 6:00 pm, the wheel in front of me is getting blurry, I’m shivering, and I know it’s time to pull off before something serious happens. The team has another 30k to go…but my day is done. Once in the van, I begin to cry….I’m exhausted…I’m disappointed I couldn’t push more….but I know I will ride better tomorrow for it….just need to let the tears wash my saddness. Soon, the support crew have my spirits lifted again….and all is good. The team finishes at St. Alexandre at 7:30 pm…..we eat pizza really quick and then begin our shuttle to Moncton (no more riding tonight…Riviere Bleu will have to wait for another year). About an hour away we find an Econolodge where we shower…then back to the RV. We arrive in Moncton at 5:00 am (having lost an hour in the time change)….another sleepless night on ‘the trampoline’. Only 2 more days….hope I can hang in better on Day 11.
Happy Father’s Day! I start the day with a call to my dad…and also one to Perry wishing them a great day.
Kingston to Ottawa….a hot day…a long ride…but some wonderful people we met along the way. We had 2 ride alongs…one to Fort Henry and then one to Gananoque. Again…a very fast pace….feels like a stage race rather than a ride. We average 34kph (so much for the 28.5). Some good treats at the Sears store in Gananoque…now onto Brockville. We made a wrong turn/exit somewhere just before Brockville and found ourselves about to ride on the 401. Whoops! Hop the fence and back onto one of the side roads. It takes a long time (or so it seems) to get through Brockville to our lunch stop but it’s well worth it. Good food…but more importantly, good people. Very sincere ladies who wanted to know about our journey so far and truly wished us a safe ride for the remainder. As we rode off, I could see the kindness in their eyes….I will never forget that.
Onto Manotick….what a ride. The GPS wasn’t working….and we got a bit turned around at times….rode for a bit on an unpaved road (all was good)…stopped to look at the maps several times….but alas, we made it. Because we were running late…and riding the final 25k would mean making the Ottawa Sears group wait for another hour…and possibly no showers tonight…we opted to load the bikes onto the RV and have our dinner and showers. We have to ride to QC tonight so we won’t have alot of sleep likely.
Supper was fantastic….pasta!! And the showers…super…felt good to clear off all the sweat. Just shy of 200k again today….the more we push our bodies…the more they let us do. Incredibel. Only 4 more sleeps until I’m home again.
Today was about family and friends….and the incredible support they have given me and this cause. It was so wonderful to wake up in my own bed….next to my husband and have the kids squeeze in beside us before we woke up. I miss them so very much. I felt a bit off (strangely enough)…as I had gotten used to the routine in the bunk truck and RV. I was worried I would forget something that I needed…but in retrospect…I had everything I could ever want….three great kids and an amazing husband. We made it to the Sears Store by 6:30 am and were greeted by my Mom and Dad. It was so good to see them….I could feel their love protecting me. Mom said she just needed to see me to make sure I was ok. There were alot of friends there too….from Sweaburg & Woodstock….some would be riding with me…others were there to say hello and wish me well. My energy levels just rose the more people I saw. My Sharon Carr came to take pictures and she was going to follow me along until Burlington where she would then ride with me to Toronto. There were reporters and radio personal who wanted to interview Sharron and I. Sharron gave a very nice speech on behalf of all the ‘Woodstock Gang’…I knew I wouldn’t be able to get one word out if I tried too….I was just filled with emotion. The kids were excited to be there…unfortunately, Parker wasn’t feeling well. I thought of him for the entire ride….I just don’t like to see any of my kids sick. I’ll hope and pray he gets better soon. I said my farewells to my family…and off we rode for Brantford. The kids had made a poster for me…saying “Go Mom Go”…and that was the last thing I saw. The pace was quick…I wanted it to be slow. Riding away from home was very very hard to do. In Brantford, I was greeted by more friends and a couple of very special patients of mine…Daniel & his mom, and Deb. It really meant alot to see them there. We had a short presentation and then off to Burlington for lunch.l It had been raining since Woodstock and as the group got larger…it got a bit more dicey to ride. I was on the defensive…couldn’t afford to ‘lose’ any more shoulders (or skin). I had lost Tim in the first group…they were flying. At last, we got to our lunch stop. Here I was greated by the Chedoke gang & friends. I was overwhelmed and again felt their love and support….tears filled my eyes. Sharon continued to remind me to eat….and thankfully she did….or I would have bonked by the time I got to Toronto. There were some wonderful dedications…children who spoke of their cancer…and told us to ‘ride for him until he can ride for himself’. More tears! When will they end! Breathe! We ride again to Oakville…and Gord Ruder has joined us on the ride. To my surprise I see Mary Miller, Dan & Jan Cribbs. So great to see them. Dan just finished a 50k ride that morning! I wish I had more time to sit and chat with everyone to fill them in on the adventure so far….but we have to keep rolling. The closer we get to Toronto, the larger crowd grows…and the more riders we pick up. It’s the most incredible thing. The rain finally stops…and the sun peaks ouit behind the clouds. We finish at Sick Kids Hospital and the streets are lined with people cheering us on. Again…I’m overwhelmed. I feel odd with all the people talking about what we, the riders, are doing…when the real story is about the kids and what they are doing…going through, etc. I say goodbye to Sharon & Gord & family…and suddenly feel alone. It’s been so good to have them to ride with. After some speeches and a quick bite to eat, we’re off to find some showers (in Napanee) and then a final rest in Kingston. Back to the ‘reality of the tour’ and into the RV for our ride to the bunk truck. I share some of Sharon Carr’s homemade cookies she left for me with my team. They go down very easily after the long wet ride. I look forward to riding with our smaller group again…I’ve gotten very used to their styles of riding and are more comfortable being around them than some of the community riders….although I do love to talk to the other riders too…and find out what got them interested…how long they’ve been riding, etc. etc. Thank you to everyone who has been behind me on tihs from the get go….and who came to see me….it really meant a great deal to me….and will help me to get to Halifax.
Happy Anniversary Perry…thanks for 17+ wonderful years…and three amazing kids. I love you!
