The last day of riding. Not sure how to sum this day up. A short, scenic ride scheduled from Lower Sackville to Halifax. A large group again as we are riding all three teams together. Team 2 seams to find each other and ride mostly together. Always nice to ride with those you know and trust - also easy to tell who everyone is from their rear.
Our route took a hilly windy road down to Peggy’s Cove and the Swiss Air 111 Memorial. Time for a few more team photos and quiet reflection.
First stop was at a Sears store. Welcomed with thank-you speeches and we heard from 2 ambassador kids who would both love to do the national ride next year. Great goal!
From there a short ride to IWK for the last inside ride. Departing, team 2 was told to ride up front. We arrived at Point Pleasant Park and started walking our bikes down the path towards the beach. We were elated to see the Josh Nelson and his parents waiting for us. Team 2 reunited again (though still minus Drew). We completed closing ceremonies with a toast; we tossed the pebbles we had taken from White Rock beach into the Atlantic, and dipped our front wheels. We were done! A great journey completed. A party and dinner that evening. A chance to spend with people who believed in the same goal, who lumped together became friends, and became family.
A few days in Halifax to wind down, and then back home with lots of memories.
Today Team 2 had a special ride. We made a route change so we could ride into fellow teammat, Susanne Delaney’s hometown of Antigonish. We started with an eggs Benedict breakfast at the Truro Sears store. A stiff breeze from the west was promising for our ride. Today we dedicated our ride to Kallen from Saskatchewan a peds survivor and for Ruth, Tom’s mom.
We rode out and quickly warmed up. A beautiful, warm day - probably one of the best. Today’s route took us along a winding, hilly route with great scenery. A treat to ride. Today was a tough day on the legs. They felt tired all day but managed to push up every hill climbing 3700 feet over 140km and gain plenty of speed on the flats and downhills.
Our day ended with a hero’s welcome at St. Andrews Consolidated School where Susanne works. The whole school was out screaming and cheering for us. It was absolutely amazing! Since we ride for kids, its great when we get to spend time with them and get them excited. After our greating, we divided up and went to their classrooms. In the halls they had made posters of us, and had huge maps tracking our route complete with printed photos from our blogs and websites. In the classroom we answers questions and signed autographs. Once back in the hall we were mobbed for more autographs signing papers, t-shirts, Canada flags and even shoes. We were treated like heros, but the real heros are our ambassadors, and the children and their families who fight this every day.
A great spread at Sears and showers at Goodlife Fitness.
Now off to Lower Sackville where we will start our final day. Not sure what to expect tomorrow. This journey has been long with preparation almost a year. The ride part has been an experience to remember. Great friends, good teammates, amazing support crew and drivers, fantastic community support along the way, and emotional experiences meeting kids and families who inspire us to keep riding.
One more day.
A great ride today. Probably one of the best days riding and scenery wise. We started in Edmunston at 4 degrees C. It was great terrain with rolling hills and some bigger climbs. Todays distance was 190km with climbing about 4000ft. We rode through the longest covered bridge in Hartland. A great chance to see some lovely parts of Easter Canada and Maritimes. Once again we had great rest stops with homemade soup, homemade chili and fresh fruit and veggies.
At our last rest stop in Woodstock, we were treated to grilled chicken, fresh roasted veggies and baked potatoes. Mmmmm…good fuel.
Off to Truro tonight. A long shuttle so it means some good sleep in the RV. Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to Sharlene our massage therapist yesterday. She had previous commitments and couldn’t go all the way to Halifax with us. She did a great job taking care of us. We’ll miss you Sharlene.
Posting this a day late. We started in Trois Riviere with an earlier wake up at 5:30 am in order to make a 7am departure. The morning started cool as usual but turned to a lovely day with the sun out and a nice tail breeze. We travelled along the north side of the St. Laurence. A beautiful road lined with small farms and quaint houses. We made great time.
One of the highlights was stopping at the Louis Garneau factory for lunch with Louis himself. All our great cycling clothes are Garneau who is one of the ride sponsors. He was gracious enough to join our team for the last 15km to our Sears mall stop in Quebec City. At the community event, one of the oncologists thanked Coast to Coast for the funds they donate for pediatric oncolgy research as this is the only money they receive. That really highlighted the importance of what this ride does. A nervous Jacob told his story about battling cancer. He still has a couple of months of treatment to go. Thanks for your sincerity and sharing your story with us.
After some delicious sandwiches, we were off shuttling to Edmonston New Brunswick. Next ride is 185km from Edmonston to Woodstock.
Thee more days to go! The body and mind are both hanging in there. Some days easier than others. Though tired, I continue to feel sronger each day.
A busy day. Not sure how one has a busy day when most if it is cycling, but today felt packed.
We started in Kingston with a great Sears store bathroom and breakfast. We continue to receive star treatment from stores and volunteers. Highlight of the morning was that our team leader Ken Cross was in home town, and had his family present. He talked about his families experience with cancer as his daughter Megan has battled cancer twice with a bone marrow transplant from her sister Leah on May 14. Once again it was a very emotional start to the day. We grow closer as a team, friends, and as a family as we share these powerful experiences together. Today we dedicated our ride to Megan.
We were joined by several ride along cyclists and enjoyed our warmest day yet with the sun out riding through gently rolling farmland surrounded by corn fields and dairy farms.
A small store in Smiths Falls welcomed us very warmly with police escort and street closure. The mayor was out to wish us well and meet the riders.
An enthusiastic Inside Ride in Ottawa finished the organized part of the day.
Over the past five days, we have has the immense privilege and honor of riding with Josh Nelson through Ontario. This strong, courageous 16 year old was able to realize his dream and be a national rider. His happy spirit and sharp, witty sense of humor was a great addition to our team. And can’t forget his great parents, Andrew and Rina were incredibly supportive to the who team, and I enjoyed talking with them and sharing our experiences. Today was the last day riding with Josh. We tried to kidnap him and take him to Halifax. We pleaded with him. I think he would have come in a heartbeat it was possible, but back to work and back to school. Josh told us how much he had learned from us, but I think we got just as much, if not more from him.
Cheers to you Josh! Congrats and being a national rider, doing your longest ride ever, and showing how much one person can do and inspiring so many others to do something meaningful.
Tomorrow we ride from Trois Riviere to Quebec City. Should be a beautiful ride.
Two thirds done. Wow! This has a funny way of going really fast and slow at the same time. Sometimes its hard to remember where we rode yesterday.
This morning started in Woodstock at Linda Kay’s Sears store. Linda is a fellow national rider. The morning started with a rainbow in the sky. We heard some beautiful stories and dedications this morning that gave all the riders lots to ride for. We then rode all three teams together with several ride along cyclists. A great ride through lovely country to Brampton. A warm welcome with a live band and more ride along cyclists joining in. Then on to Burlington for lunch. A lunch full of energy and emotion. The sears store manager shaved his head and we had the honor and pleasure of hearing Josh Nelson speak. Last year he spoke at the same location and challenged the national riders to “ride until he could ride with them”. Well as Josh said, “they called his bluff”, and he’s been riding with team 2 across Ontario. Josh is truly inspirational to ride with (and Drew his tandem partner). You can follow his blog at http://joshnelson.snkcr.com
I think his speech will be posted there. There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd when he was done.
From there on to Oakville and then Etobicoke, picking up more and more ride alongs as we went.
A large community event where many riders hadfamily waiting. I’ve already got to see mine back on day 5, but missed them all the same.
An emotional day with sadness and lots of hope.
Tonight we shuttle to Kingston. Tomorrow’s ride will take us to Ottawa.
5 now days to go. Be sure to check the main page www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com for lots of photos and video. Been having some trouble uploading pics from my phone.
Tobermory to Collingwood with stops in Owen Sound and Walters Falls.
What a great ride today! All began with waking to a balmy 10 celcius. First day riding in a while without the jacket. The road was rough in places where they had scarified the road (sounds like scary and terrified) which made for high vibration on the bike. The highlight today was that Josh Nelson did his longest ride, covering 185km on the tandem. Way to go Josh! We’re all proud of you!
After our ride we headed to a Norwegian spa for showers and hot and cold tubs. Thanks Melanie!
Todays ride was dedicated to Melodina from Shelburne who lost her battle when she was 17. Her dad met us in Walters Falls which was quite special.
Tomorrow all three teams meet up in Woodstock for a busy day riding to Toronto with lots of ride alongs and an Inside Ride.
