Just one more thing, as Columbo used to say...
As would be expected, many people brought cameras on the Ride and there's a burgeoning collection of images on the Flickr site --> check out some of the photostreams. Some very good work has been posted over the past few days.
One of my favourites was a shot of the first site of the city of Niagara Falls. As I mentioned earlier, we came in through the back way, along Stanley Avenue. It was shortly after we made the turn onto Stanley that we saw the hotel towers in the distance. Feelings of achievement (we've almost made it!) and relief (we've almost made it!) washed over us as we saw the finish line start to come into view.
Plans are already well under way for the 2009 edition of the Ride (Jun 12-14). I haven't registered yet (I thought it was prudent to see how long the recovery would take!), but I'm giving it serious consideration.
It's the second morning after the event. The base of the spine is still a bit compressed, but it's getting better.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Later that same evening
I had time to add some photos to a number of the posts over the past couple of days. You'll find them scattered through the entries. In the course of adding the photos, I also did a little bit of clean-up on the text, correcting spelling and adding a little more detail in places.
It's difficult to describe an event like this one. Kudos must go to the organizers, the volunteers and paid staff. They got 2850 riders from Toronto to Niagara Falls in two days, made sure that we had enough food, liquids and washrooms as well as technical and medical support when we needed it. I don't recall a single complaint from anyone over the entire event. Amazing!
And this was much more than a charity event. Throughout the Ride, they brought home the purpose for our being there in powerful ways. Some examples:
It's difficult to describe an event like this one. Kudos must go to the organizers, the volunteers and paid staff. They got 2850 riders from Toronto to Niagara Falls in two days, made sure that we had enough food, liquids and washrooms as well as technical and medical support when we needed it. I don't recall a single complaint from anyone over the entire event. Amazing!
And this was much more than a charity event. Throughout the Ride, they brought home the purpose for our being there in powerful ways. Some examples:
- At the start on Saturday, they started by having an "honour guard" of cancer survivors lead a riderless bicycle across the start line
- Many of the other riders lined the access road to Mohawk College to welcome the woman who managed to cycle the route with one leg in (see below). Her perseverance was an inspiration to all.
- Along the route, we frequently passed both small and large groups of people at the side of the road, many holding large sheets of construction paper with handmade signs for a rider or team. As we passed, we heard many of them say "thanks". Even at 7:30 this morning, we passed many people who stood at the end of their driveway, coffee mugs in hand and smiles on their faces.
End of the road --13:19
It's all over, except for the massive doses of anti-inflammatories.
We took the back way into Niagara, which made for a very quiet finish, at least until we got to the last km.
The finish line and approach was lined with cheering & waving people. They set it up so that the last 50m or so was down a tunnel of spectators. It was quite overwhelming.
Here's a shot of the back end of the finish line. As it turns out, the man on the bike is Paul Alofs -- the President and CEO of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. He was one of many of the PMH staff who participated in the Ride and, I will humbly mention, finished over an hour after I did (:->):
The weather now is beautiful, a perfect end to a fairly tough weekend.
Thanks to all who offered their support to my endeavour. I felt your presence through every kilometre.
--------------------------
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We took the back way into Niagara, which made for a very quiet finish, at least until we got to the last km.
The finish line and approach was lined with cheering & waving people. They set it up so that the last 50m or so was down a tunnel of spectators. It was quite overwhelming.
Here's a shot of the back end of the finish line. As it turns out, the man on the bike is Paul Alofs -- the President and CEO of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. He was one of many of the PMH staff who participated in the Ride and, I will humbly mention, finished over an hour after I did (:->):
The weather now is beautiful, a perfect end to a fairly tough weekend.
Thanks to all who offered their support to my endeavour. I felt your presence through every kilometre.
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Stop #3 -- St. John's (12:25)
Looks like I'm a little ahead of yesterday's pace.
There is 34 km left to go. We just went through a stretch of steep downhills and one bitch-of-a-climb (50 deg +) to the rest stop.
Sun's out now and the heat has arrived.
On to the finish line!
--------------------------
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There is 34 km left to go. We just went through a stretch of steep downhills and one bitch-of-a-climb (50 deg +) to the rest stop.
Sun's out now and the heat has arrived.
On to the finish line!
--------------------------
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Stop #2 - lunch (9:44)
It's the halfway point. Still cool, but the sun just appeared.
A very nice route today, but some rough patches as well. We came down one step incline, then made a hard right into a stretch of recently grooved road. Nasty.
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A very nice route today, but some rough patches as well. We came down one step incline, then made a hard right into a stretch of recently grooved road. Nasty.
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Stop #1 - Grimsby (8:36)
The first pit stop of the day is at a place called the Rock Chapel in Grimsby.
[Added later that evening]
Pit stops tend to be a bit crazy. They're usually open areas at the side of the road (e.g. church lots, conservation areas, schools, etc.). As you approach the pit stop, there are folks who want to stop and refuel, get water or use the washroom; others want to continue on. It's amazing that there weren't accidents, but everyone did a great job of watching out for each other. I've added a couple of shots from Rock Chapel.
[End of added text]
Still overcast but dry. On the way out of Hamilton, we rode along a road at the edge of the mountain with a breathtaking view of the lake. Steely bright sky to the west (a good sign?).
So far so good. Still have a seat (:->) and I'm starting to loosen up a bit.
--------------------------
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[Added later that evening]
Pit stops tend to be a bit crazy. They're usually open areas at the side of the road (e.g. church lots, conservation areas, schools, etc.). As you approach the pit stop, there are folks who want to stop and refuel, get water or use the washroom; others want to continue on. It's amazing that there weren't accidents, but everyone did a great job of watching out for each other. I've added a couple of shots from Rock Chapel.
[End of added text]
Still overcast but dry. On the way out of Hamilton, we rode along a road at the edge of the mountain with a breathtaking view of the lake. Steely bright sky to the west (a good sign?).
So far so good. Still have a seat (:->) and I'm starting to loosen up a bit.
--------------------------
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Day 2 -- odds and sods at 6:30
Cool, very overcast and a bit of drizzle this morning. People are starting to drift to breakfast and their bikes. The "official" start is at 7.
Some updates on the last entry...
I was able to get a replacement seat from one of the techs yesterday afternoon.
After dinner, there was the latest in a series of pretty emotional events here. A number of riders carry a yellow flag on their bikes -- they are "cancer survivors".
One of them (I didn't catch her name) finished the course around 7:30 last night. She lost her left leg to cancer and was riding one of those large tricycles. Many of the other participants lined the access rode to the camp to cheer her on. Amazing!
Last night at dinner, the most common question heard was "would you do it again?" (There are registration booths for 2009 at camp). The best answer I heard was "that's like asking a woman if she was going to have a kid just after giving birth". People today are a mix of the walking wounded and people who look as fresh as they were yesterday morning. I must find out what drugs they're taking.
One final stat for this morning. As of yesterday morning, I had received $2860 in donations. Thanks to all who have supported the cause. Apparently the web site for donations will remain open for a short time after this weekend, if you, gentle reader, would like to add to this total.
Off to find the start line.
Here's the route for Day 2 (click on the image to see a larger version):
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Some updates on the last entry...
I was able to get a replacement seat from one of the techs yesterday afternoon.
After dinner, there was the latest in a series of pretty emotional events here. A number of riders carry a yellow flag on their bikes -- they are "cancer survivors".
One of them (I didn't catch her name) finished the course around 7:30 last night. She lost her left leg to cancer and was riding one of those large tricycles. Many of the other participants lined the access rode to the camp to cheer her on. Amazing!
Last night at dinner, the most common question heard was "would you do it again?" (There are registration booths for 2009 at camp). The best answer I heard was "that's like asking a woman if she was going to have a kid just after giving birth". People today are a mix of the walking wounded and people who look as fresh as they were yesterday morning. I must find out what drugs they're taking.
One final stat for this morning. As of yesterday morning, I had received $2860 in donations. Thanks to all who have supported the cause. Apparently the web site for donations will remain open for a short time after this weekend, if you, gentle reader, would like to add to this total.
Off to find the start line.
Here's the route for Day 2 (click on the image to see a larger version):
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Evening
It's just after 6 pm. Just had a pretty decent meal and am now enjoying a cold (and free!) Steamwhistle on the lawn of Mohawk College.
There are people (and cyclists (:->)) everywhere. A large beer tent is the focal point. A very bad generic cover band is doing what every bad generic cover band does -- reduce multiple genres/artists/songs to mush.
Had a chance to talk to a few people over dinner. Everyone is hurting and all are happy to be a part of this event. To the question: will you try it again, the universal response is a qualified "maybe". We're all waiting to see what tomorrow brings.
It's another early start tomorrow. We are supposed to be on our way by 7 am.
--------------------------
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There are people (and cyclists (:->)) everywhere. A large beer tent is the focal point. A very bad generic cover band is doing what every bad generic cover band does -- reduce multiple genres/artists/songs to mush.
Had a chance to talk to a few people over dinner. Everyone is hurting and all are happy to be a part of this event. To the question: will you try it again, the universal response is a qualified "maybe". We're all waiting to see what tomorrow brings.
It's another early start tomorrow. We are supposed to be on our way by 7 am.
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
15:30 -- Stage 1 complete
Once we got through Flamborough, the skies brightened and, by the time we got to Mohawk, it was very sunny and very hot.
Mechanics seemed to be the theme of the day today. Somewhere just inside Hamilton, my seat became dislodged. We [two ride staff and I] tried to reseat it, but were only partially successful.
I rode the last 3-4 km without a seat. At this time, I'm typing this from the lineup for the bike techs.
Let's hope tomorrow is a little less interesting!
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Mechanics seemed to be the theme of the day today. Somewhere just inside Hamilton, my seat became dislodged. We [two ride staff and I] tried to reseat it, but were only partially successful.
I rode the last 3-4 km without a seat. At this time, I'm typing this from the lineup for the bike techs.
Let's hope tomorrow is a little less interesting!
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
The heavens really just opened
Fortunately I'm still at stop #3.
We're all hiding under the rest stop tents, looking for blue sky.
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We're all hiding under the rest stop tents, looking for blue sky.
--------------------------
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Stop #3 -- Somewhere in Flamborough
When we left the Bible Camp, the heavens opened somewhat. Light rain for the following 5-10k.
The distance between Omagh and Flamborough is almost all hilly (mostly little ones and a couple of nasty ones too). Starting to see more mechanical problems (flats, broken chains, etc.). And to quote one of the other participants -- "now this is work".
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The distance between Omagh and Flamborough is almost all hilly (mostly little ones and a couple of nasty ones too). Starting to see more mechanical problems (flats, broken chains, etc.). And to quote one of the other participants -- "now this is work".
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Stop #2 -- Lunch!
We're at some place called the Omagh Bible Camp for lunch... Rolled in here around 10:48.
The route took us past the Erin Mills Town Centre and some of the most ghastly examples of suburban neo-urbanist architecture, the best (?) that Mississauga has to offer. Mostly country roads now and we are very much sharing the road with cars.
Overcast and warm and humid now. We may have just missed a storm cell earlier.
A word about some of the volunteers. There are marshalls at many of the intersections that seem to be part of a (moto)cycling club. Lots of big-ass Harleys, leather chaps and bandanas. The Hells Angels might be an official sponsor of the event.
I'm fed, watered and drained. Back to the road.
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
The route took us past the Erin Mills Town Centre and some of the most ghastly examples of suburban neo-urbanist architecture, the best (?) that Mississauga has to offer. Mostly country roads now and we are very much sharing the road with cars.
Overcast and warm and humid now. We may have just missed a storm cell earlier.
A word about some of the volunteers. There are marshalls at many of the intersections that seem to be part of a (moto)cycling club. Lots of big-ass Harleys, leather chaps and bandanas. The Hells Angels might be an official sponsor of the event.
I'm fed, watered and drained. Back to the road.
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Stop #1 -- 9:15
Just got to the first stop.
I was in the front of the pack at the start (location, location, location), then blew the front tire in Long Branch. So much for 1 spare and 2 CO2 cartridges.
The route has been good. Out on Lakeshore to Cawthra, north to the Queensway, west to Erindale Station Road and we're at a school just north of Dundas.
Clouds starting to gather in the west.
--------------------------
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I was in the front of the pack at the start (location, location, location), then blew the front tire in Long Branch. So much for 1 spare and 2 CO2 cartridges.
The route has been good. Out on Lakeshore to Cawthra, north to the Queensway, west to Erindale Station Road and we're at a school just north of Dundas.
Clouds starting to gather in the west.
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Some stats
2850 riders
>$14 million raised
16 US States; 8 Canadian provinces; 1 cyclist from Australia... and here they are:
And here's the route for Day 1 (click on the image to see a larger version):
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>$14 million raised
16 US States; 8 Canadian provinces; 1 cyclist from Australia... and here they are:
And here's the route for Day 1 (click on the image to see a larger version):
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Quote heard while waiting for start...
"There are more people here than cyclists."
The class system (still) lives...
That said, there's an amazing collection of bikes here this morning. Lots of the usual suspects (Cervelo, Devinci), but a lot of ever-more specialized pieces of space-age engineering. And then there's mine (:->).
Haven't seen any of the Duke's Survivor bikes yet, but I'll keep an eye out for them.
--------------------------
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The class system (still) lives...
That said, there's an amazing collection of bikes here this morning. Lots of the usual suspects (Cervelo, Devinci), but a lot of ever-more specialized pieces of space-age engineering. And then there's mine (:->).
Haven't seen any of the Duke's Survivor bikes yet, but I'll keep an eye out for them.
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Day 1 -- arrival
It's 6:15 am right now, in the cavern of Hall A in the Direct Energy Centre, down at the Ex.
The hall is stripped to the concrete, and seems much bigger than it normally is. The 3000 riders, scores of volunteers and organizers are all milling about, grabbing breakfast and water, checking out their bikes and going through whatever specific ritual each has for starting the morning.
Almost everyone is wearing the yellow-and-blue jersey of the ride. The effect is of a room full of bees (there's also lots of buzz to add to the effect).
Heading out to the start line now. The ride begins in 20 minutes...
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
The hall is stripped to the concrete, and seems much bigger than it normally is. The 3000 riders, scores of volunteers and organizers are all milling about, grabbing breakfast and water, checking out their bikes and going through whatever specific ritual each has for starting the morning.
Almost everyone is wearing the yellow-and-blue jersey of the ride. The effect is of a room full of bees (there's also lots of buzz to add to the effect).
Heading out to the start line now. The ride begins in 20 minutes...
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Friday, June 20, 2008
Day 0 -- From the Queue
Today is "check-in day"... We're supposed to drop off our waivers, pledges, the bike and get our materials for tomorrow.
I rode down to the Ex along the Lakeshore. Scattered cloud, lots of blue sky and a stiff wind out of the east. Hoping that this is a good omen for tomorrow...
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
I rode down to the Ex along the Lakeshore. Scattered cloud, lots of blue sky and a stiff wind out of the east. Hoping that this is a good omen for tomorrow...
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Countdown Continues
Less than 36 hours to go to the start of the Ride. Most of the time has been spent making lists, checking them twice and keeping a very close eye on the weather for the weekend!
Yesterday I spent some time with a colleague going over the latest meteorological models for the next few days. We may have to go all "Arthur Dent" this weekend, packing towels and trying to stay dry.
Yesterday I spent some time with a colleague going over the latest meteorological models for the next few days. We may have to go all "Arthur Dent" this weekend, packing towels and trying to stay dry.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Give us a wave!
Now that we're in the last few days of preparation for the Ride on Saturday, communications from the organizers are starting to heat up.
One of the tidbits received yesterday was a list of "designated cheering stations", where folks can hang out and wave at and cheer for the participants. If you happen to be near any of these on the weekend, pop over and show us your support.
One of the tidbits received yesterday was a list of "designated cheering stations", where folks can hang out and wave at and cheer for the participants. If you happen to be near any of these on the weekend, pop over and show us your support.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Pre-launch checkout
Two weeks and counting to the Ride. I've been looking for ways to keep people up-to-date on my progress through the coming weekend and have decided to create a small transient blog for that purpose. Blackberry willing, I will be posting periodic updates from the roads, hills and valleys of southern Ontario on the weekend of June 21-22.
Watch this space...
Watch this space...
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