Countdown
Hi folks, Just sending this out as a reminder of the welcome team two was given at our school here in the ” Nish”. My next and most likely final post will be of the event that was held here on Sunday.
Hi everyone, I write this sitting on my moms couch in Cape Breton. Yesterday was an amazing day. A day that brought back many feelings and memories of the last 15 days. As team two led the pack in to the Halifax Shopping Center parking lot, I was second from the front and saw a long line of familly and friends lined up to welcome me home. I was proud. I was overwhelmed and part of me was sad to have it all over and done with.
Mr. Rushton asked me to take his spot up on stage. I spoke and emphasized the need to publicize this event here in Nova Scotia. I hope to be able to be a part of that in the future.
The highlight if the day was finishing at Point Pleasant Park, walking my bike down to the water and seeing Josh Nelson in the distance sitting in his chair. The Coast to Coast had flown him in. They had done exactly what we had discussed the night before as being the right thing to do. We were all so happy to see him again.
Supper was great. Speeches and recaps were excellent. Victor, your video was amazing and would make an excellent souvenir. I left the soirée with the first shuttle. Friday morning would be an early one with an assembly at Cheticamp School st 12:00 noon. Thank god my parents were there to drive.
Tonight, I am happy to be able to sit in a warm house and relax a little. With my early departure this morning, I was not able to see everyone before I left. I hope to touch base with them through mail as early as tomorrow.
It has been an amazing experience,one that I have difficulty explaining to others. Today I was asked, ” what do you say to others when they want to know if I think they can do this.”
” The C2C organization will give you what you need to get ready for the physical challenge.
” As I have said a hundred times before , this WAS not about the bike.”
” Never lose sight of the ” why” behind what you are doing. The why, the daily dedications, the emotions and the kids you meet everyday will remind you of the reason you have been chosen.
On September 9th, all of us made a choice to be a part of this journey. We chose to become involved and to help make a positive change in the lives of children with cancer and beyond cancer. I will continue to stand by that and make it a priority to build awareness of this cause and of this ride so that others can make the same choice .
Stay tuned for an update on Sundays community event here in Antigonish.
The morning was windy and lots of clouds. We stood in circle and dedicated the day to a cancer patient from our own Nova Sotia, to Tom Gibsons mom who was having surgery today and to the students of SAC.
The route was beautiful, but tough. Our arrival at school was delayed by 2 flat tires between town and school. Our arrival was unbelievably incredible, even for team members who had no connection to the school.
There were so many things I could have talked about, but I decided to talk a little bit about the ride, the kids and our ambassador team rider. The riders were so happy to spend time with the kids and so impresssed with the staff.
Note: Yesterdays event was an unschedulef event for the kids. The community event will be held on Sunday. Bringing the team home was a quick way of showing the kids that The Coast to Coast Against Cancer Organization appreciates their effort and dedication to the cause .
Stay tuned for day 15 blog.
Hey, For those of you who know me well, giddy yup is one of my favorites. Check Ryan Lyons last blog. See how he signs off. I love it! Giddy yup right back at you Ryan. Ah, go team two!
Who knew there were so many rolling hills in this province? Try 190 kms of them. Today was tough. The legs shut down at the 140 kms mark. Roger said come on, only 40 more. Huh, he was wrong, there were 57 more…. Of rolling hills, brutal climbs and simply put, pure torture. What got me through? I thought of our morning dedications, of struggling parents, of going home to see my familly and friends and THEN….. There was frustration and stubborness. ” I will die before I give up and go to the support vehicle.” It’s not about the physical, but today I had to prove to myself that I took myself home, not the van. I thought back to a comment that I received from one smart cookie called Emma Boudreau last week. She commented on my blog and reminded me of how I taught them to persevere and work hard to achieve their goals as hovkey players snd as individuals. Huh, i remember that well. Emma, today was your turn to teach me because on that last hill entering Woodstock, which was actually three hills combined, your little voice was all I heard over and above my screaming legs, sore butt and numb fingers. Thank girl!
The morning started off with Helene and I translating French dedications to English… On the spot, I might add. What’s a little more pressure?
Today we cycled 197 kms total. All everyone is talking about is our trip to school tomorrow. We are excited to visit the actual people we have all worked so hard for … The little ones!
We are currently on a five hour shuttle to Truro. Off to bed, a little nap and a chat with the legs I have expected so much of over the last 14 days. Nothing wrong talking to your own legs, huh? I figure that one of these days, they will simply say they have had enough of this craziness.
Just to give you an idea of the people I cycle with, today in an attempt to take my mind of the climb, I asked the riders in the peleton . ” so do any of you think we are over training?” All I got back was ” huh?”. I kept telling them that somewhere out there on book shelves, there is a book that encourages athletes to take a rest day. All that comment did was upset them and they picked it up to 35kms on the hills. I rest my case and hope for the best tomorrow. No more smart comments from me. 1 more sleep !
Hey, hey, hey!!!!! Today was an exciting day! Found a dangerous bubble in my tire this morning during the dedication. Jesse Morningstar was our little hero this morning. His dad is captain of team 3. The bubble in my tire had to be fixed and the team was hitting the road. Worked out well since I was scheduled to have a live interview with The Hawk.
I was on the road in no time. So much for a warm up. Twelve crazy cyclist zooming by at 35lms per hour.
My second adventure was at the bottom of a descent when my chain popped off. I tried to shift it back on without stopping for fear of a pile up as I was at the front. No luck! Stopped again and fixed it quickly. For the next 4 kms, I went like never before on the big ring giving it everything I had to catch up to others. I lost the battle when I decided to not run a red light on the main road. End of challenge! I got shuttled forward, as I should have dine in the first place.
Ok, so now forbthe good news . Out entire clothing line for the ride is sponsored by Louis Garneau. We had lunch with him at his business location. He cycled with us to Place Laurier and then, we got the chance to go shooing at his clothing outlet for 40 percent off and no tax…Ola, Ola baby!!
The man is riding a twelve thousand dollar bike with electronic shifters. Each one of us had a chance to cycle in pair with him and learn a little more about him.
Team two missed Josh today. Many times, I wondered if he had gone to school or been permitted to sleep in.
We begin in edmunston tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, we will be in Truro and heading to Antigonish on Wednesday. Have a great night snd pray for good weather firbthevee
Today was all about our brave little hero, whom we knew would be leaving us at the end of the day. Like he said , ” I did not think the end of the day would come so quick. ” No words can be used to describe this kid. The only way one can understand what he brings to people is to actually listen to him speak. Today he accomplished a very important goal. He rode with us! Last year at this time, he was lead to a microphone barely able to stand on his own. This year, his coach, Drew had to ask him to ease up on the hills. “Too much pedal, Josh ” is what I could hear him saying. He is a remarkable boy and tonight both RV s have pictures of Josh posted on the walls to remind us of what we do. Rina Nelson , josh’s mom asked that we use his photos as a reason to get to Halifax. There are photos in both RV to represent his good days and his bad days.
Slept all the way to Trois Riviere. Three more sleeps before we head home to St. Andrews. The team is excited
Goodnight!
This is the photo that accompanied the e mail sent to Jeff Rushton asking for
permission to visit St. Andrews Consolidated on Wednesday the 22nd.
Happy Saturday! Today was an awesome day for all three teams. All crews, bunk trucks and the entire SNKCR convoywas stationed at the local Sears store in Woodstock. The owner of the Sears outlet is Linda Kay, also a 2010 National Rider. Breakfast was out of this world with at least 8 dishes and varieties to choose from.
Two families were present at this mornings dedication; one, a familly who had just recently joined the Coast to coast against cancer foundation ambassador team when they lost their son to cancer. They now use these opportunities help others grow snd to help themselves heal. Thevseconf familly was a mom and two daughters. The youngest daughter was present their on stage today. Suffering from severe headaches and constant vomitting, the child was admitted to Sick Kids Hospital, where she diagnosed with a brain tumor.on took the opportunity this morning to explain in detail what organizations such as coast to coast has done for her daughter and their familly.
Off we went. With an average of 50-60 riders, we traveled to Burlington. Once there, other community riders joined up. We stopped at one other community before setting out forToronto.
Josh Nelson made a speech at out lunch break. With not one dry eye in the parking lot, he stood at the podium alongside his dad snd began to speak. Two years ago, he had asked that the C2C ride for him to help him ride with them. With hid first century rude yesterday, he completed the 130kms with us today. He spoke of what C2C has done for him. He thanked the people who have been there for him. He spoke of his four best buddies from the hospital who were Never given a chance to get out. He broke down as he tried to tell us what made them so special. He ended his speech with, ” Tomorrow my journey ends……” He broke down, the entire audience followed right behind, stood up snd applauded until he was ready to continue . Again, having been able to ride with Josh has been such sn experience already and today meant even more. He is one powerful individual who will certainly pact the lives of the people he touches.
Toronto was wild. There were so many people there. Many of the riders had familly members there to welcome them. Jeff Rushton presented all of the riders with a bracelet or necklace from Camp Trillium. These are made of beads. Each bead signifies a procedure that a child living with cancer can undergo while in treatment. He looked at his 2010 riders and said, ” These beads are being given to you as a reminder of why you are here. When you hurt, when you think that you can’t go on, know that what youvare feeling is nothing compared to what a child goes through during treatment, the side effects and the toll that such a disease takes on a familly.
If I have learned anything over the last 10 days, it’s that there is life after cancer. Kids will fight this, but they can’t do it alone. Also, I have come to realize through personal stories that life after cancer is often more stressful on kids and families than the treatment stage itself. A common statement o get from families is, ” Will my child ever really be cancer free?” Sad, but that is the reality and for a lack of better words, the reality of childhood cancer sucks.
With day 10 gone by, I realize that the homestretch is near. Tomorrow we ride 185kms towards Ottawa. There is an Inside Ride planned for the city of Ottawa tomorrow. Physically, I feel Strong. Team two will say goodbye to Josh tomorrow. It will be difficult, but Josh will move on to bigger, better goals.
A week from today, we arrive in Halifax. I will post time of events for those of you interested in attending or following the events online. Remember, it is never too late to donate. Rider pages are up and changing in totals on a daily basis. Support the cause!
We arrived in Toronto late afternoon. All three teams, all volunteers and over 100 community cyclists. After a few hours of socializing, talking to public and meeting riders families, a rider in particular decided to go out on another mini ride. If nothing else, we had a few laughs and my thoughts were taken away from my own familly and friends. Today, Jeff Rushton announced that he would try his best to ride to Antigonish with us I pumped one arm in the air and team TWO went crazy cheering. 4 more sleeps!
