Jul
8th
Wed
8th
The 2009 SNKCR Team
In June 2009, I will be joining more than 30 other brave cyclists in a ride across Canada to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer research and support programs.
Closing Commnets
Its been almost two weeks since we finished the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, in some ways the ride seems like a lifetime ago. When I reflect back on this journey I am overwhelmed with emotion! The people that we rode with were truly amazing individuals who all shared a passion for making a difference to the lives of children living with cancer. The ride was all about the cause.
The support crew for team #1 was incredible they worked tirelessly to ensure we rode safe ,arrived on time and stayed well. It was great having Bob McCallum and Al Benneto on our team it was like having a little bit of home with you. Our support crew always cheered us on while we rode, when we pulled in for a rest stop and at the end of the day. The national riders in our team became our road family for 12 days. When I went for a ride this past weekend I really missed them, it was an honor to ride with them.
These past few weeks I have been settling into my old normal routine and enjoying spending time with my family, it has been wonderful. I applaud all the individuals that made the SNKCR possible. It is in our hands to keep this journey going until we reach the destination beyond cancer. I would like to thank all the individuals who supported this cause throughout the past 9 months and to all my family and friends who stood behind me and encouraged me on this journey, thank you form the bottom of my heart, I could not have done this without you!!
Jun
25th
Thu
25th
The Last Day: Halifax Here we Come!
The last day #12 it was very unusual to wake up and not be in a Sears Parking lot all three teams had gather at the Sackville sports centre for the night the evening was relaxing and for the first time we slept in a motionless truck all night. We headed towards Halifax all 36 national riders with a police escort to lead the way (we wouldn’t get lost today) The day seemed surreal I can’t believe it was our last day. The site of 36 riders in a perfect formation merging onto the highway was a vision I will not forget. Jeff Rushston had sent us this final leg with an inspirational message. He commended us for all our efforts and congratulated us on making the journey. We stopped at the Halifax Sears story for a reception and we listened to Megan’s story about her experience with cancer she assured us that what we were doing and the money we had raised did make a difference. From there we rode to a children’s hospital in Halifax there were more speeches and for the national riders and volunteers. Then we were off for the final leg to Black rock beach where we would dip the front tire of our bikes in the Atlantic ocean. As we rounded the corner we heard the cheers and the music of bag pipes what an incredible welcome to our final destination my eyes filled with tears I could hardly focus we had all made this coast to coast to coast journey. The slogan for this years ride was “Its in your Hands” the hands of many children had touched our hearts and inspired us to keep pedaling we had extended our hands to many people along the way who supported and welcomed us, and promoted the cause. The hands of all our team mates and volunteers had held us together throughout this journey. It was time to celebrate and reflect on this incredible journey.
In the evening we had a reception and dinner each team shared their stories about what the ride was like for them . These stories will stay with me forever, this ride will continue until we have all arrived at the destination beyond cancer. All of team #1 commented that it would be hard to adjust back to our normal routine and taper our exercise routine back down so we could recover. I am looking forward to going home and seeing my family I really have missed them, I will have to settle back into being at home and not waking up in the parking lot of a Sears store.
