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Where Are They? »
- Group 1: Carlyle - The Lion's Park
- Group 2: Brandon (NYF)
- Group 3: Winnipeg - Polo Park
Schedule »
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* Gray Boxes Indicate Ride Along |
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Group 1 |
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7:00 AM |
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11:30 AM |
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2:50 PM |
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5:10 PM |
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Group 2 |
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3:00 AM |
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10:15 AM |
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5:00 PM |
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Group 3 |
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5:00 AM |
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8:30 AM |
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12:30 PM |
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2:00 PM |
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3:20 PM |
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6:00 PM |
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Rider Blogs »
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Day 4: June 16
Register for a Ride Along Event
Redvers, Saskatchewan Event
St. Claude to Winnipeg
The motivated “Manitoba Peleton” did the distance from St. Claude to Winnipeg (75 km) today. Led by Chris, father of Nathan, one of our ambassador families, braved gusting 80km heads winds, cramps and with 10 other Ride-Along riders, was cheered over the “finish line” in Winnipeg by son Nathan. Chris personally raised $2,500 for the cause. All in all, a heroic and moving experience for all of us.
On the Road with Roger Gallant
Welcome to Winnipeg
Welcome to Regina
Regina to Carlyle
Report from the Road: Lynne Jenkins
Brandon to Winnipeg
Sears Brandon
Lovely hot meal and warm toilet seats!
Dedication this morning was done by Beth Stutman, National Rider on behalf of Beth's sister Beverley who has survived lung and endometrion cancer, and is now cancer free. Riding into St. Claude we came upon Damian Brown's friend Joe Woodcock, who is walking from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland!
St. Claude
WOW! what a welcome, tons of school kids waving the National Riders into town. They had made posters and were waving them at us all. The kids are from St. Claude's Public School, along with their teachers Serge Millette and Jim Partaker
Lorraine and Rene Philippot, owners of the store Philippot Shop Easy Foods, hosted this wonderful community event.
There are about 8 ride along riders, who will ride with the National Riders into Winnipeg.
There were two retired Acadia professors at this event, who were leaving St.Claude to continue their journey across the country, unsupported. Apparently, these two retired gentlemen were driving their wives nuts, so they told their husbands to get out and exercise!
Winnipeg
We were escorted in with police cars and police cyclists... we had pretty much the whole road, it was amazing.
Police officers were Rob York, Gerry Lariviele, Brian Barker.
Sears manager Frank Rossi, very pleased to be hosting this event, and it was huge. Donation of $6000 raised so far.
New York Fries manager Joycelyn Agustin was on hand to help raise funds with their spin the wheel. Last year they raised $15,000 for the foundation. This June 18 they are having a $1 from every order goes to the foundation. Dr. Israel spoke and informed us of where the funds that the foundation gave to them went this year, to a project called 'After Care Clinic', this clinic supports cancer patients up to 30 years old after their chemo treatments. They have national initiatives for this program. Dr. Grundy spoke, he's the Chair of the research network.
Merissa was there to greet us again this year. She is now 16 and doing well. Carol, the woman responsible for the food, did a super job (see her pic in the food stand - short blonde hair)
On the Road with Lynne Jenkins
Other Pictures
A Poem from Rider Laurie Vanderhaegue
A good sentiment for the ride.
As I lay in rest the night before our ride, I put this poem together in honour of my friend Sharon Carr (the poet of poets).
Find our rhythym. Find our pace. This is a ride, not a race.
It about the kids and what they go through, It’s not about me. It’s not about you!
So let’s have some laughs and maybe a cry. Pedal across this land and bid cancer goodbye.
From Jenn Davies - Volunteer from Ride Along Group 1
Hey Friends
Sounds like great days all around.
Ride along team 1, Mike and I and Doug had the pleasure today of "dropping in by surprise " on Group 2 today in rural Saskatchewan. A little town called Redvers...we hadn't seen group 2 since Vancouver.
We rolled in to Redvers thinking we were ahead of the team. Drove down the street and there was no one around. Drove up to the tiny Sears store and there was no one around. The store was closed.....this didn't look good.
But wait....there's a little 8 x 10 sign on the door that says "store closed due to Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. Come down to the camp ground to meet us there"
So we do.
And we drive in to see what looks like the whole town gathered on bleachers. School kids cheering and asking for autographs. Picnic tables and a BBQ. A giant hand print banner made by kids there. Lots of hugs and tears.
That little tiny Sears store and the folks who live in that town welcomed and embraced the national riders and the cause.
Team 2 stood tall and embraced them back.
A community came together. They rallied around a cause and took it into there own hands to make a difference.
Mike and I were lucky enough to get on our bikes and ride out with team 2. Slapping high fives to school kids as we did. We rode 42 kms with a team that had made a break through today.
Like teams one and three, someone else threw them together and called them a team. Now they are doing the work of building a team both on and off the bikes.
We saw team members, both riders and crew taking turns working, sheltering those who needed sheltering from the wicked wind, complimenting each other, teaching each other and reaching out to each other for support in their struggles and frustration. We saw a good bit of laughing and a few tears.
I get a sense today from emails and talk amongst the teams and command central both live and digitally, that all of you are beginning to gel.
You are doing a great thing. So honoured to be able to share the experience with you and to be able to ride with you a little bit
Congratulations on the ending day four in a successful way. Thank you for all that you are doing.
Jenn Davies
From Michael Sharpe - Volunteer from Group 1
Hello All;
Just a brief update for you as Team #1 leaves Montmartre, SK.
As Jenn and Mike saw this a.m., Al Davies and I conduct a team and crew meeting every morning. Today's emphasis was on ambassadorship as well as roles & responsibilities. They are brief and to the point, an info session not an open forum.
Team #1 has developed cohesion between Volunteers and Riders to an extent I have never witnessed before. Everyone understands the importance of maintaining schedule but also, taking the time in every community to thank and acknowledge the efforts of its citizens.
The Volunteers are always on hand to aid in ANY task (you should see how clean our vehicles are!) and accept my direction regarding, sleep, driver rotation, and they are all well rested and smiling.
The Riders have developed the group mentality regarding road safety, staying together and listening to the follow vehicle's instructions. They are becoming a well oiled machine that gives me confidence before we enter Northern Ontario.
Every member of the Crew texts me with all their actions from "Laundry done" to "Arrived at destination going to sleep". I requested this communication from the beginning and everyone is compling which allows me to operate at peak performance.
We travel as a convoy at night, with myself in the lead and all arrive together, bathroom break together and do our best to ensure the Riders stay sleeping in the RV's. I will switch to the sweep position when we move through Ontario at night to ensure we do not have any trouble if the cell coverage weakens. Bob Rader does the day driving while I multi-task (Holy Media Batman!) and sleeps at night. I am sleeping in between rest stops to ensure my own vitality and capability to lead this section of our mission.
Today's first stop in Montmartre saw a small town community come out in full force. Every school child was brought out to greet the Riders, Ken Cross spoke to all of them and they were given a tour of the bunk truck (also spotless!). I gave our mission statement and accepted over $700.00 in donations from the high school fundraising efforts. Lorraine who runs the Sears was almost overwhlemed by the attention, EVERYONE gave praise for her efforts and the whole town gave her standing ovation. The RCMP met the Riders 20km outside the city limits and are now escorting them halfway to Kipling. There are some AMAZING photos coming.
Just wanted to share some good news and relay how proud I am to be a part of this. All of you have done an outstanding job preparing for this, my thanks.
Nap time..
Ambassador Child Madelyn Wingfield at Sears, Polo Park Shopping Centre
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