Recap of my journey to come

As the song goes [Leaving on an a jet plane] all my bags are packed and I’m ready to go. I’ve been so stoked that I actually had them packed for over a week. Yeah I know I have a little type “A” personality in me. And a smattering of “B”, “C” and possibly “D” ;)

I think the preparedness trait in me comes from an upbringing with a certain parent [dear old dad] who has a strong work ethic and was for ever late when coming home to take my brother and I somewhere; never leave a job undone and never do something half-a$$ed. Yeah he’s my hero and a hard act to follow, and I do my best to emulate him [except for the late thing].

My steed [a.k.a. bike] is patiently in its case somewhere on Vancouver BC along with my spare wheels and parts that I shipped a week or so ago on the transport trucks that will become our homes for the next 15 days. 

Yes you read it correctly, I will be sleeping in a pimped out tractor trailer. Ok, not so pimped out but it will have bunk beds in it! And yes we only sleep in there when it isnot moving. 

As of September 9th our days will transform into a highly scheduled orchestra of cycling, community events to support and promote the awareness of children’s cancer, more cycling, a lot of eating [we each burn around 6000 calories a day] and as much resting/sleeping as we can squeeze in. Sort of a travelling circus! Hey every kid wants to be in the circus don’t they?

Sounds like an all-inclusive vacation right? Well it certainly is not for the faint of heart but 43 other riders and 50 volunteer crew will make this journey to a destination beyond cancer. It may not happen immediately but we will do our part to make it happen none-the-less. And I could not think of a better way to spend my time.

There are 3 teams of 14 or so cyclist, I’m in team 1 and will be riding the following portions of our trans-Canada journey. 

• White Rock BC to Hope BC
• Princeton BC to Kelowna BC
• Lake Louise AB to Calgary AB
• Swift Current AB to Moosejaw AB
• Redvers MB to Brandon MB
• Sioux Rivers SK to Fort Francis ON
• Thunderbay ON to Nipigon ON
• Lake Superior PP ON to Sioux St Marie ON
• Tobermory ON to Collingwood ON
• Woodstock ON to Toronto ON
• Pickering ON to Belleville ON
• Montreal QC to Trois Riveres QC
• Rivere du Loop QC to Edmunston NB
• St John NB to Moncton NB
• Truro NS to Hallifax NS

Along the way I promised myself that I would soak in everything I can: the scenery, the companionship, the stories of the children and their families that we meet along the way. Knowing full well that it is the later that will leave the most lasting of memories. 

My promise to you is that I will share all of this with you. Free of charge, all you have to do is have an open mind to take it in.  Each morning I’ll be posting [with the help of some technical wizardry] the route that I will be doing that day. And each night I will do my best to recap and share the days experiences.

See you on the road.

an·tic·i·pa·tion

an·tic·i·pa·tion [ Pronounced: an-tis-uh-pey-shuhn]

1. the act of anticipating or the state of being anticipated.

2. realization in advance; foretaste.

3. expectation or hope.

The dictionary’s definition of anticipation is somewhat in line with what I am feeling now. Where we differ is that part of what is yet to come is somewhat unknown yet anticipated, maybe that is what makes this feeling so intense.

My sense of anticipation started climbing as we began to count down the days in terms of single digits. As of this morning it is 8 days until we leave Vancouver and head across Canada. It’s a long way from the 300+ days the count down timer showed when I decided to take on this adventure.

I’ve found it hard to sleep the last few nights, waking often to check my surroundings as if I had waken from a dream and was unsure if I was in my own bed or in the tractor trailer that we will bunk in during the ride.

Despite the interrupted sleep I’m beginning to feel recharged again, and am greatly appreciating being in the taper stage of my training. The months of training was starting to show it’s signs of wear and tear on me both physically and mentally; the sense of feeling drained at the end of the weekend and a little irritable at times has passed. In its place is a mixed sense of calm and anticipation.

An odd mix of emotions given I know the hardest part of the journey is yet to come. But what would the point of a journey be if there wasn’t a little challenge involved!

http://pauloharahoke.snkcr.com/

Route

I started going through the route that Team 1 (the team I am on) will go through while cycling across Canada and am in awe.

A few weeks ago our team leader mapped out the route using MapMyRide.Com, which allows you to view the elevation and route. It also allows you to do a “flyby” showing satellite pictures of the roads and terrain as if you are flying above it in a plan.

It was the flyby that gave me the sense of awe. I’ve only gone as far as day 2 with the flyby. We ride from Princeton BC to Kelowna BC along beautiful rivers and lakes and start winding ourselves up into the lower portions of the mountains.

As I watched the route play I started to get butterfly’s in my stomach; nearly a years worth of training and preparation and things are starting to set in. This is really going to happen. And I am so ready for the adventure that awaits.

Tour For Kids 2010

Even after completing my 4th T4K I’m feeling the withdrawal.

The “tour” is like a drug; and draws you in with the hopes of reaching out to others and giving them a helping hand.

Some may start taking the “tour” as a means of improving their physical well being or as a means of paying respect to those that have affected our lives [for the better].

Once taken the “tour” is addictive as it surges through you, changing your perceptions of the world around you for the better. Some would say it makes you stronger, better for the experience; the image of strength comes from completing a physically and mentally challenging 4 days with aplomb.

It’s side affects are many and require no consultation with your family M.D.; a greater sense of purpose, pride in ones achievements, clarity on what is important in life,
memories that last a lifetime and the friends to go with it.

Withdrawal from the “tour” is not fatal but the presence of the “tour” never quite leaves you and you will find yourself feeling it’s pull again and again. Each spring whispers of “come ride somewhere meaningful” ebb into your deepest most peaceful sleep.

“Pay it forward”, “Ride it forward”, what ever you call it you get the chance to put a little “Amazing” into the lives of so many kids and their families at a time when they can use it the most.

To our sponsors and my team mates on Team Amazing Amelia, Thanks for everything!

The Night Before T4K

Well it’s just one more sleep and then our annual Tour For Kids event kicks off. With around 500 cyclists this should be a spectacular time. This year I am marshalling. This year we have 17 Amazing Amelia riders so watch for us decked out in team kit. We look sweet! Talk at you tomorrow.