2017 NKCR Blogs

I missed the opportunity to post a blog yesterday – just too much going on, and with no planned shuttle from Winnipeg, no real downtime to do one… We are over one third of the way through our journey, and by the time we stop at the Terry Fox Memorial in Thunder Bay tomorrow, it will be halfway done. So today it’s time to look back on what has happened so far. Going back before the ride, we spent a lot of time training and fundraising, just to get here. Every rider puts in hard time both on the bike and raising funds just to get here. Last week, we began our week flying out to Vancouver, and then a shuttle to Langley for a couple of days of orientation, and our first hosptial visit, BC Childrens. Then it was on to the ride. You can look back over my previous blogs to get an idea of that journey, but to sum it up in a few words, it is a Life Changing Experience. Through the ride, we’re building friendships and “wheel family” that will last a lifetime. And along the way we hear suc...

Today we started off with a some time to talk about why we are here, and a happier story about a childhood cancer survivor. We started off with our crew chief Mark Geene talking about why we are doing this, and the things we need to focus on as we go: Learn, Refocus and Inspire. Learn:  To learn from what we’ve been thorugh so far – we are now 1/3 of the way through our journey, and the teams are coming together. But we need to listen to our team captains, and have a safe ride. Refocus:  Refocus and re-energize. Spend a little bit of time with your eyes closed to remember why we are here. Focus on what has gotten us here, because we care and want to make a difference. Refocus on becoming a team, and a wheel family. Inspire:  So many people follow us on social media and blogs, and see us in the towns where we stop. People see what we are doing and donate. We inspire a nation thorugh our ride. Today we ride for Nicolina, a little girl from Manitoba who was diagnose...

Today we rode for Ty. Ty was a teenager who taught people about many things in his short life. He taught them about courage, bravery, and strength, and about having a gentle nature and a desire to learn. He taught the doctors and staff at Alberta Children’s hospital to think outside the box, and was a miracle several times over as the doctors were constantly amazed with his will and ability to survive. He taught them while he was here, and continues to do so after his passing, through the studies written about him and his cancer. And he taught us to hope that the gold ribbon for childhood cancer would be as readily recognized as the pink ribbon, and that no child should have to suffer the way he did. Our journey today continued across Saskatchewan, and boy was it quick! We spent the majority of our ride on the Trans Canada highway between Swift Current (our overnight location) and Moose Jaw. With a strong wind out of the west, we made great time, averaging over 32 Kph for 177 kilome...

Another day on the road – day 4 of 18. Today we got a bit clear of the smoke but then had to deal with prairie heat. Lesson learned on the shuttle to Lethbridge – it’s _hard_ to paint your fingernails in a moving RV :). Between fingernail paint, and stockings (well full of ice) and soon to be a skirt (well kilt) I think I’m getting in touch with my feminine side. The blue fingernail worn by myself and many of the riders is for my friend Ulana and  in honor of her daugher Taissa who earned her wings in 2001 at 13 years of age. Our dedication today is for Cassy, who also lost her life to cancer just four days after her 13th birthday. Cassy’s bucket list included things any teenage girl would want to do, get her belly button pierced, learn to drive, have a Hawaiian Luau birthday party and visit with family. She was taken from us too soon, and we dedicate today’s ride to her. Today we rode from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat, approximately 170 km, due east. We had a stiff tailwi...

It has been a struggle to write a blog today. It was a day that was both fulfilling, and emotionally very hard for me personally. I cannot give you a specific reason, it’s more likely that just everything that we have learned and the hardships that we see inflicted on the families of children with cancer so far hit me all at once. It’s kind of like a death by a thousand cuts. This stuff really sucks – to see both the hope and the pain on the families that have been left behind honestly has to stop. This is why we are here, and #whyweride. To spread the word and help to ensure that childhood cancer becomes a thing of the past. Fortunately there is a great support network here, and after more than a few hugs and some tears, I feel a little more up to writing this. The morning started early with breakfast in a makeshift square between the vehicles, in the lower parking lot at Lake Louise. Definitely enough noise to keep the bears away    After breakfast we shuttled up t...

First the good news – no mechanical issues today. I got through the 171km ride without a hitch!  Here’s to keeping that up. Today’s was my longest ride ever (at least for one day…) and it was the first night in the bunk trucks. No issues there, but I did manage to lose part of my bedding over the edge during the night  An early start this morning, 5am up, 5:30 breakfast. The folks at Cora’s in Kamloops were fantastic, and the breakfast was just the right thing to start our day. Next came our daily circle and dedication. Today, National Rider Chuck Magnus read a story about Alexander, and again the tears were flowing. Alexander was courageous, strong, determined, kind, thoughtful, sweet and fun. At two years old, he exemplified traits that a grown man could only expire to have. When he was two, he contracted the H1N1 virus, and if that was not bad enough, the flu weakend him enough to show deeper problems. Alexander was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor (abundant neuro...