Day One – The Ride to Conquer Cancer

Bleary eyed, I arrived at the exhibition centre, dropped off my gear, and got some breakfast. I learned right away that vegetarian means you get breads and grains. I can’t have that so I shrugged it off and ate what would keep me strong for the next two days, bacon and bananas – breakfast of the champions. I know that coffee dehydrates but I was worried about those migraines I get when I don’t have coffee so I had a cup and two extra cups of water to be safe.

They gave us all event cycling jerseys to wear on day one. To see over 2,500 people all in a sea of yellow was overwhelming for me. All those people working towards the same goal. I could not stop crying. The speeches got to me, as they were meant to, but when They brought out 6 people escorting the riderless bike, it hit home hard.

There were 3 ladies holding a hand lettered sign that said “Go Treehuggers”, I thanked them for looking out for us Californians and asked them to snap my very first photo where I was brave enough to let you all see me in full spandex. Oy. They weren’t cheering on the Californians, they had a team named Tree Huggers, go figure.

Day Zero – The Ride to Conquer Cancer

OMG, I mean OMG. I’ve never seen anything like this. In fact, I think I’ll just post photos of the lines and exhibition hall.

I arrived about an hour early, waited in a long line then rounded the corner to this:

The process took about 2 hours, was very smooth and pleasant, going from one station to another, picking up what I would need along the way and getting all my questions answered. WIth me, there is no safety in answering a question, it just means that one more will follow. Packet in hand, it was time to leave.

Richard and I went to dinner where I would ask more questions about the area. Will there be any hills, I repeatedly wanted to know. Silly question, its 200K, of course there will be hills.

On the way to The Ride to Conquer Cancer

I signed up for this ride because I am firmly of the belief that cancer does not stop at the US/Canada border. The cause is near and dear to my heart, but this event more so because it does not focus on one exclusive form of cancer – it doesn’t single out the trendy cause or the plight of the moment. The Princess Margaret Hospital is an all cancer facility, with departments or whole floors that specialize in one type or another. Something like this may have helped my father-in-law, who in his 70s passed of a pediatric cancer because no one knew how to handle it. I don’t know, but I’d like to think so.

The extra benefit of the event is the one that has me very excited to be on the plane today. I will finally get to see parts of a country I love and am thinking of expanding my business to.Cycling from Toronto to Niagara will certainly allow me to see a beautiful place and maybe let me know a little more about Ontario.

I’ve hit some snags in the transportation from the city to the event and back again. I think things have been ironed out but we’ll see. It turned out to be a good diversion yesterday, allowing me to go into “Manager Mode” and not stress too much about the event. I had thought that I would be going to the event with Richard and tossing my gear into his truck. Not only am I not doing that but I should have wondered how I was going to get back because he is leaving Niagara earlier than I am and I knew that! No worries, but because I am cycling to the event from the hotel I’m limited on what I can carry as I ride. I’ll have my sleeping bag inside a back pack with whatever clothes may fit. I had to leave my blanket and ground mat at home – we’ll see how I fair the second day. I’m not too worried, it just may give me a few good stories to tell and a badge of honour to go with it.

A not too minor concern is the food/drink powder I’ve packed. As a diabetic who is so far staying off the insulin, I can not afford to reply on the SAG stops for my meals and as anyone knows, your food is your fuel. I’m hoping that all those little bags of powder, nuts and cliff bars will fit in the pack. I’ve done a ride without and walked 17 miles because I bonked. I will make it fit. Lawrd knows, I am NOT tossing the sleeping bag too!  Oh, and to top it off, it’s “that time” – I’m thinking of stuffing the pads into my bra for storage. Who knows, I might make a few friends

Oh Canada! Or how I prepared for The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

I often travel to Canada for my business, but this time I went to enjoy a BNI Conference (scored a copy of Dr. Ivan Misner’s yet-to-hit-the-stands book, 29% Solution, thank you very much) in Toronto, and ride with Richard, my Canadian riding partner for the upcoming event.

Richard suggested I leave the downtown hotel once the conference was over and bring myself and the bike over to his side of town. I really didn’t want to move all my stuff but it seemed like a better place to be in terms of smooth operations and such. And you know me, I’m all about the schedule.

Tottenham turned out to be the cutest place in the world with great roads to cycle. On day one we pulled my bike (Trek WSD 1.2) out of the B I G iron case and popped it all together. It was easier than I thought it would be, but I am sure that is because Richard did it for me. After a bit of that, we left the drive and started on our way…. as did the rain drops.

We rode a little less than 2 miles up the road and hit our first hill. It wasn’t Encinal Canyon but it took a little effort. I have to say, hitting a hill with a 2 mile warm up isn’t my favorite thing to do. I used to hear people say “It takes me about 8 miles to really warm up” and I thought, “gee, after 8 miles, I’d rather be in the car” but things are a little different now. The next hill was a bit more difficult which I stormed at a whopping 4 miles an hour. Richard told me those were the hardest hills of the route and I was a little stunned that was all and maybe relieved.

The silly thing is the bike I brought to Canada has a cyclometer set in miles but the one in Los Angeles, is in kilometers. I actually like it that way, because doing the math conversion keeps me busy and I don’t notice other things like being tired on the climbs so much (I still notice).

At this point, the rain was coming down pretty hard and it was getting hard to see. I had already ridden into the dirt shoulder twice and had to stop. It didn’t seem like I would be able to make my way through much more without cycling into a building or off the road. We decided to return and did an honourable 10 miles, knowing that the next day would have better weather.

Day two was planned for 60 km (37 miles). Richard seemed worried about a distance like that for me. I told him he might be right to worry but if I don’t get off my butt for 60 km then I won’t be able to handle next week’s Crusin’ the Conejo at 68 miles (109.5 km). This lazy girl needs to get in gear. Speaking of gears, the chain on this bike is <I>still</I> giving me trouble.

So if you thought I was unhappy about Saturday’s hills with little or no warm up at less than 2 miles, you should have seen me on Sunday when we clipped in and went right to a hill! This day was a group ride with just a hand full of people – 5 including myself – who would be doing the June Toronto to Niagara event with me.

We tackled one hill after another, no flats between but some low grade false flats. Richard and another rider took off like jack rabbits and I was pacing with the other two. One woman had only had her bike out last week since the summer and the man there hadn’t ridden since he was 14, but his father died of lung cancer this past January and he was determined to be a part of this – really touched my heart.

By the time we were about 4 miles in of these hills – oh, did I mention the winds? – I stopped to fumble with something and noticed they were stopping to walk a hill. On the next downhill the winds were so fierce that I could not ride straight into them and was forced into a zigzag. I could not believe that I was doing 7 mph downhill! I told my two riding partners that this was silly and I would ride another mile with them and then turn back to the cars where the hills were more rollers with lesser winds and I could get my miles in.

Not only did they agree, but Richard and his partner had come back, listened to my game plan and did the same. We rode down the road, it was quite an ego boost to the other two who had thought they bit off more than they could chew.  They were able to look back, see what they did and continue on for a bit more cycling. However,  I am not sure what happened after that. We didn’t do much more and then Richard pulled us back to the cars. I am guessing all told, we did about 15 miles that day.

I am flying back today, out of two for two more days without my bike then in meetings aaaallllll of Thursday. Friday is a half day then I leave for the Saturday event. My only hope is that the next hotel has a gym with an indoor trainer. Otherwise I am just a wee bit worried about Crusin’ the Conejo. But you know me, I love a good stress filled week!

100 Rider spots left!

If you are still thinking joining our Team US Cares (password Kickbutt) for the The Ride to Conquer Cancer, Benefiting The Princess Margaret, June 2008, now is the time to get registered! There are only 100 spots left and Rider registration will close soon.

Ride Guides are standing by to help register any of your friends, co-workers and family members. Call today at (416) 815-RIDE(7433) or register online at: http://conquercancer.ca.

Let’s be clear. You don’t have to be rich to participate in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. And you don’t have to be an athlete. Whether you’re 25 or 75, a fitness freak or couch potato, a banker or barista, you can absolutely do this.

The funds you raise will support critical, breakthrough cancer research at The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research hospitals in the world.

200 km or Donate – which do you choose?

I’ve made a personal commitment over the next five years to don my helmet and cycle to raise funds for cancer cures. To date, I’ve raised $3,478 and my family as a whole as raised $10, 478! We need to keep working together to conquer cancer for those struggling right now and for those yet to be diagnosed. To accomplish this I’ll be cycling The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital is a cycling journey from Toronto to Niagara Falls – a distance of over 200 km – that I’m embarking on to fight cancer. It will be a challenge in a number of ways, but with my bike, my helmet, and your generosity, a real impact will be made!

I’m asking my supporters to please make a donation of $218; one dollar for every kilometer I am committed to riding and eighteen for life! Of course any contribution is welcome as you support and generate the all-important funds for research, which will be allocated based on the highest cancer research priorities at The Princess Margaret and OCI. Click here to DONATE

I’m a firm believer that cancer does not stop at the U.S./Canada border. Because of that I’ve created Team US Cares to participate in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. The event is not just for athletes or cycling enthusiasts. It’s the ride for anyone who wants to challenge themselves for a great cause. All you need is motivation, a bike, and a helmet. The rest is history. To be a part of it and join Team US Cares, click here. (Team Password: kickbutt)

Go Rae Go!

We need YOUR help in making a difference. Like all of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives.

Each one of us going to Solvang has a fundraising commitment. The event is less than 2 weeks away and Rachael is $1,800 short of her commitment. Since she stopped working on Saturday’s to be sure she had time for training, she has lost income and now the job, so there is no way for her to make this up before March 8th, the day of the Solvang Century ride.

After 5 months of training it hardly seems right not to help her raise money for all individuals who are battling blood cancers.

Please click to help her and others cross the finish line against this terrible disease.

Here’s My Ride

2007 marked the return of cycling in my life and becoming an endurance athlete, which is a very nice way of saying I park my ass on a bike and pedal long distances on purpose. I don’t do this because I think this is the best way to travel long distances (it lacks a driver and room service), I do it because I believe that in my own way, I can make a difference by fundraising to support various cancer related causes.

My Commitment Grows

It’s been an eye opening week.

We lost someone that we met through our BNI business group, Phyllis Kaufman. Some time ago, she took a medical leave, and when asked how can we help, she responded that all she really wanted was a call now and then and to be in touch.

Biking towards a cure

My fundraising and training took a hit by my detour to care for my brother, but not my commitment to the cause.

Jack is not only off life support now but we’re looking at moving him to the US where they have different quality of physical therapy and he can recover. This means that I will once again have my weekend’s in a country where people bike, or at least in a country where the rain doesn’t pour down every half hour and flood the streets. Just in time, too – the new training season for Solvang starts on Oct 16th.

My goal is still to raise $5018 (remember that extra eighteen for life!) and I know I can do it with your help. But since I lost $1200 due to the rsvp that TNT placed for me regarding plane and hotel bookings, we’re going to have to work just a little harder.

I promise to get my butt on that bike and cycle for the cure, and then some. Please help support me and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by donating today.