Tim Klassen

How do you spell success? 60 B4 60!!!!!

Hello Blogland:

After a few weeks away I am back with another post.

I just want to let everyone out there know how fortunate I have been to be at a point where I can say I have reached my fundraising goal. Okay, in reality it is my “new / second” fundraising goal.

When I was first accepted as a 2009 National Rider my biggest challenge was thinking about whether or not I would be able to reach the expected fundraising goal of $25,000.00 for each of the riders. I recall saying I could not be certain that I could reach it, and yet I would do my best.

Well, thanks to my family and to my many friends and supporters I had surpassed (and doubled) the expected goal before the ride started. At that time I had raised over $50,000.00, and so my next goal was “60 before 60”. This, in reality meant that I was trying to hit the $60,000.00 mark before my 60th birthday on August 9th.

I am happy to say that I did it. More accurately WE did it; because it was an effort that was successful thanks to all my friends, family and co-workers. I hit the goal on my actual birthday.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!

Reflections and Learnings from SNKCR 2009

Hello Blog Land:

It has now been a week and a day since we completed our incredible journey in Halifax. Eight days in which to return home; connect and re-connect with friends and family; settle back into a routine that was life before the training started; return to work; and, to reflect on what has happened to us as a result of being involved in such an epic adventure.

Throughout this whole experience, and through the blogs, I have attempted to share a piece of what my experience has been so that you, the reader, could be a part of this with me. Now as I reflect on the experience and try to glean what I have learned from it, I again am going to take the liberty of sharing this with you. I believe the most dramatic reflection I have is that I was part of something much bigger than any one person; it was synergy at its best. The “whole” was certainly bigger (and better) than the sum of the parts; and there were many parts to this event. I believe I am blessed to have been one small part of this experience, and I trust that I have “given” as much as I have “recieved” as a result of the Ride.

So, what have I ‘learned’ from this? In reflecting on this question, I believe there are five major things I have learned, or had reinforced for me.

1. It is NOT about the Ride; it IS about the Cause: I started on this journey in November when I committed myself to a strict training plan that I thought would prepare me to complete the Ride in a healthy and smart way. I put in the hours on the wind trainer all during the winter and endured (and sometimes even enjoyed) the miserable late-winter and early-spring rides outdoors. I convinced myself that I could and would do the Ride. I was ready! And then the group went to an event at the B.C. Children’s Hospital and I met Gage, and was overwhelmed by what he and his mom were dealing with, what he had overcome in his short four years, and what lay ahead for him, and I began to realize this was not about me riding my bike across the country. Rather it was about raising awareness and money so that we could reach our Destination - Beyond Cancer. So that Gage (and all the other Gages) could keep playing and not have to “go in for blood work/tests”.
2. Life (and the Ride) is about Contrast and Balance: Our ride took us from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean; from sunshine and clear skies to rain, fog and cloudy skies; from mountains to prairies to rocky outcroppings and forests; from the Gage’s of the world to the Sidney’s of the world; from kids getting better to kids being better. I realized that one of these contrast without the other is less meaningful on its own than when set against the other. This is the same with life. Good times are good in relation to the times that are not so good, and to have a full and meaningful life we really need both the contrasts and the balance.
3. We must do what we are capable of doing: Randy Pausch, in his book “The Last Lecture” states, “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” Being a National Rider in the 2009 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride was something I could do. I cannot find a cure for cancer; I can ride a bike. I cannot provide much needed treatment for the 10,000 kids and their families living with this disease in Canada; I can raise money to assist. I no more asked to have a full, happy, and healthy life than these kids asked for cancer. And yet I do have this life and so I must, as we all must, choose to play the cards I was dealt in a meaningful way. I certainly saw how some of the kids and the parents I met during the ride were “playing their cards” and they were not asking to change them. I challenge each of you to consider this next time things may not be “going your way” and you begin to wish for a “new/different hand of cards”.
4. It is membership over leadership to make a real team: I was fortunate to meet and ride with a phenomenal group of folks from across this country. We were “assigned” to be “Team Three” and so I made a decision that for me (and I certainly hoped for the others as well) Team 3 was the place to be! This became our motto and our theme and this really helped us come together as a team. To see a dozen people (riders), and another dozen or so crew, many of whom were not known to one another before we arrived in Vancouver, move from being a collection of individuals, to a group, to a team, was so satisfying for me. As the one appointed (and not chosen by the individuals involved) to be the “team lead”, I made a point of involving everyone and making a committment to membership. I believe this is another of the ‘learnings’ that has a valuable place in our everyday lives. When we can focus on what it means to be a member then the whole issue of who is the leader becomes secondary, and this makes for a satisfying experience for all.
5. Training is everything: As I trained for this ride, I really thought I was preparing myself to be a successful ‘rider’ and, no doubt, this paid off for me. I certainly put in the time and the mileage on the bike. In reflecting back on the whole event, I see that the training I did was not only the “physical” training of bike riding; it was so much more. The actual Ride was far easier than the training rides that were done. However, it was the training rides that allowed me to experience hours and hours of riding in cold rain and/or high winds. The training rides allowed me to share my experiences with other riders and provide whatever support and direction I could. The training rides proved to me there was no hill high enough or no wind strong enough to stop what we set out to do. It was through the training that I re-learned the fact that nothing is as hard, or as easy, as it first appears. All of this I got from the training and I was then, in hindsight, able to apply it on the ride. Life does not come with an instruction manual, and so we must ‘train’ ourselves to be ready for anything, because we never know what we will need to do, or when we will be called on to perform.

Well, Blog Land, with this I bid you good bye and wish you all the very best. If the sharing of my journey has in some way touched you to make a difference in the lives of the 10,000 children and their families in Canada living with cancer, then I am pleased and I count this as a success.

At the start of this, I committed to raising $25,000.00 to help the cause. I have been able to surpass that amount thanks to the very generous support of friends and family. As I write this, I am at $57,700 - just $2,300 shy of the magical $60,000.   So, I have re-set my goal. I am now committed to raising $60,000.00 before my 60th birthday on August 9th - $1,000 for each of my 60 years. If this is an inspiration to you, I ask that you take up the challenge and make a donation (or another donation) to help me help the kids.  Remember that donations of $20 or more will receive tax receipts, and that 100% goes directly to the cause.

Thanks for your readership and support during the past seven months. I remain committed to reaching our Destination - Beyond Cancer!

Day 12 - Halifax

Hello Blog Land: As I write this blog I am on my way back to Toronto - not on my bike; rather on a WestJet flight. The National Ride for 2009 is complete and by all measures it has been a success! More on this later; first the last day of the ride. All 36 riders and all crew were overnight in Lower Sackville and we awoke to a cool, foggy morning. The rain that had fallen during the night had stopped which was a nice thing. The crew from New York Fries cooked everyone a great breakfast including French Toast. As well, all three teams emptied out their trucks and RVs and so there was a huge selection and variety of food to eat. Once breakfast was over the first order of the day was to get all the vehicles cleaned (and re-pack bags, etc) in preparation for our trip into Halifax and unloading at the hotel. We only had about a 30 km ride so our departure was not until after 10:00 - what a treat! We left Lower Sackville with all 36 National Rider and a few ‘extras’ as there were some ride along riders and some sponsor riders who joined us for the last day. We were accompanied by a police escort that consisted of two police cars (well 1 was an SUV) and 4 motorcycles. To tell you the truth, I am not sure who was having more fun: the motorcycle cops or the National Riders! It was a blast as we formed a convoy and headed to Halifax, at times riding down a major provincial highway. The police sergeant in charge of the convoy was very clear and explicit in his direction to the riders. “We are under strict orders that we cannot block intersections or run red lights. We must obey all the traffic signals as we will be using some busy and important roads in Halifax”. With that we set off and proceeded through most stop signs and red light, stopped traffic that had the right-of-way, and had the motorcycles buzzing up and down the on-coming lane of traffic with lights flashing and sirens blaring. What a thrill! First stop was Sears where the local store manager and associates were out in full force to welcome (and feed) us. As a bonus there was a Tim Hortons’ van (fully loaded with donuts, coffee, cookies, and Tim Bits) with us at every stop this day. I think Gord D. may have had a hand in this. Thanks Gord! We left the Sears store, with the full convoy and headed to the IWK (childrens’ hospital) where a huge surprise awaited me. When we pulled up at the IWK, I parked my bike and was heading into the event that was planned when suddenly I looked up to see Anne (the love of my life) Sauve there and just in front of her, running towards me was Carlyn, our 4-year old grand daughter! WOW! Right behind Carlyn and Anne was Shawna and her youngest daughter Alyssa. Was I surprised! This was truly a wonderful ‘early birthday present’ for me. Unknown to me (and, as it turns out known to lots of others) Anne and Shawna (my daughter) had schemed and planned this all along. They arranged to have Shawna and the two girls - Carlyn and Alyssa fly out to Halifax with Anne. I knew Anne would be there and I was looking for her. Never in my wildest dreams had I considered that Shawna and the girls would also be there. What a great way to end the ride and provide a real surprise as well. You guys are the Best!!! After this thrill, the rest of the ride was anti climactic. As the riders left the IWK and headed for Point Pleasant Park, all I could think of was how my family would make their way - on foot - to the beach and would they find us in the Park? As it turned out the ‘wheel-dip’ event was largely ceremonial in nature and while Anne, Shawna, and the girls did not get there in time to see us dip our wheels, the 2009 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride came to an end. Twelve days and over 7000 kms since we dipped our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean, we all dipped our front wheels in the Atlantic Ocean. In between these two points we had stopped at, and touched, 163 communities across the country, raising awareness of childhood cancer and raising much needed funds to support the treatment programs and research programs being conducted in the 17 pediatric oncology centres in Canada. With money still coming in and being counted, this year’s ride will raise well over one million dollars. Following the wheel-dip, we headed to the hotel to re-pack the bikes, get cleaned up and settled in before our evening meal and celebration. I managed to find some space on an RV for Anne and the girls so they could be at the hotel about the same time as the riders. That nights, after dinner, each team of riders and the ride along teams had an opportunity to share their collective and individual thoughts and reflections of the journey with the assembled group - other riders, crew, family and friends - that were there to support and cheer this great accomplishment. At the end of the presentations all riders and volunteers were presented with a medal commemorating this year’s ride. Along with the medal was a photograph that showed the start in Vancouver and the end in Halifax. While this year’s ride is now complete, the journey continues, and will continue until we reach our Destination - Beyond Cancer. As I now make my way back home to re-establish my life and routines that were there before, I want to thank all of you for your support and for following my journey through this blog. Without you, this would have not been the experience it was. As Margaret Meade said, it takes a small group of committed individuals to change the world, and you are all part of such a group. With your help I have raised almost $60,000 - almost one dollar for each of my 60 years and I am going to continue to try and reach the $60,000 mark before my actual birthday on August 9th. If you or any of your friends and family can help I, and all the 10,000 children and their families living with cancer will appreciate this. This is a reality I have seen in the faces of the children and parents I met as I crossed the country. Your contribution will make a difference! It’s in your hands!

Day 11 - and it feels like Heaven

Hello Blog Land: Well, this posting is coming to you from a parking lot in Lower Sackville, NS - less than 50 km from Halifax and the end of this incredible journey. With half a day’s riding we will be ‘wheel dipping’ again to signify the end of the 2009 Coast to Coast Against Cancer National Ride. However, more about that tomorrow. Today was one of those magical days on the bike. The Team clicked, the pedal strokes were sure, strong, and sweet, and the rain stopped by noon allowing the clouds to part and the sun to shine. We started our day with a great breakfast provided by the staff of the Sears Store in New Glascow, NS. Although our drive to get there was done in rain and fog, and despite the fact it was raining when we awoke, all of were quickly warmed and deeply touched when we met 5-year old Sydney, a wonderful, energetic, and beautiful cancer survivor. Sydney and her mom and dad joined us for breakfast and the her dad, Steve, shared their story with us; a story of courage, faith, and the power of medical research and changes in treatment protocol that has allowed Sydney to not only be with us at breakfast; it also allowed her to be concerned that she ‘not miss school’ today. Two years ago she was in a situation where just seeing the next day was a worry for the family. Today we rode for Sydney. I was able to tell her that not only did my grand-daughter share her name (Carlyn Sidney), I too had the same name in my name. This was a pretty cool connection. Following the dedication Team Three headed out in the rain and with a police escort. Within 10 km of our departure we came to Mount Thom, an eight kilometer climb. The Team was not only up to this challenge, they “loft at the hiil, and then they crushed it” (to quote our resident philosopher, David Morland). The climb was a thing of beauty. The Team rode together and strongly to the top. What a difference a day or two can make! By the time we were at the top, the rain was subsiding and the fog was clearing. This made for a fast decent down the back side and on into Truro and our first stop of the day. The pace was fast and as the roads dried our spirits picked up. When we saw the first sign that showed Halifax we just had to stop for pictures. Our next stop was in Enfield where the Sears outlet welcomed us with snacks and we stayed and danced for an hour - our cycling shoes were no deterrent and the locals were certainly entertained. With about 50 km to go to the end of our day in New Glascow, we opened the tail gate of the mini van, mounted a big speaker, and pumped out the tunes. While this was certainly a blast and a great way to end the ride, it did cross my mind we were likely breaking numerous traffic laws. Nonetheless, we rocked all the way to town. Finding the actual location of our ‘camp’ was another story. It took us about an hour and then we were here. So close and yet so far! As we were the first Team to arrive, we had a few minutes to gather and reflect on “our” experience over the past 11 days. The individual and group changes have been remarkable. As the other groups arrived, New York Fries prepared a great barbecue for us all and then, in keeping with our ‘tradition’ Team Three ‘got the party started’ and were again dancing up a storm. What a Team! This is the place to be! As I write this, the music is off, the clean-up done, and folks are heading for their last night in our great SLH bunk trucks that have served us well during the trip. We always knew we could count on Dan and Sandy to get the bunks where they needed to be so we could sleep. Tomorrow the party will really rock as we reach our destination and celebrate our success. Kudos today go to everyone on Team Three: the riders for becoming such a solid cycling ‘group’ (and no more just a collection of individual riders and we have video to prove this!); and, to the Crew who were there every step of the way to ensure the riders were safe, fed, delivered to the right spots, and entertained! Thanks everyone! You have made my ‘job’ as team lead so satisfying and enjoyable. It is about membership as well as leadership and WE DID IT! Tomorrow we finish what we started a mere few days ago.