26th
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!
