Countdown
September 24, 2011
It has been said that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing. As a child, I viewed cancer as a mysteriously dark and evil force. As I have aged my thinking of cancer really hasn’t changed all that much but it does seem weaker than before - we understand more, we have better weaponry, our soldiers seem more determined - yet unfortunately, stories of battles lost continue to be written. As I grapple with untying a knot of emotions to unravel what I “feel” following the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, what I am most proud about is that at its core, my time over the last 16 days was spent with a group of heroes on their journey to “do something” to move us all closer to a ‘Destination: Beyond Cancer’.
The Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation.
I have already written much about the work the Foundation does but two points bare repeating. For starters, the 100% donation model is one that is easily understood and appreciated. In the business of charitable fundraising knowing the dollars are going to the cause is an easy concept to support. Second, I am happy to report that there are tangible results and outcomes for the dollars you have contributed in all aspects of the foundation’s work - from research through family support services
The link between the dollars raised going entirely to the cause to produce meaningful impacts are critical reasons I continue to be an advocate of the Foundation.
Canada.
We live in a truly magical country. The diverse beauty of the landscape and the people is something that will never leave me. Being able to experience this from my bicycle is something I will always cherish. From small towns to big cities we were welcomed fully and completely by strangers. I did my best to capture some of the landscape but wish I could share my eyes with you. As Neil noted, “the world will come here.” I agree. This has both opportunities and challenges attached to it. Two sides of the same coin.
Teammates.
Putting a large group of people in close proximity, putting them under large amounts of physical and mental stress, and depriving them of sleep is a social experiment of the first order. But, with only small cracks, it all worked. More than ever I marvel at the amount of work and patience required of the support crews. To me there work is representative of true self sacrifice. At least I was able to ride my bike all day…
And ride we did. I was fortunate enough to share the road with some incredible people. Team Two was joined along the way by an assortment of relay riders: Tom, Dave, Hewie, Blake, Brian, Patty, Bill, Terry, Damon, Ted, and Francois. Our crew chief Scott jumped in to help with some heavy lifting on a tough day and head organizer Mike Smith rode with us on occasion - which I always welcomed as Mike is a great guy, super story teller, and the pace of the ride ALWAY increased whenever he joined us.
Part of the core Team Two crew was Robin, Ben and Patrick. All relatively new to cycling I remain thoroughly impressed with all of their riding abilities. Robin dug super deep each time she was on the road, Ben is one of the happiest and most courageous men I have ever had the chance to meet and Pat has ‘Finnspired’ me to “help change stories” about childhood cancer.
I had the pleasure of riding every single day with Heather and Neil. As fortunate as I was with that, I was even luckier to get to know them as people. Without them I will have to rely once more on Google to answer my daily inane questions. They both leave me however, with a certain wisdom, perspective, and joie de vivre which I was not expecting to receive. These are gifts I will always treasure and be thankful for.
Many things will be missed, but the locker room laughs of the RV will be missed the most.
The End of the Beginning.
The physical part of this chapter is now complete. If you have not made your charitable donations for the year, I would encourage you to consider donating to this cause. Click HERE. For those that have donated, a heartfelt THANK YOU for your financial and spiritual support. Your messages and well wishes were heard and used as fuel when body and mind ached, which was a lot, but my cheeks were equally strained from the smile plastered on my face.
Thanks to my Team at work and especially to Dave. You have rallied behind me as you always do. I promise never to take this for granted and appreciate the opportunity to be able to do this.
Katherine, you allowed me to experience something I never knew I always wanted to do. You shouldered the load while I got to play and I look forward to the normalcy of life again with you and Reid. Thank you.
We covered 200km/day for more than two weeks on our bikes. We all arrived safely. The weather was fantastic. Our support crew was the best. Most rides were truly epic and while the experience seems a blur when I stop to think about each day, on and off the bike, the knot begins to loosen. I finish things fulfilled. Completely fulfilled.
I gave a lot to this journey but I got back far more in return - things I hope will make me a better husband, father, friend, and co-worker.
I am very optimistic about this fight but work still remains. The words “your child has cancer” are chilling simply to write yet I believe we are capable of completely removing that page from the story as long as we are willing to act and not sit idly by. We must, as Team Axle urges, continue to Pay it Forward. Life is good; hug your kids. Grab life by the handlebars and ride like you stole it.
Thank you for reading.
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” ~ Luke 12:48
Glen.
Thursday September 22, 2011
Perseverance Pays.
In our objective towards a “Destination: Beyond Cancer” our current physical journey is complete. We arrived in Halifax to a wonderus ovation. I was welcomed and congratulated by Katherine, Reid, Mommy, Andrea, and Josh.
Tears and laughter were shared as they have over the last 16 days - but with a greater intensity.
It’s starting to sink in but not quite there yet for me. I am hoping to share some final thoughts with you over the next few days.
“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit however, it lasts forever.” ~ Lance Armstrong
“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” ~Newt Gingrich
Glen.
Team 2 Day 16 - everyone. Except Kirk who was getting bikes ready & RP who was downloading content.
