Santa for Palliative Care

September 29

Number of rides to date:                               15

Distance of rides since last blog:                   121.21 kms

Total to date:                                                 702.92

Average per ride:                                           46.86 kms

Remaining Distance:                                      We made it! At least virtually…

Average Speed:                                              18.6 km/h                   

Destination Equivalent:                                 Joe Ghiz Park in Charlottetown (see: The Island Walk Map – The Island Walk; Waypoint 32)

Weather

For my last three rides, I might as well have been in PEI. It was very windy from the west, some sunshine, some misty rain and very cool.          

Observations:

Turns out, our whole trip east to finish the Healing Cycle was scrubbed. First Fiona shut the door. Then medical issues prevented us from visiting our friends in Nova Scotia.

So, in a bit of a funk, I went out on the local roads on Monday determined to break the back of the remaining distance. I ended up completing 74 kms, by far my longest ride this season, and with winds gusting over 50 kms. The next two rides allowed me to virtually coast into Charlottetown, far easier, I’m sure, than the real thing would have been.

Yesterday, on my 15^th day of riding, a small crowd of supporters cheered the completion of my 2022 Healing Cycle. It was wonderful to have John Roynon and William Roberts as a peloton for the last ride. And a dozen or so others to sip some bubbly.

I spent almost 38 hours on my bike over the last few weeks. Lots of time to think about things that matter. About family birthdays, about our upcoming 50^th anniversary, about future stories for The Lake Report, about friends with health issues and on and on. If the physical activity was challenging, the mental reflection was energizing.

Now I turn my attention to making sure my red suit is ready for December!

Everyone’s support has been so heartening. Together, almost 50 of us have raised some $6,700, and there’s still time for more donations.

Thank you for all your support.

And thanks for caring.

Santa for Palliative Care

For more information:

On NOTL Community Palliative Care Service, find: www.notlpc.com.

On donating: Santa for Palliative Care | The Healing Cycle Foundation (crowdchange.ca)

September 24

Number of rides to date:                               12

Distance of rides since last blog:                   50.05 kms

Total to date:                                                 581.71

Average per ride:                                           48.48  

Remaining Distance:                                      122.29

Average Speed:                                              18.6 km/h                   

Destination Equivalent:                                 Made it to Cardigan (see: The Island Walk Map – The Island Walk; Waypoint 26)

Tech Support                                                 Ginny and Paul Green

Ride Twelve

Beautiful day. Cool and sunny with a stiff N/NW wind—at my back, pretty much the whole way to Port Colborne.       

Observations:

Ride 12 was to be my last ride in Ontario before driving to PEI for the final 120+ kms of the Island Walk Trail.

What a difference Fiona makes!

As of this writing, the hurricane has closed down PEI—literally. Charlottetown is underwater and virtually the who island is without power. What seems worse is that much of the Trail is impassable with fallen trees.

It now seems unlikely that I will finish my quest by the end of September–that’s just next Friday. But I am committed to finishing, even if it takes part of October…

So…stay tuned for more news of Santa’s travels.

On a happier note, Paul and Ginny bought me lunch in Port Colborne at a wonderful, little bistro—Bambi’s Bistro—on Main Street West. Friendly, warm and great fare. And believe it or not, the proprietor/chef, Jacki, is a former palliative care nurse!

It was a great way to end the Ontario portion of the odyssey.

Serendipity…I was stopped at the Canal by the CSL Welland, the very shipped that carried the 2022 Canada Games Torch from Montreal to Port Colborne to officially start the Torch Relay in Niagara. I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the Torch Bearers. It seemed an omen.

Where are we on PEI?

We’ve completed a bit more than 26 (of 32) sections of the trail. We’ve reached Cardigan, past Souris, Brudenell and so on. We’re in the virtual homestretch. For that matter, Fiona willing, we’re in the actual homestretch.

Everyone’s support has been so heartening. We’re well on our way to making a significant contribution to the great work of NOTL Community Palliative Care.

Thank you for all your support. And thanks for caring.

Santa for Palliative Care

For more information:

On NOTL Community Palliative Care Service, find: www.notlpc.com.

On donating: Santa for Palliative Care | The Healing Cycle Foundation (crowdchange.ca)

September 21

Number of rides to date:                               11

Distance of rides since last blog:                   130.85kms

Total to date:                                                 531.66

Average per ride:                                           48.33  

Remaining Distance:                                      168.34

Average Speed:                                              18.7 km/h                   

Destination Equivalent:                                 Reached Souris on the east coast (see: The Island Walk Map – The Island Walk; Waypoint 24)

Peloton and Tech Support                            John Roynon—peloton

                                                                        Terry Mactaggart—Uber driver to Stoney Creek

Rides Ten and Eleven+

I was lucky to get my tenth ride in. It rained heavily before I rode and heavily again as soon as I got home. Blessed, I guess. On Tuesday, I rode a short circuit with our neighbour John Roynon. Then my sister Terry drove me to Dofasco Park in Stoney Creek for the long ride home with the wind. Weather was fine with a brisk tail wind.

Observations:

Riding with John was a pleasure. He and Jean spend the winters in Mexico, so it is often months between conversations. We spent a lot of time talking about the challenges of managing a laneway shared by 10 neighbours. Made the time speed by.

Having Terry shuttle me to the west, so I could take advantage of a tail wind, really helped. It was by far my longest two-piece ride of the year—and the fastest.

My goal is to complete about 580 kms in Ontario, leaving 120 to finish on the ground in PEI. Just one more ride on Friday to complete the Ontario goal. Then this Sunday we head out by car for PEI. We should have three good days of riding, Hurricane Fiona willing, finishing in Charlottetown on the 30^th.

Where are we on PEI?

We’ve virtually completed 24 sections of the trail. We’ve reached Souris, around the easternmost point of the island and have begun winding our way down the coast. Pretty country.

Everyone’s support has been so heartening. We’re well on our way to making a significant contribution to the great work of NOTL Community Palliative Care.

Thank you for all your support. And thanks for caring.

Santa for Palliative Care

For more information:

On NOTL Community Palliative Care Service, find: www.notlpc.com.

On donating: Santa for Palliative Care | The Healing Cycle Foundation (crowdchange.ca)

September 18

Number of rides to date:                               9

Distance of rides since last blog:                 85.16 kms

Total to date:                                               400.81

Average per ride:                                           44.53  

Remaining Distance:                                    299.19

Average Speed:                                              18.5 km/h                   

Destination Equivalent:                                 Just east of Delvay by the Sea (see: The Island Walk Map – The Island Walk; Waypoint 18)

Rides Eight and Nine

Weather:                               

The weather was wonderful both days. Clear, cool and almost no wind.

Observations:

I’m really starting to feel quite good. If only I had more days to complete the ride. Our drive to PEI takes a chunk and there are only a few more days available here.

I had a funny moment around the Friday ride. Going to bed on Thursday, I looked at the Weather Network to find the wind predictions at 60km/h, well above my capability. So, I warned Kathy I would need a ride to the west so I could at least have wind at my back for some distance. When I checked the following morning before heading out, I realized I had been unwittingly checking the wind in Charlottetown! The weather here was perfect.

Oh, technology! You’d think I was a dumb old, white haired guy with a beard…

Where are we on PEI?

We’ve virtually completed 18 sections of the trail. We’re now heading west across the top of the province to places we know well. We’ve just passed the small town of Delvay by the Sea, almost directly north of Charlottetown. We’re over halfway!

Everyone’s support has been so heartening. We’re well on our way to making a significant contribution to the great work of NOTL Community Palliative Care.

Thank you for all your support. And thanks for caring.

Santa for Palliative Care

For more information:

On NOTL Community Palliative Care Service, find: www.notlpc.com.

On donating: Santa for Palliative Care | The Healing Cycle Foundation (crowdchange.ca)

September 14

Number of rides to date:                               7

Distance of rides since last blog:                   142.98 kms

Total to date:                                                 315.65

Average distance per ride:                               45.09  

Remaining Distance:                                      384.35

Average Speed:                                              18.3 km/h                   

Destination Equivalent:                                 Just past Miscouche in the 14^th segment (of 32) of the Island Walk; a few kms west of Summerside

Ride Five

Weather:                               

Rain, rain and more rain. But it is good practice for what we might find in PEI later in the month. Soft winds from the south and perfectly cool.

Observations:

I survived the rain. I didn’t shiver too much but the hot shower at the end was so satisfying.

Ride Six

Weather:

Weather was OK. But I dragged my way around the circuit. Any shorter and I might as well have stayed home.

Observations:

I’m getting feedback that some readers don’t understand this year’s riding strategy. So…here’s the plan:

Up to and including September 25^th, I will ride as often as my body and crowded calendar allows around the Niagara Peninsula. I look for the flattest terrain and strongest home-bound winds. To measure my virtual progress in PEI, each ride I map the distance against the actual Island Walk. On the 25^th, after the Bourk’s 60^th anniversary party (wow, is that possible?) Kathy and I are driving to PEI, with my bike in the back. That leaves me three days to complete the Island Walk, starting from the waypoint that is equal to what I’ve done in Ontario. I anticipate we’ll start about waypoint kilometre 580, with 120 or so to finish in the final three days of the month. The only thing that will stop me is too much lobster!

Ride Seven

Technical Team for Ride Seven:           Ginny and Paul Green

Weather:

Bright, sparkling day. Coolish, with very strong westerly winds.

Observations:

Sometimes I think I’m smarter than I look. Case in point, today’s ride. When I heard the prediction of very strong winds from the west, I immediately got on the phone with my volunteer technical directors, Ginny and Paul Green, who graciously agreed to drive me to a starting point in Stoney Creek. The resulting tailwind was heavenly. In fact, I couldn’t have finished over 65 kms without them (both the Greens and the wind).

Where are we on PEI?

Figuratively, we’ve completed 14 sections of the trail, taking us through some wonderful sights up and down the west coast of the province. We’ve just passed the small town of Miscouche, almost within hailing distance of our second pass through Summerside.

We still have a long way to go!

Everyone’s support has been so heartening. We’ve reached our preliminary goal of $5,000.

And great news, Reiner Hummel, is matching the team’s fundraising up to $25,000! So that means we’ve raised $10,000!

Thank you for all your support. And thanks for caring.

Santa for Palliative Care

For more information:

On NOTL Community Palliative Care Service, find: www.notlpc.com.

On donating: Santa for Palliative Care | The Healing Cycle Foundation (crowdchange.ca)

September 6

Riding Days 1 and 2

Number of rides to date:                               2

Distance of rides since last blog:                   94.42 kms

Total to date:                                                 94.42

Average per ride:                                           47.21              

Remaining Distance:                                      605.58

Average Speed:                                              18.3                

Destination Equivalent:                                 Westerly ride from Charlottletown. Completed 4 sections (of 32) of The Island Walk. To just west of Summerside.

Route Map Rides:                  

DAY ONE

Weather:                               

Sunday was cool and misty. Not real rain, just Nova Scotia sunshine. Very strong headwinds from the Northeast coming home.

Observations:

For the first day of the annual September ride, I was anxious. It has been almost three weeks since I’ve been on a bike. Add the cool windy weather, and I was worried I might not make the 35 kms I need to complete the 700 km Island Walk in PEI (see https://theislandwalk.ca). In the end, everything was OK. But slow and very sore at the end of 40+ kms.

DAY TWO

Weather:

Just fine. But still windy from the northeast—the worst direction for wind-wimp cyclists in Niagara on the Lake.

Observations:

If I have learned anything it is that this is all about distance not speed. After a little fluish thing on Labour Day, I decided to ride today, but almost entirely with the wind. That meant Kathy was my sag wagon, picking me up partway back from Grimsby. The ride was mainly to increase my confidence level. I can’t seem to shake this lingering fatigue…

This is a crazy month. All kinds of events have conspired to push our actual finishing ride in PEI to the last three days of the month. In the meantime, I’m riding here, supported by the occasional peloton, racking up the virtual kilometres I’ll need to finish the complete route.

I’m looking forward to our visit down east. After Yellowknife, it was the really the second stop on our lifelong family journey—it will be 50 years this October! Living in Nova Scotia, we spent two weeks each summer on PEI, camping, lobstering, Green Gabling and so on. This year I will ride in the mornings and Kathy will meet me for an afternoon of tourism wandering.

Just for fun, I’m adding pictures of each section of The Island Walk from the official website. I hope they will get you in the mood…

The first four sections of the 32-section (all sections are around 20+ kms) are quite flat leading west out of Charlottetown. There are some great views of the North River in Charlottetown. West of Dunedin, towards Victoria the roads are a characteristic red clay with a beautiful canopy of trees.

We’ve passed a majestic view of the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick, still heading west. Then we’ve ridden right through Summerside on the Confederation Trail.

Doesn’t it make you want to visit?

Everyone’s support has been so heartening. We’ve reached more than half our goal and we’re just getting started.

Thank you for all your support. And thanks for caring.

Santa for Palliative Care

For more information on NOTL Community Palliative Care Service, find: www.notlpc.com.

On donating: Santa for Palliative Care | The Healing Cycle Foundation (crowdchange.ca)

September 28—Ride 20: La Ville de Québec

Distance of final ride:             37.89 kms

Total to date:                         1061.1 kms (30.1 kms beyond the goal)

Average per ride:                   53.06 kms

Average Speed:                      18.3 kms/h

Destination Equivalent:         Oops! Overshot the Chateau Frontenac a bit…

Peloton:                                  Ken Edwards—old biking buddy from Elora

Route for entire journey:

Route Map for Ride 20:              Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail return

Weather:                               

Yesterday was crystal clear and sunny, with a brisk SW wind.

Observations:

It was a perfect way to end the odyssey and arrive virtually in Quebec City.

Ken and I met at the trailhead of the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail, along the Grand River south of Cambridge. It is a beautiful, winding, sun-dappled trail that hugs the river on its way south, all the way to Port Maitland on Lake Erie.

Ken and his wife Susan are long-standing friends from our time in Elora. It was Ken that nurtured my interest in cycling, more than 30 years ago, on the backroads and trails around Wellington County. Very pretty country.

Ken and I have one of those friendships that slips comfortably into old conversations as if we’ve never been apart. The time went quickly, chatting the whole way.

We stopped briefly at 7.79 kilometres to take a selfie. That was he moment we virtually rode under the portico of the Chateau Frontenac. Very satisfying.

When I got home to Niagara, Terry-she and Kathy (and Terry-he with the camera) welcomed me with an actual Finish Line to mark the 20 days of riding. The crowd was modest, but the bubbly was perfect!

So, it’s over. 1,061 kms. $6,325 raised for palliative care. It feels good.

REMINDER: It’s just a few short weeks until I don my other red suit, once again raising support for NOTLCPCS and the great work it does. I suspect this year, like last, will be largely by Zoom, but I’m hoping I can sneak a few live visits into December’s schedule.

If you are having an in-person or virtual gathering and there are Santa-believers, young or old, in the crowd, I would be pleased to arrange a visit. You can reach me at: santaforpalliativecare@gmail.com.

Here’s a link to a brief video to remind you how the Santa-thing works: www.vimeo.com/488140798.

Thank you for all your support. And thanks for caring.

Santa for Palliative Care

For more information on NOTL Community Palliative Care Service, find: www.notlpc.com.

On the Healing Cycle: www.healingcycle.ca

On donating: https://my.crowdchange.ca/i0kprj.

September 25—A two ride day…

Distance of Ride One:             23.25 kms

Distance of Ride Two:            47.21 kms

Total of Day’s rides:               70.46 kms

Total to date:                         1023.21 kms

Average per ride:                   53.85 kms

Remaining Distance:              7.79 kms

Destination Equivalent:         West end of Quebec City, nearing Plains of Abraham

Route Maps:                           Ride One

                                                Ride Two

Weather:                               

The day dawned bright, sunny and windy—from the southwest. Perfect for Ride One. On the second ride, from the Welland Flatwater Course, I put up a sail! Felt great, until the downpour…

Observations:

Ride One–The Pedal Pushers event was fun. A dozen or so dignitaries on the multi-bicycle and a few of us stragglers on bikes. Just a few kilometres, basically around the commons, with a final stop at Upper Canada Lodge, where the Ukesters entertained the residents and us with lots of toe-tapping songs.

Rob Jessup-Ramsey, a Healing Cycle rider and Foundation board member from Toronto, joined me after the group ride, on an extended cycling-saunter through the vineyards around town.

Ride Two—Isabel Chant (my great grand niece, daughter of Jennifer and Colin Chant) was rowing in her first regatta in Welland—the Five Bridges Head Race. It’s a grueling five kilometres with an equally grueling head wind, particularly in a double scull (two rowers, four oars). They looked like veterans out there. Way to go Izzy!

Anyway, that headwind proved to be my tailwind as I sailed home after the race.

As you can see, I’m almost there. Maybe I should have just kept going and finished the thing. But it was pouring. And somehow, I want to savour those last few kilometres. Tease them out, like the last few pages of a great book.

Thanks for caring.

Santa for Palliative Care

For more information on NOTL Community Palliative Care Service, find: www.notlpc.com.

On the Healing Cycle: www.healingcycle.ca

On donating: https://my.crowdchange.ca/i0kprj.