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 15th 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 50th 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)

