Day 6 - A Perfect Day Winnipeg to Falcon Lake Days like this don’t come along too often but they make you realize just how lucky you are. In my case I got to ride all day in gorgeous sunshine, with a following wind (mostly), in a group that’s coming together well and do what we are out here to do. And better than that my butt is not at all sore (now I’ve jinxed myself). It’s the combination of the leather Brooks saddle and the copious amounts of lubricant and butt butter we are all using. Seriously, the saddle is amazing. Broke it in in next to no time and I’m glad I got it. It was hard to say goodbye to Jozef this morning: he left before we rode out as he would be an emotional mess if he did. And so would I. I did have a great send off from Reese, Brent, Al and Perry too. Winnipeg rocks. Cycling through the city was fun but difficult due to potholes, traffic lights and other drivers not understanding that we don’t behave as 20 separate cyclists, but as a single entity when we ride. Yup - that’s news to me too. But April, our RCMP rider makes sure we know the rules. Once out of the city it was a great chance to kick it, and really practice riding the group. The initial headwind disappeared and left us with near perfect riding conditions all the way out to Falcon Lake/Whiteshell. We did 116 km before lunch and afterwards, the jaunt to the end was over way too soon. It’s not often you find yourself saying “damn, we only have 10 Km to go”! We finished at the local school and recreation centre. Which has a giant beaver outside it. No comments please, but Dab liked it. Quick shower and meal - soup and sandwiches - thanks to the staff at Falcon Lake, and we hit the road for the night stop. Since it was so “easy” a ride today, there was a lot of conversation, and singing. But it gave me a chance too to reflect a little on what I’m getting out of this adventure: I figure it is allowing me to reset and refresh. I’ve spent 11 years in Halifax working hard and dealing with kids and families with cancer. We work with and become such a major part of our families that sometimes we lose a little of what it means to them to deal with the realities of childhood cancer on such a personal and intimate level. Every day. We can see the toll it takes on all family members, but we are on one side of a divide and we have to stay so strong for everyone. This, right now is different. 28 riders, each with different experiences of kids cancer. And different perspectives. Perspectives and personal stories I get to hear about and to share. We all do. As Chris said “it’s good to be with other people who “get it” the same way I do, and understand”. And it makes you remember that you’re not fighting alone although often it seems like that. That’s another reason why I’m doing this ride. I’m riding for all the families who go though this fight. For me to remember. And to know both sides. And i do - I work for these kids. And my nephew is a survivor too. I see him now and its sometimes easy forget he ever had to fight cancer because he’s a normal guy living an exciting, successful and normal life!
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 04:49:49 +0000
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