8th
Thank You
After the ride finished on June 24 I spent 5 days in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with Family. I returned to Calgary June 29 and back to work on June 30. The ride was the most challenging athletic event I have been involved in. What made it challenging was not really the daily distance, but the pace of the ride to meet the schedule and the fact it was very difficult to get a good nights sleep. Each Team shuttled ahead at night the distance the other two teams rode that day, about 500 km. This put us in our location to start the next day’s ride any where from 1 to 5 AM. One of the top questions I am asked is “would you do it again”; and my answer is no not under the current format. If the ride was extended from 12 days to 15 or 16 days it would be less demanding. I understand the 2010 ride will be in September which will allow training through the summer months which will be a huge advantage.
The ride was a great accomplishment for all the National Riders and the funds raised will greatly benefit the childhood cancer cause. The best thing about the ride was being able to contribute to this cause through the 237 sponsors who have donated $43,200 on my behalf. I would like to thank everyone who made a contribution on my behalf. It will be appreciated by the children with cancer and their families as well as all the medical staff across the Country who are helping treat these children. One thing I learned was the treatment rate is now over 80% for childhood cancer but there are still many types of childhood cancer that require further research.
I will never forget all the people I met across the country and how much they valued our ride. We were thanked three or four times a day by kids with cancer, families of kids with cancer, doctors, ride along riders, volunteers, Sears employees, police officers who assisted us through their towns, interested citizens, and many other people. I met a lot of great people - National Riders/volunteers from all the Teams and the dedicated SNKCR staff.
I am glad I could contribute to this great cause, it was a physical challenge but also a very gratifying experience I will never forget.
Thank you again to all the people and corporations who donated on my behalf and if you know anyone that would still like to contribute, donations can be made on my fundraising page until November 30.
