I am home now and am grateful for all of the support and care that all of you have given me. As I reintegrate into my “normal” life, many of you are asking me how the ride went.  I am having some trouble answering that question.  It was intense, powerful, humbling, joyful,…a rollercaoster that I am not sure I am quite ready to get off. 

How can this wild ride be over so soon?  It feels like it went by in a flash.  I don’t want to give up my experience yet.  I feel like I don’t remember where we were and what we saw.  The experiences and memories must all be in my mind and heart but I am having trouble accessing them.  For 6 months I haven’t been able to look beyond this ride.  I desperately miss the ride, and the team of incredible people with whom I experienced it.  These feelings are in stark contrast to another set I hold.  On the other hand, I need to be at home, to rebalance the scales, to give support and care to my family and to recieve it from them.   I feel as though I need to hide away for a few days  just to process the whole experience….taking the kids and Wayne and running away to a quiet spot with rocks and trees and water for a few days would be amazing…to hold onto my kids and my hubby.  I  am looking forward to focussing on my family and the simple joys of being with them this summer and holding the belief that when one gives of themselves and does something good like we have done then the Universe will recognize it and reflect it in our lives as they continue to evolve.

My life became so simple and patterned and unplugged from the craziness of life, including the adapations to my life that were required to prep and train for this ride.  I just want to maintain that simplicity and lack of stress.  I am blessed to have been able to “go for a bike ride”.  As we rolled into small towns and big cities across ths country, we were welcomed, cheered and praised as role models by the public, by families, kids sears employees.  They were calling us heroes.  This praise seemed a bit displaced to me and almost made me feel uncomfortable.  The kids that we did this ride for live a harsh reality and they are the real heros.  they and there families are the courageous ones.

Each day of these 19 days plus the pre and post days, I have laughed and cried innumeral times…the general state of my face has been one of expression.  I talked with my dear friend and fellow rider Lynne and a few others about wanting to experience this ride in an emotionally open way…to be affected….to be open to the sensation of how doing this made me feel.  I was always feeling something.  Lots of laughter, joy, kibitzing (sp), wonder, humblness, pain, priviledge, sadness, reflectiveness….Help me to stay this way, to be emotionally charged, to reconnect with my family and to put myself out there in an open way,   to smile more and laugh more.  To scold or speak harshly less.  To give more praise and less criticism.  to give more hugs and kisses and to build up those around me as much as I can.

As I rode in the plane and these past days as I get back into the routine of things, it is almost as if I am trying to “sum up” the past few weeks and come up with the “take home message” or “key talking points”.  Perhaps I just need to be a bit more lenient with myself.  Three intense weeks physically, mentally and emotionally will take some time to process…..I am sure their will be more to come.

What I can say is that I am so grateful for the opportunity to undertake this challenge.  I am grateful for the support, first and foremost of my husband and kids, of my friends and community in Kelowna.  I am thankful to all of you who supported me with your kind words, actions, sharing of resources and opportunities.  Thank you to all of you who have made financial contributions and helped me to raise, when all is entered in, close to $45 000.  I am still aiming for $50 000 and have til July 30th to do it.

 I will take this experience and use it to continue to do what I stated as my goal from the outset…to make a difference in my community and in the world, to be a role model for my kids and to show them that they are not small, they are powerful beyond measure.  I will continue to work in a way that helps to put childhood cancer on the national agenda, helping Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation to grow and evolve and gain momentum here in the west.

If you haven’t already, check out these videos and slides from the event: Slides:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j21Mp4yB6es

Closing Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny4cJZ9esFU

And don’t forget to check out the National Site for stories, pics and videos at http://www.nationalkidscancerride.com/

Hi all,  here are a few video clips to give you a taste of what it was like out there. Enjoy the ride

Sears National Kids Cancer Ride closing ceremony video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny4cJZ9esFU  this is a preview of the longer 1.5 hour documentary that is coming.

A Photo Slideshow:  a sample of the pictures from the ride as viewed at our closing ceremonies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j21Mp4yB6es

Dedication Video from Regina:  Our ride was dedicated to Cara Joy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfSqG0n4BHk

Since my post on Monday, I have made two addtional ride posts….see below .  There are a couple more to come to take you to the end and I will continue to add them in the next day or two.  I also had some trouble with the memory stick on which I saved the photos….i will post a gallery once i get those photos.  Thank you so much for reading.

hi everyone.  i am home in the beautiful Okanagan.  Arrived yesterday after flight delays to a party organized by my rockstar hubby at a local grille.  I slept 10 hours last night.  bed at 8:22 up at 6:30.  This morning I will unpack my bike and spend some time with my son .  Once he heads to school this aft.  I promise to catch up on my postings from Quebec to Halifax. 9 we had little time and little internet connection those last few days)   What an amazing, powerful, humbling emotional ride it has been.  Thank you to all of you for reading and keeping me in your thoughts.  catch up coming after lunch.  xo Jenn

An RV ride from Quebec city brought us to a set of train tracks in the pouring rain.  From here we were to set out toward the border with New Brunswick.  By this time the names of all the towns are blurring and I really have no clear memory of just where we were.

Our tent was set up just metres from a set of tracks and we were treated to the ground vibrating passing of a freight train…oh and of course the driver sounded the whistle as he passes a bunch of crazy people all in mathing red spandex gathered at the side of the tracks.   After Tuna pitas by the tracks we all got ready to ride, but not before Jonathan Gallant, on of our team members from Halifax, finally got his legs shaved.  ( not sure if all of you knoe that male road cyclists typically shave their legs.  Reasoning is that it make for better healing in the event of a crash but I think they all just think it makes them go faster…less wind resistance :).  In any event none of us girls mind how it looks either) .  Todays was a late afternoon start and we would be riding 120km’s and into the night.  One of our members Michel from Montreal wanted to make the dedication: his english had improved considerably since beginning his immersion with group #2 but for this he asked his girlfriend Veronique to translate.  Michel and Veroniques son was born with a cleft palate and multiple tumours in the roof of his mouth.  After wonderful care and a full recovery at L’hopital Ste Justine in Montreal, the couple were so appreciative of the care their son recieved that Michel decided to undertake a 24hour cycling fundraiser for the unit there.  Unfortuately, Michel’s mother developed cancer no too long after he made his plans and  caring for her required he put aside the fundraising event.  Sadly, his Mom passsed away and Michel wears a cross on a chain around his neck that carries some of her ashes.  When he heard about the National Ride, and the fact that Ste. Justine was one of the centres it supported, Michel was moved to take on the challenge in honour of his son and mother.    Struggling through the tears he told us he is certain his mother would be proud of her son.  Standing on a lonely road beside some train tracks…we were all certain she would be too and dedicated our ride to a woman who raised a proud, joyful, and fiercly proud son.

This ride took us to a provincial park outside Edmunston N.B.  What a beautiful ride.  we had Jeff “Cap’t Euphoria” Rushton with us.  He had unplugged his blackberry and was a positve injection of energy into a beautiful, sunny, HILLY ride.  Our route took us past lakes and rivers, and through hills.  the climbs were some of the biggest we experienced onthe ride….on turn took us onto 10 km of dirt road that included a 10% followed by a 12%, and finally a 19% climb.  This means standing, pushing as hard as one can and still only going 7 km an hour…any slower and I’d fall over.  You know that climbs like that always have a reward too…yeehaaa!!!   More Pics coming.

back into the RV for a drive to our next start point at 5:40 am somewhere in N.B…

We spent last night at the beautiful resort at Stoneham Ski Resort….too bad about the torrential rain that was strong enough to was out parts of the gravel parking lot….most of us spent the evening huddled in our rooms..some made it out to the hot tubes…unfortunately yours truly did not.

This morning we enojoyed a well attended community ride beginning at Sears Place Laurier.  What a joy to be riding through this gorgeous city with it’s quaint shops and stone walls. Rolling down the cobbled streets in our colourful gear, the pedestrians waving and cheering. The highlight of this ride….a Jeff Rushton Moment: a spontaneous stop at a cafe to order cappucinos for 55 poeple.  Photos coming.

Sunrise at McGill

Montreal to Quebec City  Originally scheduled to be 345km….with a community ride and three stops ….oh and more thunderstorms.  The commuity ride through the bumpy streets of Montreal, took us by beautiful architecture and residential neighbourhoods.  Before we left, we heard the story of a little girl named Lea.  Of here journey and fight which she is beginning to win.  Her Mom could barely even start her speach let alone talk through it. She talked about the isolation of going through this journey and how the realization that there are people such as us choosing to make the committment we are to putting childhood cancer on the national agenda, helps to ease that.  She talked to us about being honoured by our actions….I feel honoured to have the opportunity to do this on their behalf. 

Another articulate and brave 9 year old survivor, Anne-Josee wished us luck, told us with each pedal stroke make it  with joy, energy and hope. Two more little girls shyly stayed with their mothers as the mothers shared to apprcieation and admiration for our efforts.   The common theme amoungst all of these parents was their felling of isolation when going through the journey of childhood cancer as a family.  Programs that the funds we raise will support will help to aleviate some of this isolation

Today our destination was Stoneham ski resort considering the distance and the stops, we decided to break this ride up into parts and ride it as a relay. Our team took a flat, fast leg along the St Lawrence river.  We barely made it into the little town of Portneuf before a thunderstorm.

Today we as a small group dedicated our leg of the ride to a fellow rider Shane.  Shane is currently in treatment of cancer.  He joined us in Hamilton for the remainder of the ride to halifax, to ride when he felt good and to help the mechanics when he could….Unfortunately, at Montreal, Shane got poor test results….of which we do not yet know the details and had to fly home to Milton last night.  This was a fun, energetic, happy, fast ride….we had spent a lot of time in the RV today and when they let us out on our bikes, we were like a a pack of puppies scratching at the door and then being let loose to play in the back yard.  We just beat the thunderstorm!!

Okay, I know that I am missing a day here and that I have not written about toronto to ottawa yet but I m so tired that I just want to get todays posting written before it escapes my mind.  Going back to yesterday’s will be too difficult at this time….

Today started at St. Laurent Mall.  As we rode in, everyone was yelling  go Aunt Jenn…the riders that is.  I didn’t realize what they were talking about but after turning around and seeing my parents, and friends from Ottawa I saw a giant sign made by my brother and his family …on the back side of the old pink curtains from the cottage.  They had hung it on two poles that were slid into the supports for the dock…they had hauled them all the way to Ottawa!!!

Once again I had some  filling up on love!!  I should have taken it with me and hung it in my bunk…in retrospect I regret it.

Our stage ride took us to Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario where we heard from a mother who had lost her child to cancer.  Her story was detailed and heartwenching and I was not the only one with wet eyes.  I admired her courage to stand before us and share her story.

Okay….just the facts:  from the hospital it was on our way….but with a quick stop in one of our riders old neighbours driveway for cookies, fruit and cold drinks…..Neil is from Calgary and his old neighbours there now lives in Ottawa.  When they heard of Neils cross country trek, they invited him and all 79 of his friends to stop by on our way out of town….i have to tell you that the gardens and refreshments at 24 Sussex street are lovely and Mrs. Harper is a gregarious and lovely hostess.  The service men are pretty cute too and they even managed to smile for photos.

Next: on to Montreal….were were chased by a storm all day…Man I was tired.  I road in the third group today and it was not a fast ride.  We had a tail wind and my heart rate stayed below 100 the whole time.  I wasn’t physically tied but I was sleepy……you know when you get sleepy and start to do head dips?  Well they are not so safe on oa bike!   No I did not crash but it freaked me out a bit.  We arrived in Hawksbury to ice cream and chef Larry’s french toast and the looming thunderheads on the horizon.  Before long we were hit by a HUGE thunderstorm.  Huddled under the SNKCR tents, we waited out the most vicious down pour and then loaded all the bikes and riders onto RV,s and cube vans to be bussed ahead to McGill U.  This was the best choice for me and despite the coffee I tossed back in Hawksbury, I fell asleep immediately on the RV and woke up as we arrived at  McGill.

Oh to add to the adventure, I managed to wipe out on the wet floor of the shower room after my shower…a&# over tea kettle as they say  One more bruise for the collection.

Sorry about the lack of photos, I am using the University computer and can’t put my photos on it.  Once we are back onto our 24/7 relay, we will be back in the RV’s on a regular basis with better access to our laptop and card reader.  Stay tuned.  Okay, off to call the hubby and kiddies.  G’night

June 13th  Hamilton to Toronto

What a great day.  Today we rode into Toronto…the home of Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation.  After leaving Hamilton, our first stop was Sherway Gardens to pick up some community riders. I was racking my bike, swung my leg over the cross bar to dismount and kicked somebody in the stomach.  As I turned to appologize, I saw my sister in law Kristyn and brother Jim.  It was Krystyn I had kicked…opps.  Seeing them brought me to tears.  Family means so much and when you are away from them and living this isolated experience, unplugged from the world they are missed.  After  a tour of the sleeping 18 wheeler, and some photos, we heard from a young girl who has ridden in the tour for kids.  She did a dedication for her friend Adam who is living with leukemia….he is not doing as well as he had been last summer when we saw him and his AC/DC cover band at the Tour for  Kids wind up party.

The ride into Toronto: what a blast!  A Metro Police escort announced our arrival into the city, closing road for us as we went along Lakeshore and into downtown toward Sick Kids.  This was Friday afternoon and the  streets were filled with people.  Talk about an attention getting experience!!

Arriving at Sick Kids to the cheers of the crowd gathered there, I was so pleasantly surprised to see a family friend Paul jump out of the crowd to hug me.  Wow, I had not expected to see any of my “peeps” at this event :).  Almost immediately after that my phone rang and it was Wayne.  His timing was immpecable.  I wa thrilled to be sharing this moment with hiim even if only by phone! Hearing him was difficult though.  It was noisy here and where ever he was, was also noisy….he claimed to be at the airport in Kelowna….but then tapped me on the shoulder there on the lawn of Sick Kids Hosp!!!  What an emmense feeling of joy, what a wonderful surprise.  I was getting to share this incredibly emotional experience with my other, my love, my beautiful partner. 

The rest of the afternoon glowed for me.  Our child ambassador at Sick Kids, a brave and confident, bald  young girl named Madison welcomed and thanked us, and accepted 100 dolls from us to share with her friends on the oncology ward inside the hospital. We heard from Dr. Victor Blanchette, the chair of the C-17 group of representatives from the 17 childrens oncolgy centre across the country as well as from Dene Rogers, CEO of Sears.  From both these gentlmen we recieved a committment to continue to grow this event year after year.  After that it was on to a picnic and entertainment at Trinity Square.

All of the festivites were made sweeter by the fact that I was sharing them with Wayne!!  When it was all over, he walked  to my dorm at Ryerson U, bu quickly had to leav for his flight back to Kelowna.  Watching him walk away from me on Mutual street was heart wrenching. I didn’t want to be the one to stop waving first.  Doing this ride, the training the time committment, the separation has all been a gift from my family that I am grateful for and overwhelmed by.   I am blessed.

London, University of Western Ontario.  8:30 stage ride beginning at Sears Masonville to McMaster University in Hamilton.  Arriving at the start I was so flattered to see two lovely gentlemen waiting to greet me.  Our long time friend James Oake and Wayne’s business partner Darren Micallef had taken the time to come to the start.  Now that we are in Ontario, more and more riders are being met by family and friends.  You see lots of tears of joy and the meeting helps to fuel us up as our journey comtinues.  Just like reading your messages on our blogs and the website, it fills us up with the “juice” we need to help us continue.  It is a check in with the reality from which we have been removed for the past two weeks.  Thank you Darren and James, and thank you to all of the families and friends who are taking the time to come out to our events even though you may only see us for a few minutes…it is vital.

We made a quick stop at the Sears outlet in Woodstock Ontario…..Jeff Rushton’s hometown Before we rounded the corner, we could hear noise….screaming. I was thinking, do they have tape recorded cheering?  As we rounded the corner int o the parking lot we were greeted by about 200 screaming and cheering school children.  They were from two local elemantary schools, and had made posters for us and were absolutely pumped to be giving us high fives and asking questions about bikes and posing for pics. 

We all arrived at Hamiton to champagne at the front door…a toast to the beginning of our day stages