Well this incredible journey is over! First and foremost, I must apologize for the lack of Blog Entries during the trip. As some of you may be aware, we had great difficulty with internet access during the trip, due to factors like lack of AC Power in the Bunker Trucks and RVs, so when laptops were out of power we had to wait for a university stop to recharge them. Access at the universities was also disappointing. The wireless cards were also hit and miss when it came to access in many parts of the Country and our troop end up sharing a card for 14 people in two RVs for a good part of the journey. But enough belly aching: there were plenty of lessons learned in this first trip across the country to be taken heed of and Coast to Coast has indicated a desire to hear about the problems and correct them for next years trip. So let’s move on.
Was the trip a success? Absolutely! On both a personal and group level, it was incredible. It was also such a whirlwind of activity that 19 days on the road went by like a week on holidays. I remember riders saying things like “I can’t believe that we only have two days left before Halifax”. Within the first 3 or 4 days we totally lost track of day it was and what time of day was a question that you only guess at by the position of the sun (or lack there of) or of course a glance at clock or watch. The “round the clock” riding portions of the trip seemed to go by the fastest.
Here are some highlights:
The Royal Send off - My Sister Shirley and her Boyfriend Michael who treated me like Royalty for the 2 or 3 days before I joined the team in Vancouver. And they were there to send me off with a custom made banner at the start point! Thanks much guys!
Our first night ride - 25kms of climbing followed by a long series of decents into Kamloops BC at hair raising speeds to say the least.
Kipling Saskatchewan - After a lengthy day ride and a short sleep in the Bunker truck, we were to wake up at about 11.00pm and prepare for a night ride of about 150km. I woke up in a state of despair and not feeling the least bit up to this ride. But at the bottom of the truck ramp, waiting in the cold and dark to cheer us on were the family members and friends of Patty, one of the riders in our group. They cheered us on as we excited the tractor trailer and immediately I was re-energized and ready for the difficult night of riding. These folks warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Then came the news that our ride needed to be shortened to 90km due to a committment the next day to be in Winnipeg, I think. Funny how some things work out.
Don the volunteer - This guy jumped on board with zero warning and preparation and worked tirelessy from Calgary to Halifax. Don, your a star!
Brook - The little girl who you see in my blog whos Mom took the picture for me. Somebody good looking had to be in the photo. Brook is not a cancer kid. Just a real cuttie that I had to get a picture with!
The Ride to Kingston - The longest and most amazing ride. Just rockin in a group of 16 or so riders from all three groups at speeds that were a total thrill. It was like poetry travelling with a group of very talented and organized riders. Thanks for the thrills!
Those incredible volunteers - for group 3 - Dan, Michael, Lars, Keith, Lorraine, Wanda, Lucy, Sean, Janice, Jim, Greg, Jamie, Don, and on and on. So many great people who worked just as hard as any of us riders and juggled many more balls than anyone who had to ride a bike. You fed and watered us, kept us healthy, gave up your bed when we needed to sleep in the RVs after hard rides and so on. Without you guys, driving chase, setting up, breaking down, fixing bikes, etc. …. not a chance we would have made it the trip as healthy and happy as we all were. You all rock. All of the Coast to Coast team and all it’s volunteers, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Chris from Odysey Productions and his assistants - the footage and clips you guys took are incredible. And you worked so hard. Can’t wait for the documentary!
All of you folks - Friends, family, Friends of friends and family and business contacts, Harlows Restaurant, and so on. So incredible the way you gave so much to the cause on my behalf. I want to start mentioning names, but I won’t because there is about 140 of you who gave in all varying degrees to make this Journey a reality. You know who you are. You gave unselfishly and I won’t forget that. And the kids will make good use of your generosity.
Most Important highlight: My awakening in Winnipeg - We met a girl in Winnipeg who everyone must know by now who in a matter of minutes redefined my version of heroism. She is in my thoughts ever since and makes me understand the value that I must take each day from this life and what I must be willing to give back, as she continues to give to others in the midst of her continuing 8 year battle with cancer.
Meeting my son in Halifax - He is a part of everything I do these days and my best buddy. He is a great kid!
Well I guess I better wrap things up here. Never at a loss for words, am I. My status for next year is currently unknown. Before I left for Vancouver I said that this was a once in a lifetime experience. We all said that: riders and volunteers alike. But after the ride, everyone said that they would definitely do it again.
Consider getting involved in the Coast to Coast ride next year. You will spend so much time giving of your time and energy for that 3 weeks and a bit. But when your done you will realize how much more you have taken away with you. Absolutely incredible!!!
Peace and Love to all. And if you ride - keep riding!
Just finished texting that I had not i-net access and here I am at a variety store at our next transition point and got access! We are about to do a ride from Montreal River to Sault Ste. Marie. Then we more to our next starting point and will pedal right to the ferry on Manitoulin Island tommorrow Morning. Off to London and then we start our full day rides everyday through Ontario. Lot’s of great rides yet to come! It’s 3pm right now Toronto Time. The organizers and support crew (our support crew is totally amazing!) are finding tons of wrinkles to iron out, but that’s is to be expected on a trip like this in it’s first year. That’s part of the reason why we are having many issues, like lack of inter net access and power in the RV’s and time lines having required tweeking constantly. I will spread the news about the afternoon in Toronto and stage ride in Pickering when everthing is confirmed. The time and place for the stage ride will likely not change in any case. Had a tough ride early morning yesterday and got a bit of saddle rash. Legs were sore but came back to me on our ride this morning. Love and best wishes to all. See you in Toronto in a few days!
Kris
Ok finally got access to the web in our RV. My laptop is going to run out of power real soon, so I have to write fast. We don’t have AC Power in our RV. Trying to figure out why. Anyway we just left Calgary. Our group did a short 35Km ride and now we are shuttling to a further point where we will begin a 106km ride tonight starting at around 10:00pm. Having a lot of fun, not getting a lot of sleep but had a decent rest last night at Mount Royal College in Calgary, after a hot meal, shower and massages for those who needed them. Having a bit of an IT band issue (muscle of the outside of hip to thigh aread) and I will have to keep working out the scar tissue on it. We have had 2 night rides of slightly over 100Km.
Big thanks to Sandy Saunders and her scrapbooking fundraiser which added another $1,440.00 to my pledge drive!! At this point my total reads $12,000.00. I have aproximately 5,000.00 in unentered funds for a total of $17,000.00. Pull out all the stops and bug everyone one you know. I can hit my target of $22,000.00 and I wil added the additonal 3,000.00 myself! If you have already given, thanks. If you can spread the word, thanks. If you have not pledge to my ride and have the means please do! Help me close that gap and make my 25,000.00. My Sister Shirley said I will do it, so I know it can be done!
I love the picture of me and Brock: a beautiful little girl who was at one of our stops. It’s on my desktop. And here is a story: A guy by the name of Don, who is retire but cycles and is in great shape was on our stage ride in Edmonton. Our co-founder Scott Graham briefly spoke to Don before the stage ride and I chatted with him about volunteering for about 10-15 minutes during the ride and he called his wife about joining up with the ride and presto: a 6-8 hours later he is on a plane to Calgary and is now on the tour all the way to Halifax to help with support. WAY TO GO DON!
We met a cool 12 year old named Adam who battled a blood type cancer for 4 years and is now clean and also a girl named Justin who is also a cancer survivor.
I need to go now, but when I get my laptop charged I will come back with more info.
Thanks for Reading!!
Kris
Hello everyone. Just packing things up here at the hotel and getting ready for our 5:45am Departure taking us down to Kitts beach for a 7:30am wheel dipping ceremony. After that we head over to BC children’s hospital for opening celebrations, media hoopla and such, local rider registration before heading out on the long road ahead.
This whole massive undertaking finally comes to a head and I have to say that I have been simply spellbound by the amount of organization that has gone into this event. There are now about one hundred or more people involved. Photographers, medical team, RV drivers, Truck drivers, chase car drivers, 3 bike mechanics, people to arrange meals and laundry, placement of sleeper trucks, local celebrations and media events. We have 4 tractor trailers, 6 RVs, 4 BMW chase cars, 4 roll up door box trucks. You have to see the collective organization and infrastructure to believe it. This has to be largest gathering of unselfish, giving people I have ever seen. And the people who conceived and organized this event must have Super Powers!
I will do most of my posting on my blog during the trip, unless I have a problem with it. So please come here every day or two to look for more news.
Keep an eye on the TV. CTV are a major sponsor and will likely be documenting the various events across the country.
And also The Weather Network, is going to be giving continuous updates on our progress. And here something wild: We have a GPS on board that will update our position continually so you can log on the National site at any time and see where we are!
My current total shows that I have raised about 10,386.00 but the total is actually now closer to $14,000.00.
If you have not contributed to my ride yet, please do so. Get my total up to $22,000.00 and I will push that total up to $25,000.00 myself.
thanks
Kris Walsh
Wow, hard to believe. Just one more sleep (a short one at that) and at 4:30 am- ish or shortly there after, my good buddy Bill Barnes drives me to the airport. And so will begin the adventure of a lifetime and hopefully a chance to make a difference in the lives of 10,000 kids.
Please see the following you tube promo for the ride, featuring some of our more attractive riders!
As I go home to pack the remainder of my required apparel, accessories and personal affects in zip lock bags with my name on them, (Dweeb Alert!) I want to say a big personal thank you to all those who contributed with time, money, enthusiasm, support, care and humor to this campaign of hope, strength and personal re-birth. I am a different man today than I was a mere 6 months ago. I have a renewed sense of what is of real value in this crazy world of ours. And it is “life” and “love” and the care of others. It’s not about net worth, it’s not about collecting toys and hoarding money. It’s about courage and those who have more than us and live through harder times all the while keeping their collective eye on the ball. Its about the hard reality of a child facing cancer. The harder reality of their bravery for a life yet to be lived. And it humbles me to recognize some of the things that I have placed in high value and wanted for myself, when I have so much already.
Tomorrow I will step forward and try to live the ideal of a better man and better human being. Compassion and genuine care will be my calling cards in all of our travels over the next three weeks or so and I hope far beyond the time when we say our goodbyes to the team and go back to our lives.
And if you have not yet contributed to my ride, please do so, if you have the means by clicking on “support my ride.” The rest is pretty self explanatory. And don’t forget to watch CTV and keep checking back here for more updates as we travel across the country!
Thank you all!
Kris
After seeing another round of sponsors come through with support, I think it is time I had something to say about you people: I am so overwhelmed with way the everyone has responded to support this rookie on the most amazing and purposeful journey I may ever have the good fortune to take. I have received support from Friends, Relatives, Business Associates and Contacts I have not spoke to in ages! I have had people take up the cause and become fund raising deputies, soliciting funds on my behalf, VERY Successfully! And here’s the one that blows me away: People I don’t know and have never met donating generously to the cause! I can’t say enough about how I feel about all of you! Every turn of the pedals will be so much more meaningful because all of you have turned on your heart light to give hope to the beautiful children of this Country who are locked in a battle with Cancer. You all know who you and so do I, because I scan that amazing list of Pledge names every time I go to my support page.
When I meet those Children at the Oncology Centres next month in my travels across this Country, I hope to show them some strength in my expression of Hope and Love and you will all be in my mind during those moments. Your Contribution is the real meaning and purpose of my presence on this ride! It may be true that I am the one doing the work on this ride, but without you folks it would just be a bicycle ride. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!
Well folks, the training continues as the June 2 date looms not so far in the distance. Ride lengths are improving all the time, and I am trying to learn about pack riding whenever the opportunity arises and I am available to attend group rides. I am learning about replacing fluids, nutrients, minerals etc. that are depleted on the longer rides. This is so important to long term performance and also for being capable of riding day after day.
In other news: watch for all riders blogs to be moved to a more accessible place on the National Ride Web Site before we depart for Vancouver. Hopefully we will be in a position to update those blogs every couple of days when on the ride. You can check on our status and watch for interesting facts as we work our way across Canada!
Bye for Now
Kris
Hi Everyone! Have not added a post in a few weeks. Just a quick note to let you know that training is going well. Spending as much time as possible out on the road on my sponsored Road Bike, graciously provided by Dorel. What a difference: going from a 30 lbs plus mountain bike to an aproximately 18 lbs road bike! It is definitely faster and responds very well. A few rounds of adjustments and a new set of handlebars will help make the move to this new bike complete! I am getting used to the longer rides and focusing on improving my road sense and hill climbing skills with the advice of some of my very helpful fellow National Riders. Please add your name to the list of my sponsors, if you have the means. I will take a moment to say thanks by email and in person next time I see you, but for now you will probably find me at the office, asleep in my bed, searching for supporters or out on the road! Thanks, Kris
PS - watch for upcoming news on the our May 15th and July 20th 1 ticket, 2 dinner fundraiser at Harlow’s in Uxbridge. Hope you can make it! The first dinner features a 3 course meal, live entertainment and a silent auction. The Second dinner is another 3 course meal and a presentation on the highlights of our cross country trip. Our way of saying thanks for coming to the first dinner and helping to raise funds!
Breaking News! CTV will be present at the below event and providing a live feed to the News Room between the 12.00 and 1.00pm tomorrow, so watch for the coverage if you are near a Television!
On Thurday, March 20th, I am helping organize something called “The Inside Ride” at Uxbridge High School. 30 Teams of 4 kids get together and collect sponsorships. Each team member takes turns riding a bike for 10 minutes and the team that goes the furthest wins some prizes. All proceeds go to support the Coast to Coast Foundation. It’s a fun competition for a good cause!
If you would like an inside ride to be held at your school just contact me at krismmwalsh@aol.com.
Big Thanks to Roger Varley of the The Uxbridge Cosmos. I contacted Roger by Email to ask him if he would interview me for his regular Feature, ”A Cup of Coffee” in the Uxbridge Cosmos: Shameless self promotion, but really it’s all about doing whatever it takes to raise funds for this cause. Anyway, not only did he agree to do so, but he contacted me on Monday, March 11. We did the interview the next morning, and there I am, in the Thursday, March 13 Edition! We probably would have added James Foster to the interview (it is with his help that I have decided to do this ride!) but James was already featured by the other local paper in Uxbridge in a special article some time ago. (that’s how I found out about the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride) Thanks so much for your time and for getting behind the cause, Roger!
