http://www.journalpremiereedition.com/article-n215847-Ready-to-roll-for-cancer-research.html

The credit for this photo should actually go to Roger Gallant - who was multi-tasking while taking photo, as he was also taking note of my “total time elapsed” while I worked on my flat tire. Real sweetheart….

Well sort of punked….Danielle (congrats on your race yesterday in Ottawa! Way to go!) and I had plans to get together before I left town. Little did I know she was scheming to get me to the cafeteria at work. Thanks to all who took the time to be at this send-off for me, with coffee and cake!! Your generosity, support, encouragement, enthusiasm, and sense of family/community have, and continue, to overwhelm me. I am proud to be part of the Pfizer team and have the pleasure of working with some fantastic people who truly care.  Rest assured I will update the blog along the way as much as possible. Please feel free to write/send along your comments!

I hope to see colleagues from the Field Force along the way; colleagues from Montreal at Sears Angrignon on June 17 by 7 a.m  and others who intend to join for longer rides!

Thanks a million to the management and staff at CLYDE’S Restaurant & Bar - Lakeshore Rd, Pointe Claire Village as well as members of the band RRLT: Pascal Byers, Andre Dupras, Scott Klassen, Frederic Lavoie, Pierre Martineau, Kevin O’Farrell, Derek Sadko, Stanley Schmidt, Louise Veronneau.

  A huge thanks to Kim for her help with the planning and organizing of this event with management of Clyde’s. Many thanks to both Kim and Melissa for their help on-site throughout the evening with tickets and the raffle. I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate all that you do to contribute….

Many thanks to colleagues, friends, family, neighbors for your overwhelming support. It seems a fabulous time was had by all - particularly those who danced the night away.

Thanks to friends from the Beaconsfield Cycling Club who dropped by: Marcel, Brian, Linda, Rusty, Dave, Glenn. Great to see you there - and look forward to sharing the experience with you later this summer while chatting on some rides!

Congratulations to all raffle ticket winners. Enjoy your respective prizes!! Many thanks to all the “in kind” donations from business owners in the area. Your support is greatly appreciated.

More pictures to follow once people send some to me!

I changed gears today and spent 1 hour on the Elliptical machine - my heart rate has dropped considerably and the RPM significantly higher from what it used to be when I spent time on this beast as I recovered from my leg fractures and surgery. Encouraging to say the least.

Just finished 1 hour of circuit training with Alex - thanks (I think?!) for a great workout of plyometric, strength, cardio interval bursts and some abs for good measure at the end! Feel great and the muscles have that post workout tremble/shake to them….it’s all good.

Heading over to Clyde’s in a short while for some fun with colleagues, friends, neighbors, family, community. Good luck to all who have purchased Raffle Tickets and thanks to everyone for the overwhelming support.

 A HUGE “thank you” to all the businesses and individuals who have contributed “in kind” donations for the Raffle. My sincerest gratitude.  I will announce the winners on the blog tomorrow.

Come join the fun at CLYDE’S PUB, 286 Lakeshore Rd, Pointe Claire village this coming Thursday May 15. Live music - RRLT - starts at 9:30 pm.

 Raffle tickets sold - over 60 prizes to be won!  Raffle draw will take place at this event.

$10 per person admission, bring your colleagues, neighbors, family, friends.  ALL proceeds going to the National Kids Cancer Ride to help improve the quality of care and life of children living with and beyond cancer.

 Special auction item:  Montreal Canadiens cap signed by players! Don’t miss it!!

Check out the following link to read today’s article about the ride!

 http://www.westislandchronicle.com/article-209903-Ste-Annes-resident-embarks-on-crosscountry-tour.html

Thanks to Kelly Wilton, publisher, and the team at www.montrealfamilies.ca “Montreal Families” publication!

 Pick up your free copy and read all about summer cycling safety “Gearing up for cycling season”

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Shave to Save! About 100 people passed by to encourage us and it’s great to feel, once again, the strength and power of the “Pfizer family”.  A sincere thanks to all.

We got things started with an introduction to the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation and Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. The pre-taped video of Steven Croucher and Tracy Worthington certainly helped shed some light into the effect that childhood cancer has from a child and parent perspective. Thanks Steven and Tracy as I believe your words had a tremendous impact on us all and I know carried us through not only today, but tomorrow and beyond. Health and wellness play an extremely important role in both my personal and professional life, and this has been one way to involve others.  The SNKCR video followed to show how we can all contribute and make a difference (see the blog roll to view the short clip)

 Thanks to Bernard Prigent, VP Medical, and Kevin O’Farrell for their support on behalf of PCLT. Your words of encourgement and support are greatly appreciated.

That said, it was time to SHAVE!  On behalf of all of us, thanks to Nellie and Sheri who took it to task to shave off the hair!  I can only hope that being a part of this day has had a profound impact with you as well. Thanks, and yes - we will have some fun creating and shaping some new hairstyles over the coming months!!

Thanks to the team at IMPACT for supplying the sharp ball caps “Shave to Save 2008″

This has been an emotional day - but a great day. I was so pleased to see kids in the room to listen, learn and be part of this experience. I ask you each to share this with your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors…..spread the word. Thanks for allowing me into your lives with this journey.

You never know what tomorrow brings….

 A HUGE thanks to Scott and the gang at CARAMBOLA CAFE as well as the folks who came out to enjoy a fabulous meal, conversation and support a great cause.  We dined on Thai noodels with salmon; coconut risotto; tiger shrimp with mango glaze and sushi; pork tenderloin with leak pancake. Delicious. I never had the pleasure of dining at Carambola Cafe previously and if you have never been  - please take some time this summer to go and enjoy a meal there! 

KIM, my sincerest gratitude and thanks to you for having put this together. You rock.

Melissa also enjoyed her last night with hair; along with husband Danny and friends!

A great deal of conversation at our table with Kim, Mom (Heide), Tracy and Yannick (good luck with the marathon training and race in Ottawa) - your perseverance and strength through the tough times with your young family sheds some perspective for many and fuels me with inspiration and courage to ride harder; fellow rider and all-around great guy - Keith and Carol (the most amazing energy bar maker - and soon to be retired teacher).  I don’t think Mom realized that this trip involved night riding - and she worries. The conversation and reassurance from Keith about how we go about night rides and long distances over 19 days hopefully helped!

 Keith and Tracy

 Yannick and Carol

 Heide (Mom) and Keith

Thanks everyone for your overwhelming support and encouragement.

 Tomorrow is the Shave to Save.

Shout out to the Grade 7 & 8 students at Centennial Academy in Montreal!

I met with about 70 students to speak about the importance of volunteering and “giving back” to the community. Highlighting the importance of health and wellness; the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride; how good it feels to help contribute to a cause (in this case children and families living with and beyond cancer).

As I said to this great group of youths, you must find something that you are passionate about and is from the heart. Your efforts are greatly rewarded by the feeling of knowing that you can truly make a difference to whatever cause or activity you choose to support. The challenge is adding the volunteer opportunity to some of your own priorities. I can say for certain, from experience, it is well worth the effort, energy and, at times, personal sacrifice.

Any volunteer contribution is worthwhile and doesn’t have to cost a single cent. I asked the kids to spread the word with family and friends or take their bikes out for 15 minutes this weekend with somebody that cares about them.

You can do it too….consider it your homework. (I’ve got your back and will cover the remaining 8 hours 45 minutes of training!!)

Went to see Anne this evening for a fantastic therapeutic massage (West Island Y - Massotherapie Adam).  Should be ready to ride tomorrow! Thanks and GO HABS GO!!