Day 2 was once again an amazing weather and riding day! The sky was blue, the sun shone all day and the pace of the group was just perfect! We made good time all day and were ahead of schedule so that meant longer breaks and resting in the sunshine a bit more than usual. Who knew we would all get our best suntans in the middle of September in Dawson Creek and Chetwynd???!!!
The mayor of Dawson Creek rode out with us in the first few kms and than we were on our way. It was nice to have a break from all the traffic we had yesterday and we moved along very smoothly as a group. The terrain had a few ups and down near the beginning of the day and than some nice flats before we headed down the East Pine Hill and across the East Pine river, only to climb once again to the top of the valley. This was a pretty challenging climb but we rocked it and made it up altogether in one group - which isn't as easy as it sounds!
We had some good gusty headwinds today but still managed to keep a pretty fast pace between 25 and 30 kms an hour. Will take those headwinds any day instead of those cross winds that take you by surprise. What was clearly evident today was the constant encouraging of team members to each other and after only being together as a group for less than 2 days - this teamwork was impressive to watch. Lots of words of encouragement and a helping hand when needed. And of course, some good natured teasing and poking!
Coming into Chetwynd was great fun as the street by the Rec Center was lined with kids and teenagers cheering us on - that is exactly what we needed after biking just over 100 km and brought a smile to all our faces. We enjoyed an incredible supper and felt the hospitality of Chetwynd from many different local people that have helped raise funds for our cause! Thanks Chetwynd!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
day 1 - Fort St John to Dawson Creek - 76 kms - Liesl's version!
What a beautiful day we had - plus 20 weather and sunshine - couldn't have asked for anything better (excerpt maybe a little less wind!) We headed out of Fort St John just after 11 am after listening to some presentations and speeches by local sponsors and a child survivor - a brave young teenager who just had a partial leg amputation earlier this year. What an inspiration she is and with such a positive outlook on life.
The wind was at our back as we headed for Taylor and the group surprisingly came together pretty quickly in two straight lines - weren't getting too close to each other's tires yet but we looked pretty good in our jerseys! We had to cross the Taylor bridge on the cement sidewalk as the bridge has a metal clad surface - just for the record - I don't know about anyone else but I was not a happy camper doing this - my knees were knocking together like crazy by the time we reached the other side and I was slightly nauseous! Thank goodness that was done - the South Taylor Hill seemed like a breeze after that!
South Taylor Hill is one of the biggest hills on Tour this year and is almost 6 km long with a steady climb and a 500m stretch of 10% grade. We all made it up and as Jenn put it - I think we did pretty good - we weren't even gasping for air and didn't sound like Darth Vader when we got to the top! Mission accomplished!
The sun was still shining as we stopped at the Farmington Fairways golf course and sat on the grass and ate a delicious lunch! The afternoon brought strong cross winds across the fields which sometimes blew some of the smaller framed bikers a foot or two off course! We had some challenges keeping the group together but am sure that will work out over the next few days. We had one minor crash today - just a scrap on the knee so nothing major! Lots of traffic but lots of friendly honking as we rolled along which always brings a smile to our faces.
We rolled into Dawson Creek about 4:30 pm and were welcomed at the Lake View Credit Union by some of our local sponsors and people from the community. We once again heard some moving speeches from cancer survivors and what Camp Goodtimes has meant to another teenager who was diagnosed with cancer 5 year ago.
For those that didn't head to bed before 10 - incredibly show of green dancing northern lights - what a treat to be able to see those again!
The wind was at our back as we headed for Taylor and the group surprisingly came together pretty quickly in two straight lines - weren't getting too close to each other's tires yet but we looked pretty good in our jerseys! We had to cross the Taylor bridge on the cement sidewalk as the bridge has a metal clad surface - just for the record - I don't know about anyone else but I was not a happy camper doing this - my knees were knocking together like crazy by the time we reached the other side and I was slightly nauseous! Thank goodness that was done - the South Taylor Hill seemed like a breeze after that!
South Taylor Hill is one of the biggest hills on Tour this year and is almost 6 km long with a steady climb and a 500m stretch of 10% grade. We all made it up and as Jenn put it - I think we did pretty good - we weren't even gasping for air and didn't sound like Darth Vader when we got to the top! Mission accomplished!
The sun was still shining as we stopped at the Farmington Fairways golf course and sat on the grass and ate a delicious lunch! The afternoon brought strong cross winds across the fields which sometimes blew some of the smaller framed bikers a foot or two off course! We had some challenges keeping the group together but am sure that will work out over the next few days. We had one minor crash today - just a scrap on the knee so nothing major! Lots of traffic but lots of friendly honking as we rolled along which always brings a smile to our faces.
We rolled into Dawson Creek about 4:30 pm and were welcomed at the Lake View Credit Union by some of our local sponsors and people from the community. We once again heard some moving speeches from cancer survivors and what Camp Goodtimes has meant to another teenager who was diagnosed with cancer 5 year ago.
For those that didn't head to bed before 10 - incredibly show of green dancing northern lights - what a treat to be able to see those again!
Friday, September 9, 2011
day 1 a report from Terry
We arrived safely in Dawson Creek on schedule at 4:30 pm. We actually pedaled for 3 hours and 11 minutes and covered 74.1 km. The team successfully ascended Taylor Hill and despite lots of pre-ride anxiety it was actually a lot easier than most of the riders expected.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Anticipation is building
All riders and support crew arrived in Fort St John throughout the day in preparation for Tour de North starting tomorrow morning. Some of us rode up in the support vehicles and looked at the highway in a whole new light as we realize we will be travelling that very route in the days to come. That South Taylor Hill tomorrow is going to be the first challenge and after driving down it today it may give some of us nightmares!
We had a get together with almost all the riders (our Prince Rupert rider has yet to arrive via plane) and support crew which allowed some of us to meet for the first time and finally put a face to the name or the voice. It was nice to see a few friendly faces from those that had been on Tour last year and will help support the tour in so many ways with their biking expertise and Tour experience. And.....Rick is still smiling!
We received some instruction on safety and protocol and listened to a child cancer survivor who not only went to Camp Goodtimes for years as a kid but continues to go every year in different capacities as support staff. It was nice to hear those stories as all of the fund raising and time spent on training gets put into perspective and you know you are making magic happen for kids with cancer.
Seems like we have a really strong group this year - both in physical ability and spirit and are looking forward to getting on the road tomorrow morning! I know I will personally dream about the pancakes that we will be getting for breakfast!
We had a get together with almost all the riders (our Prince Rupert rider has yet to arrive via plane) and support crew which allowed some of us to meet for the first time and finally put a face to the name or the voice. It was nice to see a few friendly faces from those that had been on Tour last year and will help support the tour in so many ways with their biking expertise and Tour experience. And.....Rick is still smiling!
We received some instruction on safety and protocol and listened to a child cancer survivor who not only went to Camp Goodtimes for years as a kid but continues to go every year in different capacities as support staff. It was nice to hear those stories as all of the fund raising and time spent on training gets put into perspective and you know you are making magic happen for kids with cancer.
Seems like we have a really strong group this year - both in physical ability and spirit and are looking forward to getting on the road tomorrow morning! I know I will personally dream about the pancakes that we will be getting for breakfast!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Less than a week to go!
Well - it is less than a week to go before Tour de North begins on September 9th in Fort St John. Excitement is building in all the communities that Tour will travel through this year and support from communities across Northern BC has been amazing!
Riders are wrapping up fund raising events in their communities and trying to fit in those last minute training rides. The new north to south route will prove to be challenging and it will be fun to break ground for Tours to come.
As always, in my mind, I wonder.....have I trained enough? Has everyone else trained enough? How will we mesh as a group of 20+ riders when most of us have never met before? It has been a most challenging summer of training as the weather has been most uncooperative - with some of the wettest and coldest weather in 30 years in the North. That hasn't stopped us from getting out there to pound the pedals and hopefully it has prepared us for anything Mother Nature will through at us that week.
It takes a lot of time and dedication by the ones who commit to ride in Tour and we also couldn't do it without the support of our family, friends, co-workers, sponsors and support crew. Please come out and cheer us on as we pass through your community!
Riders are wrapping up fund raising events in their communities and trying to fit in those last minute training rides. The new north to south route will prove to be challenging and it will be fun to break ground for Tours to come.
As always, in my mind, I wonder.....have I trained enough? Has everyone else trained enough? How will we mesh as a group of 20+ riders when most of us have never met before? It has been a most challenging summer of training as the weather has been most uncooperative - with some of the wettest and coldest weather in 30 years in the North. That hasn't stopped us from getting out there to pound the pedals and hopefully it has prepared us for anything Mother Nature will through at us that week.
It takes a lot of time and dedication by the ones who commit to ride in Tour and we also couldn't do it without the support of our family, friends, co-workers, sponsors and support crew. Please come out and cheer us on as we pass through your community!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Send someone to jail for a good cause
If you’re boss has been giving you a hard time lately, perhaps it’s time you have him or her sent to jail.
Safer communities co-ordinator Dave Dickson, who is riding from Fort St. John to Williams Lake on his bicycle for the Cops for Cancer Tour de North, is encouraging people to give him a call and arrange for their bosses (or co-workers) to be “arrested” on Wednesday, Sept. 7 and thrown into jail.
The jail, of course, will be a mock jail, located at the courthouse square and it’s all to raise money for cancer.
The Jail n’ Bail event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will include burgers sold by Mr. Mikes between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Dickson says more people are also needed to work up the nerve and get their heads shaved at the event.
Those interested in getting their heads shaved or have their or co-workers arrested can contact Dickson at 250-392-8701 or e-mail him at david.dickson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
The Cops for Cancer Tour de North will begin in Fort St. John Friday, Sept. 9 and conclude in Williams Lake on Thursday, Sept. 15.
Dickson will be joined Williams Lake’s Cpl. Brian Evans, Cpl. Mike Hacker and Const. Ken Davies, and other RCMP members and BCAS paramedics in the northern region.
Also on Sept. 15, a gala dinner will be held at Thompson Rivers University at 7 p.m. to welcome the 23 RCMP and 2 paramedic riders who will have participated in the cause.
Tickets for the gala cost a $10 minimum donation — all proceeds go toward pediatric cancer research and programs — and should be purchased in advance at the Williams Lake RCMP detachment, Williams Lake and District Credit Union, Canadian Tire, Williams Lake Canadian Cancer Society office, and Zone 4.
Safer communities co-ordinator Dave Dickson, who is riding from Fort St. John to Williams Lake on his bicycle for the Cops for Cancer Tour de North, is encouraging people to give him a call and arrange for their bosses (or co-workers) to be “arrested” on Wednesday, Sept. 7 and thrown into jail.
The jail, of course, will be a mock jail, located at the courthouse square and it’s all to raise money for cancer.
The Jail n’ Bail event takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will include burgers sold by Mr. Mikes between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Dickson says more people are also needed to work up the nerve and get their heads shaved at the event.
Those interested in getting their heads shaved or have their or co-workers arrested can contact Dickson at 250-392-8701 or e-mail him at david.dickson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
The Cops for Cancer Tour de North will begin in Fort St. John Friday, Sept. 9 and conclude in Williams Lake on Thursday, Sept. 15.
Dickson will be joined Williams Lake’s Cpl. Brian Evans, Cpl. Mike Hacker and Const. Ken Davies, and other RCMP members and BCAS paramedics in the northern region.
Also on Sept. 15, a gala dinner will be held at Thompson Rivers University at 7 p.m. to welcome the 23 RCMP and 2 paramedic riders who will have participated in the cause.
Tickets for the gala cost a $10 minimum donation — all proceeds go toward pediatric cancer research and programs — and should be purchased in advance at the Williams Lake RCMP detachment, Williams Lake and District Credit Union, Canadian Tire, Williams Lake Canadian Cancer Society office, and Zone 4.
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