Shay Pitcher
- National: 2286th
- Province: 1229th in ON
I'm Riding For
Maureen Mckenzie
Seventeen years ago our family lost Maureen to cancer. I was just a little kid at the time and I remember the confusion I felt that we wouldn't be able to see her anymore. Maureen was a truly amazing person. She was fun and kind, generous, selfless, creative, spiritual, and always encouraged me to make art. She used to buy me art supplies for my birthdays and at Christmas and she would always write a lovely supportive message to go with them. I never really liked to talk or think about cancer because it would remind me of loosing her. But through this challenge I've relized there is no sense in being afraid to talk about or say the word cancer. So in honor of Auntie Maureen I'm going to help kids kick cancer butt!
My Story
This August, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!
Why? Because right now, over 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it's the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada.
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
So I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support SickKids Foundation to allow them to continue their work in developing treatments and finding a cure for childhood cancer.
Please support me by making a donation to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.
Your support will change little lives.
Thank you.
Shay
My Legacy
-
215 km Ridden$1,395 Raised2024
-
92 km Ridden$274 Raised2025
My Challenge
-
Tour of the Little Libraries!
11 Aug 2025We have quite a few free little libraries around Richmond. So, today I brought some books to donate and went around to a few of them! The first one I stopped at had a very nice selection of books for all ages and a cute little fake jade plant! I left two books and happily collected the little plant someone had left there 😊. Next stop was a library that mostly had books for adults. So, I left a nice non-fiction book about birds and continued on my way. Those who know me will know that I love reading! When I was kid I would read a few 100 page chapter books everyday! I was really into the "Pixie Tricks" series back then and I was happy to see that they are still printing them and writing new ones. My reading tastes have changed over the years and I now mainly read Manga and graphic novels. There's just something mystical to me about a scene with know words. Just whatever is happening in the background. I find it calming. If you've never read manga and are interested I highly recommend a wonderful series called "Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou" by Hitoshi Ashinano. I love that series so much! It's one of those books you can really loose yourself in and feel like your in the world with the characters. Having access to books is a wonderful privilege we shouldn't take for granted. So pop into your local library and find a new adventure to enjoy. Maybe you'll even see me there 😉. Enjoy today's picture of the first little library I stopped at. It's very nicely made!
Posted 14 hours ago -
14.5 km ride - I've been everywhere man! - Monday, August 11, 2025
Logged this ride 23 hours ago -
A Surprise Bike Path!
10 Aug 2025Today I finally rode to the very end of one of my favourite paths! It goes around the retention pond I like to visit everyday. You're probably wondering why I've never ridden to the end in the 2 years I've been riding this path. Well that's because it comes out onto the busiest street in Richmond! When I was a kid Perth street use to be a relatively quiet street. It always had four lanes and I use to wonder why that was. But, now it needs to be six lanes for the amount of traffic that's on it! Also side note Perth street is not the main street in Richmond. The main street is McBean Street! Anyway back to the path story! So, everytime I would get to the end of the path and see all the cars whipping by (not going 50km/h) I would get freaked out and say to myself "Nope! Not getting runover today". However, this morning it was very quiet so I decided to be brave and venture onto the street! Where I discovered there is a designated bike path! (It's actually just the shoulder of the road with bike path paint on it but I'll take it!) With that new found knowledge and lack of speeding cars I went for it! And I survived! One day I'll feel more comfortable riding in amongst traffic but until then it's the small victories that count 😊 Enjoy today's picture of the stunning Jock River! It's very low due to drought but still very pretty.
Posted 2 days ago -
10.2 km ride - Sunday Morning - Sunday, August 10, 2025
Logged this ride 2 days ago -
Thistles are Important!
8 Aug 2025Today I stopped to take pictures of some very beautiful thistles. Because the other day while out riding with my mom (my resident ornithologist) we saw some Goldfinches flying in and out of a big group of thistles. To which my mom said Goldfinches love to use thistles for nesting material! I did some research this morning and apparently this is because they nest later in the year at the same time the thistles are blooming (mid July - August). Also they like to use the fluffy down of the thistles to build their nests. They also eat the seeds of the thislte as they're rich in oil which is both nutritious for them and gives them energy. Now you know! (In my best Bill Nye voice). So that's why it's very important to let wildflowers grow on the roadside and in and along ditches. Because there are many birds (a specially songbirds) that like to nest and live in those plants Goldfinches and Red Wing Blackbirds to name a few. So, enjoy my pic of the drought resistant thistle and enjoy nature today!
Posted 4 days ago -
12.7 km ride - Saw Some Baby Bunnies! - Friday, August 8, 2025
Logged this ride 4 days ago -
Dry River Blues (I bet that's a country song 😅)
7 Aug 2025On today's ride I noticed that part of the Jock river is almost all dried up. I haven't seen the river dry up like that in a very long time. When I was kid my mom and I use to walk up the river in the summer from our house to my Grandma's house! It's a really cool experience to be able to walk on a river when it's just bedrock and no water. But it's also concerning because it means we're in a drought. So, enjoy my pic of the Jock River in it's dry state. Hopefully this drought doesn't last much longer.
Posted 5 days ago -
12.5 km ride - First 50km Done! - Thursday, August 7, 2025
Logged this ride 5 days ago -
The Haze is Mostly Gone!
6 Aug 2025The air quality warning was finally lifted in my area so it was my first ride without having to worry about smoke from the wildfires. There is still a very light haze but not like on the weekend. My heart goes out to anyone across the country directly affected by the wildfires. I know it's a specially bad in BC and Manitoba. I hope everyone stays safe and that the fires die down soon. Also a reminder that we are experiencing a drought so be mindful of your water consumption. All that to say I enjoyed the fresh air and am looking forward to my ride tomorrow. Enjoy this picture I took at my favourite pond of the sunrise!
Posted 6 days ago -
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 6 days ago -
8.1 km ride - Early Morning Ride - Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Logged this ride 6 days ago -
Enjoy Nature Today!
4 Aug 2025Today's ride was full of wildlife! I took a new route which had an abandoned half built seniors condo on it. Seniors may not have been able to live their but the murder of crows and their raven leader have moved in. There was also a group of pigeons living there alongside the crows. After that I encountered three beautiful bunnies doing their best to blend into the grass. They were so cute with their bright white tails! Next I went to visit the duck family I met on yesterday's ride. I'm happy to report that all seven ducklings and their mom are thriving in the pond! Those ducklings are the cutest thing I've seen all week 😍. Just when I thought the adorable creature parade was over I rode past a house with a very staunch protector. There on the front lawn protecting its terf was a very angry black and white pom pom (pomeranian). I'm sorry it was very hard to take it seriously those dogs are all fluff! It wasn't very intimidating but kudos to the dog for doing its job 😅. Anyway enjoy today's pic of me that I stopped to take in the Virginia Creeper jungle!
Posted 8 days ago -
4.6 km ride - To Grandma's House and Back! - Monday, August 4, 2025
Logged this ride 8 days ago -
11.8 km ride - Barked at by a Pom Pom 🤣 - Monday, August 4, 2025
Logged this ride 8 days ago -
$100 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $100 to fight kids' cancer and achieved DEFENDER LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 8 days ago -
Calico Cats, Bunny's & The Big Orange Ball
3 Aug 2025Sunday morning is my favourite time to ride. Most of the world is still asleep and you can hear the amazing sounds of nature all around you. It's a magical time for me no cars, very few people, and no human made noise. It's like you're watching the the world slowly wake up. I just love it so much! You know what else I love? Calico cats (or just cats in general) I encountered a very beautiful female Calico during my ride who was out for her own little morning stroll. She reminded me of my own beautiful calico cat Zipper who was a boy I might add! Male Calico's are very rare like one in a million rare less than 0.33% of calico's are male. We use to call him a Unicorn because of his rarity 🤭. I also saw a few very cute rabbits hopping about! Another thing I love about morning rides is seeing the bunny's! It's very hazy from the fires out west and it makes the sun look even more orange! Really reminds you that it's a giant ball of plasma and gas. Anyway enjoy today's picture of Mantis parked in front of a pond full of ducks!
Posted 9 days ago -
11.3 km ride - Quiet Morning - Sunday, August 3, 2025
Logged this ride 9 days ago -
Year 2 LET'S GO!!
1 Aug 2025I've just completed my first ride of GCC 2025 and my second year doing the challenge! It was a short ride but very eventful! As you'll see in my picture I caught a family of Cormorants hanging out with a Grey Heron at a local retention pond! It's one of my favourite paths to ride through because there's always lots of beautiful birds hanging out there. Before I forget I'd like to wish all the GCC riders a fantastic and safe ride this year! Let's raise more money than ever for cancer research and help kick cancer's butt!
Posted 11 days ago -
6.3 km ride - First Ride! - Friday, August 1, 2025
Logged this ride 11 days ago
My Sponsors
-
Mumzie
“I'm so happy you are continuing your bike challenge for another year! It's inspiring to see my beautiful girl doing something good for herself and supporting such an awesome charity at the same time! I look forward to hearing about your rides each day. GO SHAY!!!”
$124.20Received this donation 8 days ago
Shay
“Thanks for the support and encouragement Mumzie!”
-
Wayne & Delia Lusk
“Go Shay Go! Happy biking! xxoo”
$103.50Received this donation 6 days ago
Shay
“Thanks for your support and encouragement Grandma and Grandpa!”
-
Shannon MacGillivray
“Go Shay!!”
$25.88Received this donation 6 days ago
Shay
“Thank you for your support Shannon!”
-
Eileen S
$20Received this donation 6 days ago
Shay
“Thank you for the support Eileen!”