Behind The Rider

As "participants", we often look at ourselves, and others as the ones making the sacrifices, putting out the effort to be part of something, create something, change something, or in general, MAKE A DIFFERENCE in something.

I would like to introduce my wife Lisa.

Lisa has been the behind the scenes participant in each and every year of my Great Cycle Challenge involvement. She has encouraged me, ridden with me, and put up with my whining about weather, or waking up with leg cramps in the night. She has made sure I keep on track.

Not only support for the riding, she has been at my side through my own battles with cancer. As I am sure you have read the "My Story" section above, Lisa has been at my side through more than any wife should ever have to. From simple bloodwork, to 20 hour reconstructive surgeries that almost went completely sideways, she was always there for me to wake up to. Bewteen Lisa, and the rest of our family, and close friends, I am certainly not the lone "participant" in these yearly endeavours. Whether a collection of local rides combined to reach my goal, or that EPIC ride through the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver, Lisa leads the pack with her continued support. (and patience)

So next time you're looking to thank one of the riders, please keep their loved ones, and their entire support teams in mind, without them we simply couldn't do any of this.

Thank You Lisa.

Thank you family.

Thank You friends!

Day #1

I woke up, saw my wife off to work, tended to the doggies, and went for a ride!

The first ride of the 2025 Great Cycle Challenge is officially in the books, and tomorrow will be ride #2!

I may have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have me!

Purpose

As a multiple time cancer survivor/warrior who was given 1 year to live in 2013, I can’t fully express how much participating in the Great Cycle Challenge Canada fills me with purpose. The children we are riding for absolutely should not have to go through these treatments missing out on childhood.

When I was handed that grim prognosis I didn’t have any grandchildren. Bummer. Then came The Bug. 🐞 So named because she came home from the hospital wearing a ladybug onesie.

The Bug (aka Kylie) is a great motivator for me to keep going. Along with her Mommy & Daddy, Aunty, and Aunty’s fella Reese, we had an awesome Father’s Day! Capped off with a short bike ride around a local park.

Let’s make the 2025 Edition of The Great Cycle Challenge a great one!

Let’s get after it!

It has been a bit of a slow start this year, but we’re still ready to go! Another minor tweak for comfort as the geometry changed when I added the swept back Surly Moloko bar, but adding a little riser in the mix has brought her back to super comfy!

“Chewy” has carried me over the Rocky Mountains from Canmore AB to Vancouver BC, toured Victoria, and helped get my Granddaughter on her bike more! Helped raise over $10,000,00 for kids cancer charities, and now is part of my Granddaughters memories and future adventures with Grandma and Grandpa as she gets more involved. She even wants to do some overnight camping on our bikes!

I may have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have me!

Link In BIO!

#IAmBone

#8XandCounting

#NobodyFightsAlone #iwontbackdown #CancerJourney #cancerwarrior #TomorrowsCoffee #warrior #survivor #KFG #cancersurvivor #GCCC #GreatCycleChallengeCanada

Get after it!

Here we are at the beginning of 2025, and already looking forward to August and another year participating in The Great Cycle Challenge Canada to benefit Childhood Cancer Fighters!

This will be my 5th year participating in this great cause, and I look forward to all the inspiring stories, and support from the other participants far and wide. We may be mostly riding alone, but we do it with a common goal.... FIGHT CHILDHOOD CANCER!

I am still in my own cancer war, and the current battle is the continued chemo treatments to rid my bladder/urinary tract of any residual cancer left from previous battles. Akin to going into a battlefield to clean-up any and all land-mines and other unexploded ordnance left behind.

I have been incredibly fortunate to have received much support over the yeas, and humbly ask once again for you to consider continuing your most generous support via Donations to SickKids Foundation through my Great Cycle Challenge Canada profile page. Every dollar helps !

When I include “#TomorrowsCoffee” in my posts, it is to remind myself, and hopefully inspire others, to think of tomorrow with enthusiasm and gratitude. Start each day with a smile!

I may have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have me!

“We have not come this far to only come this far.” Danny Riggs

Link In BIO!

#IAmBone #EightXAndCounting

#NobodyFightsAlone #iwontbackdown #CancerJourney #cancerwarrior #TomorrowsCoffee #warrior #survivor #KFG #manuptocancer #BDP #cancersurvivor #GCCC #GreatCycleChallengeCanada