Finish strong, aye!

Last day of August, last day of the Great Cycle Challenge 2025, and I'm already heading towards withdrawl!!! What will I do with this free time? What if I get bored? What if I resort to cleaning? Hahaha, like that's going to happen!

Before I get sidetracked, a huge THANK YOU to all of you!!! I initially set my fundraising goal at $1000, that was smashed in July. Then $1500, then $2000, and ended with a personal best of $4770!!! Some of you have supported me EVERY year, for 10 years, I'm so humbled. Your generosity and encouragement make this possible. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

Ok, so here we go...the inner workings of my brain.

Last night we tried to watch 'Dead Poet's Society'. I found it too depressing, but it did generate some conversation, giving us a destination for today, our last 'official' ride...Ivy Lea(gue), Gananoque. Carpe Diem, right? And Scott created a poem:

There once was a girl named Sue,

Who didn't know what to do,

She biked for miles and miles (ad nauseum),

With some cursing and smiles,

From here to Kalamazoo,

I was speechless.

We headed to the 1000 Islands Parkway since it was such a beautiful biking day, parking near Butternut Bay. Saw a few things we haven't seen in awhile, like green grass, and ripe pumpkins in a garden.

Also saw a few things we've never seen, like a dead fish on the trail (and you think a skunk stinks!!); like a man on a bike wearing headphones, with a dog on a leash...but what was exceptional was the dog only had 3 legs, and he was moving at a good clip. He was the one who heard our bells!

Saw a lot of people not wearing helmets today, about 50% actually. Just not right, no thank you!

There is no easy way to break in a new pair of cycling shorts. Trust me.

Saw at least 227 motorcycles along the Parkway, only 10 of which had mufflers. Seriously!

Saw a Petit Train du Nord cycling shirt today; a lovely couple, who might have been mid to late 70's, had pulled over so I stopped to interrogate. They have done the 201km trail from Mont Laurier to St Jerome 4 separate times, just finishing their last trip 4 days ago! They were amazing, so strong, friendly, fit and couldn't say enough about the experience. We've done portions of it at separate times, but never the entire trail end to end in one trip. Yet!

I realized today why Scott often lets me ride first. Apart from the obvious drafting (haha), it also discourages any unwelcome encounters with a certain beastie, ie snakes. It backfired today, I heard that distinctive shudder and knew. He caught up with me and said he thinks he ran over it's tail. My remark of 'That's not good' was immediately countered with, 'What if it had coiled up and constricted me?' Again, speechless.

And then, I almost fell off my bike when Scott said to me there were some nice dinnerplates up ahead...and he was talking about hibiscus. That man never ceases to amaze me! The inner workings of his brain is a scary place!

So, Scott came home on Aug 28 with a bike rack for the truck. It just made me so happy that he's already getting pumped for next year's Challenge! Stay safe everyone and do what makes you happy!!!!

Get er done!

I increased my goal to 1000km last week (once I was fairly certain I could do it!), and got there today. Pretty chuffed, not as sore as I was 1st week, but 'Saddle bag Sue', 'That'll Dewar' and 'Grandma Numb Bum' seem like appropriate nick names. Already getting a bit sorry we are nearing the end of August!

This challenge is such a great motivator for me, such a worthwhile cause, such a supportive organization so good at bringing people together. It pushes me to get out there and pedal my arse around the beautiful Ottawa Valley. Cycling really is my happy place (minus the trucks, the wind, the worms, the roadkill, the potholes, the construction, the trucks, the construction...). Scott says I really do 'Hee Haw' around the house during the challenge. Guess he's right! Hoping this old gray mare can get her sidekick out for one more ride before Sept! Yee Haw!

Why, is it windy?

'I don't think you're going to enjoy a ride today!' said my sidekick, as he toddled off to his favourite activity, chainsaw in hand. And you thought it was biking!🤣

Well, he was mostly right, although the tail winds were delicious, just not long enough! Those gusts almost got me riding on a diagonal angle. Out to Ashton, CP, Almonte and home on some dirt roads. Hallelujah, amen.

Of all the rides I've done this year, I've only seen one other GCC jersey, until today. A rider went by me, said 'Nice shirt' and kept going. Not only did he have the current jersey, but also bright orange cycling shoes AND GCC socks to match! Very classy, even if a bit too coordinated for me! Good thing I don't have any more electrical tape on my handlebars, right? 🤪

Today was a 'If I see someone going faster than me, I assume they're not going as far' kind of day. Guess every other cyclist was doing a sprint then!😉

Guess that adrenaline rush I had wasn't due to being stronger, but really from a tailwind on a slight downhill. Rats.

Guess that DQ Blizzard I had really did go straight to my hips.

Guess that 'May the wind be always at your back' saying is just a cruel Irish prank.

But glad I went, even more glad to be home. Like this sign in Carleton Place, along the CT trail (beside a bicycle friendly brew house btw!).

Code Rd/Tennyson loop de loop!

Thanks to the amazing donations that are still coming in, I have surpassed my previous best fundraising amount!!! That is a definite cause for celebration right? So no whining, no ranting, no complaining, no swearing (I'll try!). Just a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation, and hope for these children. Indeed, a beautiful day! Thank you!💕🚴‍♀️🌞

Back in the saddle!

It was such a picture perfect August day today, just had to get back in the saddle. And although my pardner was trying to lure me to the dark side (motorcycle), I gleefully declined, mounted up and headed out! Black Velvet (my trusty steed) was very happy!

One would think that 5 days off would rid the body of any aches and pains, but no. Upon point of contact, all the creaks and groans returned. Did I complain? Goodness no (quoting Pete the Cat here!). It helped that I was sporting my brand NEW Superhero jersey today. A huge HUGE shout out to my very kind 'family' of sponsors who have once again, gone above and beyond by generously supporting this worthwhile cause.

Some observations from today. I know I'm slow (at cycling). The tortoise, not the hare, and OK if others pass me. I'm sorry, Kevin, it's true. However, as I was heading north out of CP on Ramsay 7, a fellow cyclist whizzed past me. No bell. No yell. No 'On your left' call. No hello. Returning on Appleton Sd Rd, a group of 3 cyclists ripped past. Not a sound, except for my exclamation of surprise, which may have sounded like swearing! But another cyclist, even older than me (I hope!) called, came up beside me, we joked about an approaching garbage truck, and he sped off. It seems many people have lost the ability or desire to slow down. Seriously?

On other, more positive notes, saw a van go by today, covered in plaid detailing, advertising McKinlay Plumbing, and their slogan? 'The pipes are calling'. Made me laugh!

We also got a couple of rides in on le P'Tit Train du Nord back in July. They have always done a great job marking potholes and trouble spots. Whoever did that job this year would be the one I would hire...compared to the one who wrote on a street in Almonte! All about attitude!

Made it!

Wasn't going to go out today after yesterday's adventure; my body parts said 'no' but my heart said, 'Don't just think about it, do it, do it, do it!' (That's for you, Cathy!!). And my bike reminded me I only had 11km to go to reach my goal. She's bossy like that!

So 49km later, I've passed my goal of 700km. I'll keep biking, cause why wouldn't I, but can relax a bit. Still have some routes on my 'bike-it' list yet to do, and 'miles to go before I sleep'.

Decided to do one of my favourite routes today to Appleton; it used to be my default go-to, but realized I hadn't done it yet this month. It has nothing to do with that large brown snake that emerged right beside my bike last year, honest. Someone is doing a really lovely job restoring that old general store that burned down a couple of years ago.

Have made up a bit of a Cycling Connections Puzzle for you, not sure this will work, but if so, look for 4 groups of words that are connected to each other. Prize to first one who gets it right! Think you have to copy and paste it into new browser. I think!

https://connectionsgame.org/game/?VQJRX3

Metric Century Ride!

So, my pit crew offered to drop me off in Ashton this morning to avoid truck traffic, then he buggered off! It did keep me off Dwyer Hill, but it also gave me a false sense of achievement. In less than 20 min I was in CP, another 20 I was in Almonte. Whoosh! Had to keep going to Blakeney, then I HAD to go to Pakenham, right? Construction and noise at the bridge wasn't terribly relaxing, so up that hill back towards Almonte.

The worst part of the ride were the dump trucks along Dwyer Hill, but I expected them. Detoured down Bleeks to Munster Rd, and that's where that flatbed passed way too close. You may have heard my cursing 🤬

Home finally, to an ice pack and a cuppa. 11km to go!!!

Yowzaa!

So many shout outs to give!! I was completely blown away (almost speechless!) by how many people sponsored me yesterday, on Kick Cancer's Butt Day. Donations were flying in, starting at 6:30am, right up til midnight. These were matched by the Garron Family of Toronto, which added another $790 to my total, bringing it to over $4200! I cannot thank ALL of my sponsors enough, from the bottom of my heart (which is in much better shape than the other bottom!). And thank you to those who have shared my page, I'm hearing from your contacts! Such great news for Sick Kids. Here's to continuing that fight together.

Sharing Scott's reaction to my suggestion we go for a ride today...

Tennyson Rd loop!

You know it's hot when the fruit gummies in your jersey pocket have melted into one big squishy puddle. When loose dogs don't even attempt a bark, let alone a chase. When the sight of a dairy cow makes you think of the Dickie Dee ice cream cart. When you consider introducing yourself to strangers who have a backyard pool...another scorcher, another early start, but this time I had my favourite cycling partner! Yea Scotty!!!😁

I love this loop, past Mississippi Lake, beautiful barns, stone fences, wooden rail fences, apple trees, but best of all, that shade on Tennyson, delicious!

I usually notice the variety of colours this time of year, the goldenrod, the invasive but pretty purple loostrife, the white pops of Queen Anne's lace, the neon oranges of the construction pylons, the reds of the Tim Hortons cups in the ditches! Grrrr! My 2 year old grandson doesn't know that's called litter, he just points and says, 'Rude'!

Short and sweaty!

Somewhere between R Tate McKenzie's 'Joy of Effort' and 'Its not the heat, it's the stupidity', I got out for an early ride this morning.

Something very refreshing being out in the earlier hours for a solo ride, until that drip of sweat rolls down your nose. Not even 8:30 yet!

Something very satisfying using your own steam to go where you want, how fast (or slow) you want, how far you want. Until you see that detour sign.

Something very worrying about the song Scott got stuck in my head...he asked:

Where ya going to go?

Whatcha going do?

Why you look-a so glad,

It's a nice-a place,

Ah, shaddap-a you face!!!

Torture!