Challenge Complete!

Another August come and gone and my 9th GCC complete. I achieved both personal challenges and this year was my highest fundraising total which I’m thrilled about!

Thanks to you, my friends and family for supporting this important cause and cheering me on along the way. My gratitude grows throughout the month by your generosity as I ride for kids across Canada who can’t. I look forward to next years GCC and count on me reaching out for your support. You help me make a difference!!

Wine Country Trails

Sunday morning we loaded our bikes and headed off on an anniversary getaway. It was a big one this year, our 25th!

Our kids gifted us a night’s stay at a beautiful B&B along the wine route in Essex County. I bought Epic Wine Tasting Passes which allowed us to venture off and stop at 6 different wineries in the county. There were 12 places for us to choose from so we picked them according to location and the energy we had for biking from one to another, also considering wineries we’d been to before. Although we didn’t bike as far as I would have liked, it was terrific! We stopped for dinner on route and watched the sun go down before even checking into our suite.

The weather was perfect both days and ended in our last stop being a lovely celebration with family and friends. It was an anniversary weekend Mark and I will remember for years to come ❤️

Friday Nite On Wheels

Fall is in the air! it’s been a nice change biking this past week with the cooler temps. Tonights ride was a fun cruise, starting at Windsor Eats and riding through Walkerville and the downtown area. A smaller group than usual but still a good time!

Looking forward to connecting with another GCCer this weekend as I peddle towards the finish line. Enjoying the ride 🚲

Windsor Riders

This is Tom, we met on the trails this month and went for a ride last night. We talked as much as we biked but if you know me, that’s no surprise! I learned there are 192 riders from Windsor/Essex County in this year’s GCC. I’m planning to organize a big group event next year. I think it would be awesome to connect with more people riding for the same purpose and share experiences from over the years. Meeting Tom and Tracey this month was great - I ride well on my own but it’s a lot of fun connecting with others throughout the challenge. It’s a terrific sense of community and hydration stops are always more fun!!

Final week, still pedaling!

This is it, the last week of summer and of another GCC! I’m happy to have already achieved both my fundraising and ride goals but there’s still a week left and your support motivates me to keep riding!

It’s been great being up in Goulais. A few good rides with awesome temperatures and views. A change of scenery is always refreshing, even on a bike!

Hoping to rack up some more kms and donations when I get back home. I’m thankful for my health and energy that allows me to participate and grateful for your generosity and support 🧡

Northern Air

I was up with the sun this morning, enjoying the sights and sounds that camp life brings. A coffee and a good book is how I like to start my day here while the others sleep in or are out for the catch of the day!

I pumped up the tires of my old bike and took it for a spin last night. The roads have improved since I rode here last, the stretch I biked was freshly paved which made it easier than I expected, but I still had to work twice as hard for half the distance with that old clunker. But it serves its purpose so I’ll keep it.

We have company coming today but I’ll try to get out again in the coming days. After all, I’m on the home stretch and this northern air isn’t only good for sleeping, it’s great for riding too!!

Going Strong, Feeling Good!

After this mornings ride (which ended in light rain), I’ve biked 683 kms this month. I’m close to reaching my biking goal and thanks to your generosity, I’ve already passed my fundraising goal!

I put a donation jar at Sidelines Sports Bar in Forest Glade where my daughter works. I stopped in yesterday for a pint on my way home and saw that patrons are giving, this is great. Every bit helps, even spare change!

I’m heading North today for a week so I won’t be cycling as I would if I were at home but I’ll finish strong the last few days of the month when I return and complete my kms.

Oh, and my 2025 GCC jersey arrived which I wore in yesterday!!

Cyclers Shoutout!

Yesterday’s ride out to Belle River was an adventure. Tracey and I met and headed out with the intention to ride there, take a brief rest and head back home by noon. A flat tire caused a delay in that plan but tuned out to be an awesome experience as we met some amazing people because of my tire tragedy! A shout out to George, Marvin, Jim, Lori, Said and Marie who all helped along the way. Lori was an angel on wheels, she tried repairing it with her spare parts but our tire sizes weren’t compatible. Unlike me, she was experienced and shared her knowledge and humour. Mark ended up having to drive out to meet us where we traded off bikes. His for mine so I could finish the return trip. Replacing my tire tube is on the agenda this afternoon but for now, I’ll use Marks bike for my morning ride today. Kudos to Tracey for the great conversation, sticking around til I got it sorted out and making the most of a flat situation 🚲

A HUGE Success!!

Match Day was record breaking this year for Sick Kids through GCC! It’s amazing the difference we can do and it’s because of your support and generosity that it’s possible.

You've helped give these families a reason to smile and more importantly, you've given them hope for a cancer-free future and the support they need to continue their fight to beat this awful disease.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!!

Windsor Riders On The Trails

A long and hot ride to Belle River today. On my way out, I met another local rider named Tracey. She has had incredible success fundraising for Sick Kids and we hope to connect sometime during the challenge for a ride together.

On the way back, I stopped and indulged at DQ to cool off and get out of the heat. Then continued on and stopped in to visit a friend and long time sponsor. Those porch visits are a nice break on route to catch up and rehydrate.

Home briefly to shower before going back out on our bikes and meeting friends for dinner. It was a great day!