Monday 25 June 2012

Ride to Conquer Cancer 2012 recap

Despite “biblical” rains this weekend, nearly 2,000 cyclists rode 230km in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Ride to Conquer Cancer. $8 million dollars were raised in total – lots of money for a good group of people working to alleviate a disease that affects all of us in some way, directly or indirectly.

The FirstEnergy “Road Rockets” contributed well financially, and contributed in spirit well beyond that. Many new cyclists have been following Craig’s progress as a reminder that if they’re feeling sore before the first day’s 125km is up, just think about what it’s like to ride so much more. Or look around until you find a yellow flagged cancer survivor riding along with you and realize that riding with one’s health, even in the rain, is a gift.

The ride itself was predominantly dry for the first say half of the group. Those who finished later did get wet. But for the most part Saturday riding was fine, many people really gear up, but if you’re moving along, just cycling clothes were fine. I rode in with Cindy who had a great ride and who’s cycling is really budding – there were say less than 50 bikes in out of nearly 2,000 when we came in. That big smile helped a lot of people feel better this weekend. The skies behind us came and covered the camp site just a half hour after we finished, we had the rain jackets on just for a few dribbles while riding.

















By the time we were in the dinner tent, we were frustrated that there was no cell coverage as we wanted to call in supplies to start building an Ark. The organizers did a great job of holding their shit together in a situation like this. Food was great, the Steam Whistle kept flowing, and the band was good. Tall tales were told all evening.

Rubberized gear bags and boots were a benefit to those who had them, but it was survivable for those that didn’t. Tents held out most of the water, but everyone had a few drips in by morning. On a multi day trip this would be tougher, but from what I heard everyone woke up warm and with a good rest, and sleeping bags were damp but not soaked through. That’s fine in the grand scheme.























Sunday was overcast but nice riding weather.  I slept in, skipped most of breakfast, and had a banana and half a power bar type thing in the tent, then asked for a pancake on the way to starting and just ate it from my gloved hand.  After discussing hopping on the “pain train” with a co-worker Saturday night, I was a bit late for the start.  He started hammering earlier, in sport of me trying to chase him down.  It’s a fun thing we have going.  I caught him past Turner Valley, and we finished together with him getting a BikingBakke draft for the last 20k.  I haven’t gone hard in two weeks, and with a visible 3 min gap with 10k to go to close, it was an all out effort.  But so fun to get the body working hard.  All in it was a 2h 45min TT, and we caught the other guys who were up front for fun, then just coasted in together (I haven’t forgotten it’s not a race, but I think it’s fair to get a solid workout in at least one day).  Its fun to chase, and it was great in retrospect to get in before a rain cloud blew through, and the bbq’s were just getting fired up.  Plus this way we can see everyone else who comes in.

Cindy’s sisters are proud of her too, they’re good supporters, look at all those smiles!

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