Thunder Bay to Pancake Provincial Park

Thunder Bay to Nipigon...

Trip Stats: https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/user/calendar/item/analyze.ftl?id=158070394&r

I had great tailwind to Nipigon, so I was able to bike about 30km’s past Nipigon before a nasty storm hailed down on me. We decided to call it a day since we were staying the night in Nipigon with a Rotarian names Sumiye!

Elyse and I drove back to Nipigon and got a bite to eat at Tim Hortons and then met up with Sumiye. Sumiye has many travellers stay at her home. She showed us where we would be sleeping, offered us a shower, and then we called it a night.

 Nipigon to Terrace Bay

trip stats: https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/user/calendar/item/analyze.ftl?id=158353011&r

The next morning, I woke to strong head winds that had built their strength through the night; however, I hopped on my bike and plugged away to Terrace Bay. Today’s route was filled with hills but it was not a huge distance so I pedalled away and ended up passing two cyclist who were heading to Halifax.

 My chain is skipping in the gear I comfortably climb hills in, so I have been forced to choose another gear. I’ve been to TWO bike shops to have this issue looked at, and I now appreciate how good of a bike mechanic James from Revolution Bicycle Shop is. I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM ALONG!!

I arrived in Terrace Bay and was greeted by Dean, who had helped organize our accommodations for the evening…a complimentary stay donated by Linda and Frank, owners of the Imperial Inn…..here is the website: http://www.driftersimperialmotel.ca/

I wasn’t even aware this room had been donated, but I want to thank my Aunt Liz for contacting Dean and setting up this comfortable stay.

Terrace Bay to White Lake Provincial Park

trip stats: https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/user/calendar/item/analyze.ftl?id=158353052&r

The Facebook link to our album:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.250834638353135.37621.162105320559401&type=1

This morning I toyed with the idea of being on the road at sunrise to get a jump start on the wind, but I looked out the window, in hopes of a favourable wind, and was greeted with a flag that was blowing full force in a dreadful direction. Because Lake Superior had other plans for me, I checked the forecast once again and decided I was better off sleeping the morning away. The winds were supposed to diminish as the day progressed-a drop from 25km/h to 15km/h winds was enough to tuck myself back in bed and force myself to sleep.

I am trying the thing positively about having strong headwinds, but I have not been able to come up with anything. In a previous post, I stated I actually look forward to climbing hills because they generally allow me to view spectacular sights I know I would miss sitting in a vehicle. Wind just ferociously taunts me, like having to deal with a schoolyard bully; I wish I had some control over the situation, but I accept my role as the victim and prepare for the pain and punishment about to be thrown my way.

We were on the road by approximately 10am, because I procrastinated like mad today.

I met up with Troy Adams and his buddy Kevin, who were waiting for my arrival to Marathon. Troy is currently running across Canada for brain injury awareness, and we have been looking forward to crossing paths, ever since we discovered we were embarking on similar missions.

Troy is my second cousin, but I met him for the first time when I attended his fundraising event a week before he started his run. I couldn’t believe that we had never met each other, but something in the gene pool has connected us in ways too similar to imagine. I admire Troy for running across the country it was nice to spend the afternoon talking about our travels.

6pm rolled around and I still had another 60 or so km’s to cover before arriving to camp, so I said my goodbyes, grabbed my raingear out of our crammed van, and waved to the gang as I pedalled away.

 

Elyse couldn’t comment how nice it would be to have an RV, like Troy, with a bathroom and kitchen on board, but we both agreed I am still pretty spoiled for cycling with a support van. 

I arrived to White Lake Provincial Park around 8:30pm, cooked some pasta, and crawled into my sleeping bag for the night.

White Lake Provincial Park to Wawa

trip stats: https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/user/calendar/item/analyze.ftl?id=158353054&r

Up at 6…snooze ‘till 7 & then waste even more time making pancakes….why you ask? Because pancakes seem to pack a whack load of energy and are much easier on the taste buds than powdered milk and plain Cheerios, and I was tired today and thinking the extra energy would be appreciated later.

White River is just outside White Lake Provincial Park and is home to a childhood hero-Winnie the Pooh! A Canadian soldier got an orphaned bear cub here before departing to Europe and named it Winnipeg, after his home town. During WWI the bear ended up at England’s London Zoo, where it became popular and famous in the fictional tale. Neat eh!!!

White Lake to Wawa is about 120km and I had gloomy skies, enormous headwinds, and rain accompany me for the entire way. My left knee was under an excruciating amount of pain today and I was unable to apply much pressure on it at all, so I was forced to accommodate for this little annoyance. Although my knee was a slight nuisance today, I figured it would be fine after a rest day in Wawa.

The craziest thing about today was that the ride to Wawa is a relatively simple route and with the right conditions, would be a very fast ride; however, my most dedicated roadside companion stuck with me around every corner, blowing bone-chilling gusts of wind in my face, severely lowering my average speed, and testing my lactic filled quads for all they were worth.

I know there is nothing I can do about the wind pushing against me but I can’t believe how much more difficult my daily duty becomes when I wake up to a flag like this, blowing in my face.

One lesson this wind is teaching me is that what doesn’t kill you, doesn’t kill you! I mean, in the long run, all this headwind nonsense will probably make me stronger BUT it also weakens my legs for the days to come….blah, blah, blah…that’s my rant for today!!!!

Putting My Thoughts On Paper

One of the hardest questions I think someone can ask is:  “What is one word that describes you”

I feel I can confidently reply: “DETERMINED”

I have been told many times about the importance of writing down my goals, but I have never fully understood how to do this in a way that worked for me. I am a perfectionist, so I find setting goals can be detrimental, because I chalk it up as a failure if I don’t reach the goal.

The aspect I have been missing is that goals are something to aspire to attain. It is about the means to an end as much as it is about the goal itself. Today it clicked; years of stressing out about not obtaining a goal could have been eliminated by added flux to each goal.

John Davidson, the guy who pushed his kid across Canada to in an incredible feat called Jesse’s Journey said something like, “ I could probably forgive myself if I didn’t succeed in running across Canada, but I probably couldn’t forgive myself if I had never set out to try.

Before I left, I skimmed through the book he wrote those words caught my eye. BUT here is what I thought: I couldn’t forgive myself for not trying to bike across Canada, but I would also consider it a fail if I didn’t successfully complete the journey how I had originally planned. I truly believed if I didn’t make it across the country, I would be a complete failure and disappointment to a lot of people.

Something very bad would have to happen to force me to quit this journey; however, I have found I’m by far my most difficult critic. I was stressing out when I couldn’t upload daily blogs to the internet, and I would be very mad at myself when my Polar Watch deleted files because I hadn’t uploaded them to the internet in time (an impossible feat, as there is often no internet).

Today I realized life is a relatively short process where we only have so much time to do what I want to do. I need to keep setting challenging goals for myself, but I need to be constantly re-evaluating these goals….Reasonable, practical, and positive goals are what I need to set my sights on. My determination is almost too strong, and I need to make sure my determination doesn’t drive me mad.

   

Uploading daily blogs is out of the question, but I will upload them when I can. When I receive angry emails from someone criticizing how I am handling this ride….I will ask them, “What are you doing?” I can’t magically create internet access so I am simply going to have to settle for a practical solution….upload them when I can!

I think I will be much happier focusing on “trying”, rather than “having”, to reach a goal. I’m simply going to set challenging goals and settle for trying to achieve them.  Be true to myself and do the best that I can do.

I spent too many years listening to psychology professors speak about genetics and statistics. I was always critical about what they were saying….yes, they are masters of what they study, but I think willpower and determination are two variables way underestimated by the professors who lectured me. If I listened to the physiotherapist, my body would be demolished by now. If I listened to my professors, my genetics would be running my show. But if I forget about all the statistical static I can’t control, and I start focusing on trying to do what I can do, I am confident I can become part of a statistic that I want to be.

Dr. Suess has it all figured out: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...

Stop listening to what others think and listen to yourself… you are the only one who can do what you are meant to do.

Wawa

Trip Stats: https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/user/calendar/item/analyze.ftl?id=158353054&r

We are currently at the Wawa RV campground-Great campsite!! http://www.wawarv.com/

Thunderstorms and rain have been keeping us confined to our two-man tent, and we are looking forward to getting back on the road tomorrow. The rain is refreshing and the weather at night is dropping to 15 or so degrees Celsius, making for comfortable fall-like sleeping weather!

I want to thank everyone who has donated, because you have brought Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope to 75% of the way to the $50 000 goal. It is truly incredible to witness the goodwill of Canadians (and the US neighbours we have met on our trip). T.E.A.M is the heart of this cause…together we can unite to make a difference! A connected community of lots of people working against PD!!!

"Contribute to life rather than merely borrowing from it and strive to make it a better place to live." 
           -Anonymous author

I also want to thank the people who are emailing us about the ways they can help!

There is going to be a big bash at Moose Wanooskies in Kitchener, ON Tuesday August the 14^th for anyone who wants to join. I have been looking forward to this day ever since I got an email from Shelley, saying a three year old boy named Lyncoln will be there to join me on my ride. Here are the details for the event:

EVERYONE WELCOME: details for our Cycle of Hope event coming up in Kitchener on Tuesday, August 14th.

The event is taking place at Moose Winooski’s, Sportsworld Crossing, 20 Heldmann Rd Kitchener.

BBQ for all!!! 

Moose Winooski’s has generously donated the bbq for us which will begin at 3:30 pm. BBQ is free, but we are accepting donations which will be directed to Cycle of Hope. All family members, friends, etc should meet at this location.

Please Join!!!

All cyclists will meet me at the intersection of Speedsville Rd and Maple Grove Rd at 3:00 p.m. where we will get assembled to ride in. We have a police escort as this can be a busy stretch of highway at this time of day. We will be leaving this spot at 3:30 p.m. heading down Maple Grove Rd to Sportsworld. It is approximately a 15 minute ride and we need to be at Sportsworld by 4:00 pm for the formalities.

Another Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope fundraiser is in the plans at the Wyoming Foodland. The Minielly family is organizing a BBQ on the 18^th so if you can make it out that way, please do!!!! Thanks Mr. & Mrs. Minielly!!!!! I will make sure to keep you posted on the details about times etc!!!

Other than that, I always love to get encouraging emails and please keep telling people about Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope!!!

Wawa to Pancake!

Trip Stats: https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/user/calendar/item/analyze.ftl?id=158516017&r

150kms of hills and headwind lurking around every corner. I’ve been cycling through 20km/h+ headwinds whistling directly on my face since Nipigon, but today my attitude changed.

As I push my body through energy demands, I grow with each pedal stroke. I was getting caught up with how difficult each day was, because I know I can go so much faster when the wind is behind me. Today I realized I have put my entire heart and soul into Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope because it is something I truly believe in.

The world bustles onward without me, my classmates are being hired, and someone else is earning my usual summer wage; however, Parkinson’s Cycle of Hope creates the opportunity to help someone other than myself. An intrinsic reward that can’t be beat!

The other day Troy and I were discussing the “Nay Sayers” who didn’t and still don’t believe in us. The pessimistic people in the world who want their opinions to matter; The people telling us that everyone bikes across Canada and that it isn’t a big deal, or that Terry Fox has already ran it.

I have literally put everything I own into this ride, as has Troy. Our families and friends have stepped up to the plate more than we could ask for, and people we don’t know are connecting with our goal…I don’t agree that everyone does what we are doing. We are putting bodies through the extreme because we believe in providing the possibility of a better future.

I don’t know what my limits are, but I know I am willing to reach and exceed them if you are willing to do what you can!

I’m currently uploading these blogs from a little coffee shop in Lions Head, ON, and I will be cycling to Owen Sound ON today to meet a great crew of people at the Owen Sound Farmers Market at 4. Hope to see you there!!!

PS. Don’t forget about the event Tuesday at Moose Wanooskies! I have a huge day of biking to go from Owen Sound to Moose Wanooskies in time for this event BUT I WILL BE THERE SO I HOPE YOU WILL BE!

I will upload the remainder of my days soon!