August 7, 2025 - Day 7

Late day ride today as the munchkin did a sleepover and then a ride home this afternoon! But the ride must go on so after dinner I headed out for 11.8 km to add to my total, making 111.1 km or 37% of my riding finished….and it’s only the end of week one!

So that makes 37% of my riding and 34% of my fundraising achieved! I will keep cycling and hope YOU will keep donating, to help the kids fighting cancer! While a date has not been set for Match Day, I did read somewhere that there will be a Matxh Day, so if you want your donation to have a bigger impact on my ride, save your donation for Match Day! I will post the date as soon as it is released by GCC….and there are a few cool prizes as incentive to make your donation on that date! WATCH FOR IT!

August 6, 2025 - Day 6 -Thames Valley Parkway Ride

Last night I had the opportunity to bike the Thames Valley Parkway in London, Ontario. It was a very pleasant ride along a trail that was scenic, mostly flat, and all paved. There were many people on the trail, walking, scootering, biking and rollerblading. Our group was not large, but included 4 GCC riders, and two tag-alongs who just wanted to ride. Despite my RELIVE video indicated I only rode 19.8 kilometers, the actual ride was 23.4 by a couple of the other riders....the hazards of not "resuming" the ride after taking stops for pictures,.....and ice cream! We stopped at DISTRICT in London, and had the best raspberry/lemon sorbet! We started riding shortly after six and finished at nine, with lots of stops in between.

So, for me, the riding is just the fun part, but really, this is ALL ABOUT RAISING MONEY FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER! Donations to my ride are always welcome, and I have seen a post stating that MATCH DAY will happen, but that an actual date has not been decided as yet. Making your donation on MATCH DAY, will have a larger impact on my totals, so please feel free to do your donation on that day. Watch my Facebook page, where I will post what day will be designated as such. If you want a reminder the day before, please message me, and I will add you to the list of people to reach out to on that day!

August 4, 2025 - Day 4

Out for a shorter ride today, as I found my biking legs once again! The weather was good for riding, however, the air quality isn't great. I collect another donation and added a few more kilometers. So far 65.6 of 300 kilometers completed! I might get out to do another ride a bit later today to get to 25% of my ride total! Keep the donations coming. Everyone, regardless of size, is greatly appreciated, and helps in the fight to help kids fighting cancer!

August 3, 2025 - Day 3 - Hamilton Group Ride

This morning we headed to Hamilton so I could join a group ride there. I must say, it was a fun ride, but I suspect that my longer biking days are coming to an end. I could definitely tell the difference between last year and this year, doing this ride. Perhaps my niche is fundraising more than biking. I am thankful that I am only committed to doing 300 kilometers this year and I am quite certain I won't be signing up for any 40 km rides this year. It's always fun to be together with other GCC riders, so I will have to just go on shorter rides I guess. I wonder whether age might play a role in the struggle for riding this year?

August 2, 2025 - Day 2 - No Speed Records Broken

All I can say is that it's good this is not a race like Tour de France! Biking and stopping to chat along the way, is not a speed race for sure, but it's always great to be able to share with people on my path, about Great Cycle Challenge, and why we do this ride in the first place. It was a beautiful morning for another ride today, so, currently I have finished 10% of my riding goal, and 34% of my fundraising goal. I am waiting to hear whether GCC will announce a MATCH DAY again this year! If they do, that's the day your donation will have a bigger impact on my fundraising goals. If you want to be included on a list of people who want to be reminded about a potential Match Day, just message me and I will add your name to the list. If and when it happens, I have some cool opportunities for you. Without giving away too much, let me just say that if you enjoy boats, water and eating, you will not be disappointed......and that's just one of the three prizes available. If it should happen that there is NOT a Match Day this year, I will pick a date closer to the end of August, and award the prizes on that day, for anyone who makes their donation on the specified date....the prizes WILL be awarded. Just keep watching my page as well, to see what's happening in the GCC world. I try to post regularly, just to keep everyone up to date!

August 1, 2025 - Day 1 of GCC

Well folks, today is the day....I start to do my biking for GCC today. This morning I got out for a shorter ride, but it felt good to get out on the bike. I cycled 12.8 kilometers in 36 minutes. I knew something was not right with my brakes, so a quick call to Pedal Power in Woodstock, and Brian said to bring it in and he would have it ready for tomorrow....whew, thank goodness, since I am doing a group ride in Hamilton, and I know the hill through the golf course definitely requires good brakes. A quick trip to drop off sponsored baby hats at the hospital and then back to the bike shop. Thank you to Brian for getting me in and out on the same day! I don't even have to miss a day of riding. As always, donations are being accepted throughout the month of August, while I ride, and YOU donate! We can all do our part!

July 30, 2025

Well, the fundraisers are all finished for now….the 50/50 board has a winner and the winner has graciously donated his winnings back to the GCC cause! Thank you Matthew for your generosity and always giving me opportunities to reconnect with you! Grade two at Harris Heights is definitely way back in the rear view mirror, but you continue to be my friend and support me in so many ways!

You’re a great guy and I love that you always take the time to listen and encourage me in whatever I plan next!

July 23, 2025 morning ride

While I have been busy with fundraising stuff for Great Cycle Challenge, I have not been out on the bike as much as I should have been, but this morning looked like a good day to head out for a ride. After all, it's just over one week that the riding starts to count, and I need to do 300 kilometers during the month of August. It went well though, I biked to Governor's Road and back and around the little block, so got 9.2 kms - and a donation to the 50/50 board, so THANK YOU Carson Benko for your support!

June 25 2025

Well today was a day with not much wind, and according to the weather man, cooler than the last few days! I think he might have gotten that wrong though, because after seventeen point four kilometers of biking, I was DONE! I suspect that I might not be able to do a lot of long rides anymore....maybe just too old to do them anymore. I had already lowered my kilometers to 300 for the month of August, but my fundraising goal remains the same! So I might not be able to bike as far anymore, but I am still confident in my ability to fundraise, so, for anyone who has not donated to my ride, and you wish to help in the fight against childhood cancer, please click on the link at the top, and follow the prompts to make your donation! Together we can make a difference for the kids fighting cancer. Any amount, $5, $10, $20......whatever you feel it is worth, to make a difference for the kids, will be greatly appreciated, and receipted by Sick Kids Foundation, often within half hour of making your donation!

June 23, 2025

Whew! It was a hot one today so obviously not out on the bike on a day like today! But, it was a great day nonetheless. I tried to hide out in air conditioned spaces just to be able to have a certain level of comfort!

I spent the morning at home in the comfort of the a/c, got into an a/c car and headed to the a/c bank! Then, shortly before lunch, I headed up to the hospital to visit a friend so again in a climate controlled area! Back in the a/c car and paid a short visit to one of my supporters and got another donation to help the kids! Talking out on his driveway at noon hour proved to be the hottest part of my day, but the donation was worth the heat….thank you James! Back home for some lunch and then off to Monkey Bum Creations to pick up my GCC T-shirt (I am pleased!) and then off to London to see about the new glasses (getting new glasses is really a crap shoot to get the right ones that work for you) but at least the place is air conditioned!!!! Back home in the a/c car and stopped off to see one of my great supporters at his office and got him on the wheel! Three of the other people in the office heard about the wheel, and after explaining how it worked and what they could win, voila….three more names on the wheel!

ARE YOU ON THE WHEEL ALREADY?

Then headed home and discovered that the pool was at 80 degrees so no second guessing about whether I needed to go for a swim! Even after all the a/c today, the pool felt great! All in all, it was a great day today! One more day of extreme heat and then things cool down….to 27 degrees!

June 11, 2025

We have been having so much wind lately….and then if it’s not windy, it’s raining! Neither of these scenarios lend themselves to biking🥲. With that being said, fundraising can happen in all kinds of weather!☀️☔️🌬️💨. The Shop Local Plus fundraiser has wrapped up now, with another happy winner! Today I rolled out the last of the fundraisers! The Southwest Oxford Plus Tour package launched today, four days ahead of schedule and has some fantastic stuff in the package! Check it all out on the post pinned to my timeline and hurry to get in on this fundraising initiative!

It’s all to raise money to help the kids fighting cancer!

June 5, 2025

Can we just say we have been having a lot of strange weather lately?! Rainy, cool (cold) days, and when the weather is nice, the wind has been horrendous. Oh well, the goal is always raising funds, more than cycling. We will get there to be sure! Four hundred kilometers in 31 days should be doable!

Now, on to the fundraising.....THERE ARE ONLY FIVE DAYS LEFT IN THE SHOP LOCAL PLUS FUNDRAISER.....IF YOU ARE NOT ON THE WHEEL YET, AND WANT TO PARTICIPATE, GET YOUR $25 TO ME BEFORE JUNE 10, 2025 AT NOON HOUR. THE DRAW WILL HAPPEN LATER THAT AFTERNOON!!!!

Then coming quickly on the heels of this fundraiser, the last fundraiser, THE SOUTHWEST OXFORD PLUS TOUR package will launch. This fundraiser will not disappoint. It has a value of $1629.00 and it could be all yours for just $25.00

June 1, 2025

This last week has been challenging to say the least. I have been under the weather, so definitely no rides happening! But from the comfort of my couch, I am able to do computer tasks! As such, it has come to my attention, that people think there is no room left for them on the SHOP lOCAL PLUS spinner wheel! Folks, I am here to tell you, when wheels are created, the option for 500 names on the wheel exist!!!

While I do not expect to ever sell 500 spots on any wheel, (just think of the kind of funds that would create!) I would love to reach 100 on this wheel! With just 10 days left in this fundraiser, let’s see if we can fill those last ten spots! Prize package is $1446.00, so who wouldn’t want the chance to win that for just $25.00?

One hundred spots sold would equal $2500.00 for kids fighting cancer!

LET’S FILL THIS WHEEL!

May 20, 2025 quick evening ride

So I have not been able to add my RELIVE videos to my GCC page these last few weeks. I reached out to GCC and they couldn't explain it, so next stop, get help from RELIVE to see what changed. After a few emails back and forth, they came up with a solution because they had made a few changes. Hence, even though it was quite cool and extremely windy out, I thought to head out for a quick ride to check it out. Hurray, it works again.....and while out for a very short ride, I was able to secure 3 more spots on the spinner wheel for the SHOP LOCAL PLUS package to raise funds for childhood cancer. I was also able to connect with a new neighbour and have a lovely visit! ARE YOU ON THE WHEEL YET? There is still room for YOU. Currently your odds of winning are 1 in 82, so I would love to get 18 more so I could say I actually filled a wheel to 100 spots. Will it be YOU that makes it happen? Remember, all the money raised, goes to help the kids fighting cancer.

May 11, 2025 - MOTHER'S DAY

Yesterday I was out for an hour or so, to get a bike ride in. The weather was beautiful, and the roads were quiet and peaceful. I haven't been out too much on my bike yet this year, but rest assured, I am serious about doing my 400 kilometers in August. Someone even challenged me to perhaps make 600 kilometers. That might be a stretch for me, but I will try. More importantly though, I am hoping to be able to raise $15,000.00 to help the kids fighting cancer this year. I am hoping that you all will help me reach that goal again this year.

May 2, 2025

While the weather prevented the wheel spin for the second golf package to happen on May 1, 2025 as Sally Creek Golf Course closed early, the plan is now to do it on Saturday, May 3, 2025, still at Sally Creek. So by tomorrow evening we should have a winner.

With that being said, and the interest shown already in the SHOP LOCAL PLUS fundraiser, which was to start on May 15, 2025, I have decided to open it up right away. So, for anyone interested in supporting me in my efforts to raise funds for childhood cancer treatments and research, and wanting the chance to win an awesome INGERSOLL PACKAGE valued at $1,446.00, feel free to get your name added to the wheel!......there's lots of room on the wheel for everyone

April 30, 2025

Tomorrow is the wheel spin for finding out who wins the second golf fundraiser package. I spent the afternoon at Sally Creek Golf Course to gather a few more names on the wheel. Three more names on the golf wheel, and two more on the next wheel which will be the Shop Local Plus wheel. I am so tempted to launch it as it’s an awesome package and quite a few people have already approached me with money to get their name on this wheel! What do you all think, should I wait til May 15th to launch it, or are you just a wee bit curious to see what’s in the next package🤷🏻‍♀️!

Oh, and also I picked up another prize for the Southwest Oxford Plus Tour package which also has some really cool stuff in it! Let me know what you want me to do….release now or wait till May 15th!

I will do it how you want but regardless of release date it will run until June 10, 2025

April 26, 2025

Five more days for the current fundraiser! Are you on the wheel already - then you have a 1 in 42 chance of winning an awesome golf package valued at $1290. Those are decent odds to get some free golfing! If you haven’t nailed down your spot yet, there is still time! Message me to find out how you too can have the chance to win!

Then after a short break I have something special for people to enjoy! Stay tuned to my page for details!

REMEMBER, this is always about raising much needed money for kids fighting cancer, so while the fundraisers are fun and give someone the chance to win an awesome prize package, we do this to give kids the opportunity to live their lives outside of a hospital setting and just be kids like they want to be….healthy, and CANCER FREE!

April 23, 2025

Just another week until the golf fundraiser wraps up and we pick a winner! What!!!! You aren’t in the wheel yet? Hurry to get it on there for your chance to win the $1290.00 package. What you win - passes to 5 different golf courses, passes to a couple of different golf simulators, three months of online golf instructions, AND a 250 ml bottle of maple syrup! Can’t get much sweeter of a deal than that for just $25.00. All that and you would be helping to raise funds to help the kids fighting cancer at the same time! I’m looking forward to hearing from YOU!

April 13, 2025 - first ride of 2025

Yeah what a gorgeous day! Bike is off the trainer (which didn’t prove as productive as I had hoped) but with the sunshine and a balmy 14 degrees, I did my first outdoor ride of the year! So much to remember though….missed taking a water bottle, forgot to turn my music on till half way, forgot to RESUME my ride after stopping to turn my music on…lol. Seriously though, I really did bike to the highway and back so 8.8 km….and the timing was off as well then! Good thing it’s only a training ride!🚴🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻‍♂️🚲🚵

Why do we do this ride? It's always about the kids fighting cancer. Click the link above, if you would like to help in the fight for the kids, and donate to my Great Cycle Challenge ride this year! No matter how small or how large, it all helps for the cause!

April 8, 2025

Another day all about the nerves, but it all went well. This morning I was invited to speak to Sacred Heart Catholic Women's League about my involvement with Great Cycle Challenge. While I don't consider myself a great speaker, talking about something I am passionate about doesn't seem so much like a speech, as it does about sharing information to the community.

At 10 a.m. I met with the ladies in Henderson Hall, and did my first PowerPoint presentation to go along with my speech. The fact that the mic cut out several times, lightened the mood and took away some of the jitters about public speaking.

The hugs I received after finishing, tells me that they appreciated learning more about GCC and what it means for the kids fighting cancer!

The group was small, but the donations were large, so I am very appreciative of all the ladies who attended and made me feel very welcome. This was my practice run for another speaking engagement later in the month, so I am looking forward to sharing information about GCC with another group of ladies in the area.

March 24, 2025

This afternoon my friend Shirley and I headed over to Pine Knot Golf and Country Clu to do the wheel spin for the first golf fundraiser for 2025!

After enjoying lunch upstairs at Mulligan’s Restaurant, we headed downstairs to the Pro Shop to get set up for the wheel spin! It was a fun afternoon and the winner of the fundraiser, Bernice Bentum, was super excited to have won the package! Thanks to 38 people, this fundraiser was able to raise $950 to help the kids fighting cancer! Beginning on April 1st, there will be another golf fundraiser with different courses, some simulator fun, and some online golf lessons, ready to roll out! If golf is your game, be sure to watch my Facebook page for you to have the chance to win the $1290.00 package!

March 16, 2025

It’s been almost a month since I wrote anything in the blog. That doesn’t mean stuff hasn’t been happening though! Donations have been coming in, although still somewhat slow - but it’s still early so hopefully, as the nice weather shows its face, donations will also pick up!

The first fundraiser has finished up and did very well in the fundraising with one lucky person receiving a great prize package!

The first of two golf fundraisers is currently underway, and wraps up on March 21st! If you haven’t got your spot on the wheel for the chance to win the $1237.00 golf prize package, there are a few more days to do so! And if you miss it, there is another golf package coming for the month of April!

Currently the Shop Local Plus package is almost complete and it has lots of cool things in it for someone to enjoy! The Southwest Oxford Tour package is in the process of being built and I’m hoping to make it something you would look forward to winning as well!

But remember, if you aren’t on the wheel, you cannot win the package! So, hurry to get your name on the spinner wheels as they become available! YOU could be a winner and all together we will be helping the kids fighting cancer, as all the funds raised will be donated to Sick Kids Foundation!

LET’S DO THIS!

February 21, 2025

Well, why not…..it’s ready to launch, so the first golf fundraiser is ready to roll out! Today, nine days early, I’m giving you all a bit more time to get on this wheel today!!! Message me or EMT your $25.00 to get your name on the wheel to win this package valued at $1,237.00

February 20, 2025

Do you know what’s coming? SPRING…..yes spring, and along with that comes GOLF season! Get those clubs cleaned up to be ready for the season to begin! I am getting ready to roll out the first of two golf fundraisers in just eight more days! Be watching for it on March 1st!⛳️🏌️🏌️‍♂️⛳️

February 15, 2025

Yesterday was the end of the Hi Step fundraiser and we have a winner!!! Janice Holt won the $1097.00 package and I will get the prize package to her when she returns from the UK in a week or so!

It was a fun day at The Evergreen Coffee Lounge in Ingersoll where my friends Shirley and “Steve” helped with the wheel spin! Steve came in his pyjamas in honour of so many little kids who spend so much of their time in pyjamas while going through cancer treatments!

Today is Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, so if you are able, make a donation to raise funds to help get these kids back into their street clothes and having fun instead of being in a hospital in their pyjamas!

February 14, 2025

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO EVERYONE! Do you know what other day is important tomorrow? Tomorrow is Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, but since it falls on a Saturday, we are going to honour all the kids fighting cancer TODAY.....the day to show your love!

Did you know that children fighting cancer spend a lot of their time in their pyjamas, so let's show support for them by raising a lot of money to help them get back into street clothes and be the kids they want to be!

To that end, TODAY, is the day for the wheel spin for a winner in the current fundraiser I have running. The HI STEP fundraiser has raised $1540.00 .....so far!!! You still have a couple of hours to make your contribution and a chance to win the $1097.00 prize package.

All funds received will be donated to my Great Cycle Challenge ride to help the kids fighting cancer.

HURRY......IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO HELP!

February 7, 2025

Did you make a donation yet? There are seven chances left for you to have the opportunity to win the afghan! Let's get this done, so we can help the kids, and find out who will take home the afghan donated by Stiena Van Boven!

February 4, 2025

Today is WORLD CANCER DAY! This disease has probably touched everyone in one way or another.....you are a cancer survivor, you know someone who has cancer, or know someone who has succumbed to this disease.....it touches us all!

TODAY you can make a difference.....with that in mind, there are ten more days to get your name on the spinner wheel for the HI STEP fundraiser. All proceeds from the fundraiser go to my Great Cycle Challenge ride for cancer, to help kids in this battle.

Wheel spin happens in just 10 days, so get your name on the wheel, and make a difference in the life of a child!

January 27, 2025

I’m happy to let you all know that the interview with Forman, on Heart-FM 104.7 has been made into a podcast! Not as happy that Facebook won’t let me share it with you all🥲. To hear the podcast, go to the Heart-FM 104.7 site and check under podcasts, or message me and I can send it to you!

January 21, 2025

Well that was another productive day at the grocery store! Up early to set up by 9 am and see how the day would unfold! First off, they had woks in stock (only a few but I was able to scoop one for the church kitchen)! Then I got to chat with so many people about GCC and collected a substantial amount of cash for the cause! And my baby hats….well they were a big hit - sold one and had 13 sponsored, so more $$$ to help the kids fighting cancer, while also providing more hats to Woodstock Hospital maternity ward! I need to get busy now to replenish my stock lol! Sold another spot on the HI STEP fundraiser wheel and watched a few more generous donations come in to my GCC page by way of online donations! For such a cold day, it was good to be inside and still be productive! Thank you so much to all who showed up to support in one way or another!❤️

January 20, 2025

It was definitely too cold to be outside on the bicycle today, but I did manage to get out and deliver a few flyers for store windows.

On another note, people have been letting me know that they had heard me on Heart FM 104.7 speaking about Great Cycle Challenge. This had me baffled, as I spoke with "Forman", who informed me that it would end up being a podcast and would air probably later this week. So I checked in with him, and I learned that he has been airing small segments of the interview and current HI STEP fundraiser periodically. He assured me that he would share a link to the podcast once it airs, and when I receive it, I will post it on my Facebook page, so, be watching for that.

In the meantime, don't forget about getting your name on the HI STEP fundraiser wheel to win an awesome prize package.

Or, if you prefer to be on the "Afghan" wheel, make a donation of at least $25 directly on my Great Cycle Challenge page.

There is lots of room for more names on the wheel at this point.

I have had people mention "oh, it's that time already again?" Well, yes, it's always good fundraising time.....cancer doesn't take a break, and so neither do I.

Message me if you require more information about any of the fundraisers, or any other GCC questions.

Let's ALL work together to help the kids fighting cancer!

January 9, 2025

Message today really caught me by surprise….I just registered for GCC 2025 last night and then this, this morning -

“Hey Henrietta, "Forman" here from 104.7 Heart FM in Woodstock - I'd LOVE to spread the word about your Great Cycle Challenge! Would you have a free min to talk over the phone one afternoon coming up?”

Long and the short of it is that on Monday January 13th I will be at the office of Heart FM chatting with Forman about Great Cycle Challenge!

January 8, 2025

I’M BACK!

I am so excited to let you know that registration for Great Cycle Challenge 2025 is open now….and I’m in again! I am excited to get started on fundraising for such a worthwhile cause once again, although I’ve been working the last couple of months to bring you more fun opportunities to help raise funds!