Mary McNeill
- National: 577th
- Province: 309th in ON
My Story
Thanks to all of you who’ve asked me if I’ll be participating in the Great Cycle Challenge again this August! Yes I am! This is year number six! I’m thrilled that my efforts have resonated with you.
Funds raised through this month-long cycling challenge go to the SickKids Foundation. The goal is to fund life-saving research to develop safer and more effective treatments, and find cures for all childhood cancers. Cancer is the largest killer of kids in Canada; 27 children are diagnosed every week.
Generous donations from my friends, family, and colleagues in the past five years have raised almost $9000.
Though heat, rain, and recovery from surgery have gotten me off to a late start this year, I’ve challenged myself to ride 150 km during the month of August, and to raise $1500 in donations. As I ride I think of the kids who are fighting cancer. Their challenges are so much tougher than mine! I’m glad to support this cause¬¬—because kids should be enjoying life, not fighting for it!
I would feel honoured to have your support. Check out my Great Cycle Challenge webpage https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/MaryMcNeill where you can follow my progress during August.
To my local supporters: please wave if you see me; it means a lot!
My Legacy
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211 km Ridden$816 Raised2019
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312 km Ridden$1,900 Raised2020
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252 km Ridden$1,416 Raised2021
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251 km Ridden$1,955 Raised2022
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302 km Ridden$2,809 Raised2023
My Challenge
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I did it!
28 Aug 2024Yesterday I rode another 15 km and reached my cycling goal!
My many wonderful supporters helped me surpass my donation goal earlier in August. I truly appreciate your donations, waves, and positive words.
This should be a link to my stats from 6 years of riding Great Cycle Challenge:
https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/riders/137447/statistics-image
I still struggle with the social media challenge.
Posted 85 days ago -
15.3 km ride - Bay of Quinte - Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Logged this ride 86 days ago -
August 24 update
25 Aug 2024I’m doing some catching up on the blog activity. The weather has cooperated this week and I’ve been able to get out riding more. As a result, the reporting has taken a back seat.
What I really notice these days is the wonderful smells that are so hard to describe. Country smells: fields of ripe corn…fresh-cut hay….fresh rain on dry pavement….flowers. And provincial park campground smells: cooking breakfasts….BBQs.
I’m closing in on my ride goal!! Only another 14 km to go to make it to 150. I feel blessed to live in an area with so many scenic and interesting route possibilities. I am intrigued by some of the things I find along the way—like a lot of cutlery (no jokes about “a fork in the road”, please). I’ve been able to return lost keys to their owner because they had a War Amps tag. I couldn’t do the same with the $20 bill hidden in the grass; it became a donation instead.
My wonderful sponsors have donated $1000 beyond this year’s goal of $1500. I am so grateful for all the support and encouragement it’s hard to find the right words.
In the 6 years I have participated in the Great Cycle Challenge I have cycled over 1400 km and raised over $11,000. It didn’t feel like a lot at the time but it sure adds up.
Posted 89 days ago -
$2,500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $2,500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved SUPERHERO LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 89 days ago -
14.1 km ride - cat visit - Saturday, August 24, 2024
Logged this ride 89 days ago -
20.1 km ride - local sights - Friday, August 23, 2024
Logged this ride 90 days ago -
8.3 km ride - Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Logged this ride 93 days ago -
14.3 km ride - Algonquin Trail towards Braeside - Thursday, August 15, 2024
18 Aug 2024Thursday’s ride, on the Algonquin Trail between Arnprior and Braeside, added another 14.3 km to my total. Rail trails are straight and flat and can sometimes get a bit boring without friends for company. Thanks to Pat and Jan for coming part of the way with me. :) This stretch has some interesting scenery along the Ottawa River, plus a steep drop-off to encourage alertness.
The spot where I took this picture captures Canadian transportation history, even if the picture isn’t all that great. On the left — the mighty Ottawa River, original route to and from the Canadian interior. In the middle — the rail route, now repurposed as a recreational trail. And on the right (unseen in the picture but by no means unheard) — the road, with its car and truck traffic.
Posted 95 days ago -
14.3 km ride - Algonquin Trail towards Braeside - Thursday, August 15, 2024
Logged this ride 98 days ago -
new pavement on Carp Road
14 Aug 2024It’s halfway through August and I’ve achieved half of my ride goal. Not only that, but generous support from family, friends, and colleagues means I’ve almost reached my fundraising goal of $1500!
I chose today’s route for my ride so I could enjoy a 6 km stretch of smooth new pavement, and it was indeed a real treat. This is a road I’ve driven many many times over the years and I’m familiar with the hills, the curves, and the views. Doing it by bike is a whole different experience. Going slowly gave me a chance to admire views of the Carp River valley. And I was indeed going slowly—the headwind was a surprise and I have never before had to work so hard to go downhill.
There’s only one train that still runs through here. Most of the tracks have been torn out, and some railbeds have been made into recreational trails. Now when I hear a train whistle my first thought is “oh, today must be Wednesday”. Yes, there’s a train in one of those photos.
I stopped at the Carp branch of the Ottawa Public Library and visited with the “outdoor readers”.
Posted 99 days ago -
$1,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $1,000 to fight kids' cancer and achieved WARRIOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 99 days ago -
12.8 km ride - new pavement! - Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Logged this ride 99 days ago -
August 14 is donation match day!
13 Aug 2024Tomorrow -- Wednesday August 14 -- is a good day to make an online donation to my Great Cycle Challenge and "Kick Cancer's Butt".
Your online donation will be matched by a generous family of supporters.
Posted 100 days ago -
12.9 km ride - Stonecrest School to T Dolan Pkwy - Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Logged this ride 100 days ago -
7.9 km ride - Aug 10 evening - Saturday, August 10, 2024
Logged this ride 101 days ago -
August 9 rainy day
9 Aug 2024Not riding today. The remnants of tropical storm Debby are hitting hard. Got my jersey out for a dance in the rain though.
Posted 104 days ago -
August 7. Finally a beautiful day!
9 Aug 2024This was a morning worth waiting for -- perfect temperature, little wind. I took a little jaunt to the ferry dock, then back up the hill (thanks to Pedal Easy for the electric motor assist added last year!) and continued around some of my favourite roads.
A very enjoyable 21.6 km to put towards my goal
Posted 104 days ago -
August 2 Morris Island
9 Aug 2024Took my mountain bike on a short outing in Morris Island Conservation Area. This is one of my favourite spots at any time of,the year. Being in the shade felt good on a hot day. Getting over the rocks and roots was a struggle, though, so I walked a lot.
Posted 104 days ago -
21.6 km ride - beautiful day touring the neighbourhood - Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Logged this ride 106 days ago -
5.5 km ride - Aug 5 ride. Rain threat - Monday, August 5, 2024
Logged this ride 108 days ago -
3.8 km ride - Gillies Grove, Sunday morning - Sunday, August 4, 2024
Logged this ride 109 days ago -
4.7 km ride - Morris Island in the shade - Friday, August 2, 2024
Logged this ride 111 days ago -
August 1 Beat the Heat morning ride
2 Aug 2024I started this year's Great Cycle Challenge with a 9.8 km ride. Got out early to beat the heat!
My goal is to ride 150 km and raise $1500 to help fight kids' cancers. Every donation helps! Also waves, likes, encouraging comments !
Posted 112 days ago -
August 1 Beat the Heat morning ride
2 Aug 2024I started this year's Great Cycle Challenge with a 9.8 km ride. Got out early to beat the heat!
My goal is to ride 150 km and raise $1500 to help fight kids' cancers. Every donation helps! Also waves, likes, encouraging comments !
Posted 112 days ago -
9.8 km ride - Day 1. Out early to beat the heat - Thursday, August 1, 2024
Logged this ride 112 days ago -
$500 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $500 to fight kids' cancer and achieved GUARDIAN LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 115 days ago -
$250 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $250 to fight kids' cancer and achieved PROTECTOR LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 121 days ago -
$100 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just raised $100 to fight kids' cancer and achieved DEFENDER LEVEL in the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 122 days ago -
July 20
20 Jul 2024Lovely morning for a ride -- nice temperature, little wind, slightly overcast. So what am I doing? Trying to sleep off a COVID infection. :(
Hoping that I'll get better faster if I take it easy.
Posted 124 days ago -
July 15 ride
20 Jul 2024Just a nice summer morning ride. I'm grateful to enjoy doing something I love to do while raising money for an important cause.
Posted 124 days ago
My Sponsors
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Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation
“Here's your matched donation made possible by the generosity of long-time SickKids Foundation supporters, the Garron family. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$575.80Received this donation 98 days ago
Mary
“And a big "thank you" to the Garron family for their continued support”
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Anonymous
$500Received this donation 99 days ago
Mary
“Thank you for your generous donation and continued support!”
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Janeen Harman
“Bike on!...”
$207Received this donation 115 days ago
Mary
“Thank you, Jan, for your continued support. It inspires me to keep going.”
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Shay Pitcher
“Thanks for your support and donation to my ride challenge Mary! You are awesome! Have a great ride again this year!”
$124.20Received this donation 109 days ago
Mary
“Thanks for supporting my challenge and joining GCC yourself!”
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Elizabeth Boudreau
$103.50Received this donation 99 days ago
Mary
“Beth, I truly appreciate your support of my cycle challenge again this year!”
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Mary Bennett
$103.50Received this donation 122 days ago
Mary
“Thank you, Mary! It's wonderful to have your continued support of my efforts!”
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Sarah Mader
“Great to hear you're continuing your pedaling and fundraising this year, Mary! May there be many beautiful rides - and much support for SickKids.”
$103.50Received this donation 100 days ago
Mary
“Thank you for your support and encouragement! The rides are shorter this year to work around the heat and rain. It makes for quite a different experience.”
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Patsy Weir
“You're doing great!”
$100Received this donation 121 days ago
Mary
“Thanks for your support and those encouraging words. The covid has slowed me down but I'll be ready to ride again next week”
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Julia
“Way to go, Mary!”
$72.45Received this donation 101 days ago
Mary
“Thank you for those encouraging words, and your continued support of my challenge.!”
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Rob Fleming
$72.45Received this donation 74 days ago
Mary
“Thanks for your continued support of my cycle challenge fundraising!”
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Anonymous
$51.75Received this donation 99 days ago
Mary
“Thank you for your support of my 2024 cycle challenge.”
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Larry Belcourt
$51.75Received this donation 79 days ago
Mary
“Thank you, Larry, for sponsoring me again this year, and for your encouragement when we meet on your walks”
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Anonymous
“Thank you Mary for your participation in this important challenge.”
$51.75Received this donation 99 days ago
Mary
“Thank you for your support of my 2024 cycle challenge.”
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Anonymous
“Best of luck with this challenge! Hope there's good weather for the rest of August!”
$51.75Received this donation 105 days ago
Mary
“Thank you for supporting my Great Cycle Challenge efforts, and helping to make a difference in the fight against kids' cancers!”
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Lori Fielding
“Rock on Mary!”
$50Received this donation 99 days ago
Mary
“Thanks, Lori! Your support and encouragement helps me keep going. I'm glad you like the fb posts, too”
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Anonymous
$40Received this donation 100 days ago
Mary
“I truly appreciate your support. It's good to know I can do something I love to do and raise money for a worthy cause.”
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Anonymous
$40Received this donation 99 days ago
Mary
“I truly appreciate your support. It's good to know I can do something I love to do and raise money for a worthy cause.”
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Heather
“Go mom!”
$36.23Received this donation 99 days ago
Mary
“Thanks, Heather! Good to know my family is with me on this!”
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Sue Larmour
“Well done Mary!”
$36.23Received this donation 95 days ago
Mary
“Thanks, Sue! It's been tougher to keep up my motivation this year. I'm really grateful for all the interest and support.”
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Anonymous
$30Received this donation 95 days ago
Mary
“Thank you for supporting my ride! Good to see you and compare cycling notes”