I did it!

Yesterday 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.

August 24 update

I’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.

14.3 km ride - Algonquin Trail towards Braeside - Thursday, August 15, 2024

Thursday’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.

new pavement on Carp Road

It’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”.