I write this mid-August update with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am thrilled that my family, friends, and colleagues are so supportive of my fundraising to fight kids’ cancer. My donation goal was $2000; I have now received over $3000! On the other hand, my ride goal of 100 km is stalled at 48 km.
The sciatica I’ve been dealing with for months has been acting up. At the beginning of August I was doing well and now I can barely walk. But I’m taking things a day at a time and hope to get in a few more kilometers before the end of August. If nothing else, this experience has given me an idea of what the ups and downs of cancer treatment can feel like to a family.
I’d like to give a shout out to another Great Cycle Challenge rider, and work colleague: Shay Pitcher! This is Shay’s second year as a participant. You can follow the stories of what she notices on her rides at https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/riders/ShayPitcher
If you’ve been thinking about making a donation and are waiting for the right time……wait until next Wednesday August 13! That’s “Match Day”, when online donations are matched.
I won’t be riding for the next few days. The weather is just too hot and humid for this old body to deal with. :( So I’ll be resting up, getting ready to take on the remaining 52 km of my challenge later in the week.
August 6, 2025
Since I’m not doing longer rides this year it’s easy to get out for 10 km or so after dinner. The air is cooler. Today it carried the scent of newly ripened corn.
My sciatica is acting up and it would be easy to say “oh, I’ll just ride another time”. And then I realize that I can put up with a bit of pain in hopes that children like Beckett won’t have to experience the pain of dealing with cancer.
Today’s critter count:
1 small yellow bird, possibly a finch
A group of turkey vultures enjoying a takeout meal. Today I learned that a group of feeding turkey vultures is called a wake.
I added another 10 km today, for a current total of 37 km, with a trip down “Memory Lane” in Constance Bay where I lived for about 10 years. There are usually some great views of the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills on the Quebec side but haze from wildfires across Canada kept the visibility poor. I’m glad for the electric motor I had installed on my bike a couple of years ago so I don’t have to breathe so hard going uphill.
My amazing sponsors and supporters, some of whom have followed me since I started this challenge in 2019, help keep me motivated. Your donations, likes, and waves are always appreciated!
Today’s critter count:
2 black squirrels (I’m surprised I didn’t see more; Constance Bay is full of the acorns they love)
1 male deer, his little antlers covered in velvet
Day one of my cycle challenge to help fight kids' cancer! With 2 rides today, I'm 17 km on my way towards my 100 km ride goal. Nicer weather made for a couple of pleasant rides.
I'm keeping track of the wildlife I see when I'm riding. Today's critter count:
1 chipmunk
1 raccoon family: Mom and 4 littles
It's been awfully hot and muggy here for days. I've had 2 short rides (morning and evening). I sure hope things cool down before August.
How do I decide on a distance to challenge myself with? Well, the first year I thought "if I ride 10 km a day for 20 days in the month, that's 200 km, so I'll make that my goal." And that seemed to work.
This year I've had some physical setbacks and am still working on stamina so shorter rides it is.
July 8. First ride of the season. I've had some physical challenges this year and it felt good to back on my bike. I keep in mind the challenges faced by kids who have cancer, and their families.