pedal for parkinson's across Canada 2010
a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
We are holding a Party for Parkinsons Fundraiser on July 8th 2011 at 7:30 pm. Join us at the Qualicum Beach Community Hall for an evening of celebration and Parkinson’s awareness.
There will be a silent auction with all sorts of great items, free food and drinks, a cash bar, a 50-50 draw, live background music, a wall of wine, and a slide show of photos from our epic fundraising ride across Canada. Also, two representatives from the BC Parkinson Society will be present, and may speak briefly. But mostly, this is a night to get together with friends, have a great time, and, in doing so, help out a great cause.
The event is being held on Friday July 8th in Qualicum Beach, at the Community Hall (644 Memorial Avenue). Doors open at 7:30 pm.
The entrance fee is $15.00 per person. For this, you receive free food, free drinks and a great night out! Children 13 years of age or younger go free. You can get tickets at the door or from the Mulberry Bush book store in Qualicum Beach.
All along this beautiful country we have met the most interesting people. Some from Canada, some others from all parts of the world just enjoying the beauty we see each day. There have been numerous cyclists with sag wagons or panniers, mini trailers carrying dogs or loaded backpacks all travelling the ribbons of highway stretching across this vast diverse country we call home. Each person we have met has a story. For some it was about being flooded out of their home on the prairie, others it was of loved ones who are also struggling with health issues, and still others just excited to be on holiday travelling from coast to coast. All sharing the experiences they have had.
There are so many kind and generous people to thank – you know who you are. From those who donated campsites and reduced motel rates, monetary donations, kind words, tire repair in Caronport, treats at the B&B in Indian Head – all of you – Thank you so much.
The most precious lessons we are taking away with us from this trip are that we are
- free to enjoy the immense beauty of our homeland,
- healthy enough to realize there are others in greater pain or in more difficulty than we are,
- happy to be able to share our cause and listen as others share theirs,
- and to have had the opportunity to enjoy this experience making new friends and precious memories along the way.
Happy and safe cycling
William (cyclist)
Bruce (cyclist)
Wayne (cyclist)
Audrey (wife, Mom, support)
Teena (wife/support/gallery & blog writer)
We all met on Parliament Hill and did our victory lap around the grounds. It was a powerful moment knowing that we had put our all into this project and succeeded with our goal. We are bidding goodbye to each other as the Copes will return to Qualicum while the Newports will continue on to the Maritimes. A job well done!
Approaching Ottawa.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words……..
Much the same as yesterday but we are one day closer to Ottawa at Yonderhill campsite on Olmstead Lake. Another swim and a few sunrays – ah! Sure beats the roller coaster moguls of the Ontario road system! We have a couple of days to wait for the Copes who are visiting with family and soaking up the last beats of the Elvis festival. The plan is a meeting of the clans on Wednesday morning and a gentle unhurried ride into Parliament Hill.
We gladly exchanged the bike riding for a swim in the Ottawa River at the Morning Mist Campground in Stonecliff– a must stop place if you are ever in this area. Chris and Todd both greeted us to their perfect retreat and shared with us that two members of their family also had Parkinson’s. After hours of VERY rough roads (yet again) we were quite content to just sit on the beach by the river’s edge and watch the sun go down.
A misty, dreary day on the road to North Bay. We found out why hwy#17 was so congested yesterday. Unfortunately there had been a fatal accident on hwy#11 which was closed for over 12 hours. All the traffic was detoured to the #17. Today being Friday was busy as well with lots of holidayers trailing boats etc to their favourite camping spot for the weekend. We are certainly on the home stretch now – just a few more days ride to Ottawa.
Today Hwy 17 from Blind River to Sudbury was a never ending stream of transports and not great road surfaces. A challenge to be sure but Wayne made it and is very glad to be stationary for the evening. The Copes are experiencing a possible culture shock at the Elvis festival in Collingwood. Apparently the world has gathered to celebrate ‘The King’. Thank you, thank you very much.
Copper Cliff smoke stack for Andy.
We are all here in Sault St. Marie. Everyone is going in different directions. Wayne Stremel from Out of the shadows tour is heading south east. The Copes are leaving for the south west Blue Mountains and visits with relatives and the Newports are continuing east on Hwy 17 to Ottawa then off to their reunion. All will hopefully meet back in Ottawa the first week of August to ride to Parliament hill together.
The beauty of this trip is that we all have our goals and we are all reaching them. Whether we are 10 feet or 10 days apart doesn’t matter. We are ‘just doing it’ and enjoying it.
A day at the beach…well a swim at least before we head out to Sault St. Marie 228 kms. Our longest day yet. The jury is still out as to whether we do it all or 2/3 and have a short glory ride into S.StMarie – just depends on the places to stay and the weather – so far so good. Wawa is a beautiful little surprise in Ontario. Has the world’s largest Canada goose (glad she doesn’t land on Fairwind’s golf course). Our campsite hosts at Wawa RV and campground offered us the site as their donation to Parkinson’s. Everyone has been so kind and generous. Wawa has it all from snowmobiling to kayaking, ice carving to fishing derbies. Just add salt to the water and the dunes on the shore of this part of Lake Superior could challenge any Hawaiian beach. 