Plan verses Actual

We all have mixed feelings being completed with our tour.  It was a great experience and leaves us with many good memories (and very few bad ones).  For me, the worst memory of biking will be the day that we rode from Blind River to Espanloa along Hwy 17.  It was raining, the paved shoulders were rough and narrow and the trucks were close!  However, as soon as we got to Espanola and headed South on Hwy 6, that all changed.  Even though it was still raining, the road and shoulders were much improved and the traffic was much reduced.  It ended as a nice ride.  It also shows how the human brain works...   We usually remember the better times and experiences rather than the unpleasant ones.  Its good that it works that way, otherwise we may be afraid to go out in the morning.

Following is our itinerary showing Plan verses Actual.  We still find it hard to believe that we were able to shorten an already aggressive plan and that we were able to ride every day.  We didn't wake up in the morning and say "I don't think that I want to do this today... all over again" (at least not that any of us admitted to the other guys).

In Light of Eternity (Yes we are done)

So when you compare biking from Vancouver to Kitchener to the things that really count in life I think most of us can put a bike ride near the bottom - and that is where it should be.  In light of eternity not very important eh???  The reality of biking for over 200 hours is that it is quite boring, exhausting, daunting, painful and maybe a questionable use of valuable time.  I did get to see much of the country when I took my eyes off the road (with its bumps, glass, wire, stones, cracks, pot holes etc.) There were many times I asked myself, "Why exactly am I doing this??????"  In the more bleak times (cold, rain, hills, wind, lightening, snow and endless dead animals hit by cars) if I had a choice I might have jumped on a plane and headed home.

Yes there is the challenge and sense of accomplishment - having done something quite difficult and seening it through to the end.  There is the quest to remain young (as I grow old) by doing something lots of younger people can't or won't do (and why should they?).  There is the now endless desire to stay "in shape" as the body refuses to cooperate (I refer to my own body as "non-compliant" - which means it will do most of what I tell it to but insists that "I am not the boss of it" and constantly reminds me of this with seemingly endless little pains [that would be my bum]).

But there was much to learn/gain from the cycling trip that is valuable.

First - and most important to me - was being able to raise money for kids that were in a helpless place in life with respect to their health.  7 kids - Dan, Jovia, Saida, Julius, James, Cissy and Bright have had life changing help because you took an interest in this bike ride (and there will be more to come - I will keep you updated). On those days when I wanted to hop on a plane and come home the thought of what these kids lived with kept me on my bike (especially the 32 km uphill and the entire day into the wind).  If nothing else came out of this trip this was enough - wouldn't you agree.  Thank you Thank you Thank you to all of you who supported me through One4another - please consider them in the future as you give.
You helped me meet an exceed my goal of $10,000 - You gave $12,015 (all 131of you).

Second - There were so many metaphors for life on this trip.  I did share a couple with you but I didn't want this blog to become "Murry's Personal Spiritual Journey" so I only shared a few.  Here is another (and maybe my last).

At so many points in this trip I could see the road ahead.  Quite often I would actually measure it.  I would look at my odometre when I could see the farthest point and then I would look at again when I got to the point. Not very accurate really but close.  I could sometimes see 12/13 km ahead.  In every one of these cases it was the top of a hill at the farthest point.  In other words I had a lot of time to think about the pain that was coming. In no way do I want to comment on those incredible tragedies that come into peoples lives but I would like to comment on the kind of daily things that push us, stress us, worry us and occupy our thoughts when we have better things to focus on.
Here is what happened in every single case.  That hill always, and I mean always, looked far worse from a distance.  Yes it was still a hill and yes it took some effort and pain but it was always easier than I imagined in my mind from the distance.  Quite often the thought of the hill took away some of the enjoyment of my present surroundings as I approached the hill.  But in every case it was not as bad as I pictured it from the distance and I always got to the top (yes a little worse for ware some times:) and I think I was always stronger for having done the hill.

A friend of mine sent me an email and coined a phrase I think I will start using - "fear-blindness".  It is that state of mind where you are kept from doing something (or avoiding it as long as you can) because you can see the hill ahead and it makes the journey to the hill one of preoccupation and it quite often robs you of the lessons you can learn while "climbing the hill".  This friend referred to "fear-blindness" as that obstruction that hides the rewards found in the simple (and not so simple) struggles in life.  The pain is real the struggle is real but so are the rewards that come from facing these head on an praying for the ability to do them as well as you can and learn as much as you can from them.  There is probably no learning in life that does not include a hill - eh???
So embrace the hill.
Here is a funny ending to the trip.  My daughter and son-in-law drove up to Wiarton so Aaron could bike the last day with us (165 km).  He really came to let me draft him the entire way so as to assure I would actually make it home:)  As we approached KW I said, "Let's go do the Hawksville hill - I'm not afraid of it anymore" (to my way of thinking it is the toughest hill in the region). So we headed that way and the darn hill was just as tough as it always was. I got down to 6 kph and just stayed on my bike until it was done.  It hurt like normal, I was winded like normal, I was as slow as normal but at no time did I even consider that I would need to get off my bike and rest to complete the climb. I was totally confident that I would get to the top.  There is no room for arrogance in this life - I do know that there are hills that would beat me (I do watch the 3 great cycling tours on earth) but I am confident that even those have important lessons to teach me.
I do hope that this is not stretching a metaphor but if it is then I would argue that's what metaphors are phor:) (oh that was so bad!!)

Anyways - thanks for reading along. I would love to talk more about the trip but if you are interested you will have to have coffee with me.

Murray

P.S. - One4another is still accepting donations for the ride - their trip never ends.

Yesterday biked 175 km from Wiarton to Kitchener to end the Turn it Around Tour. Great riding  with nice roads and a tailwind most of the time. Biked through Hepworth, Hanover, Neustadt, Clifford, Harriston and Elmira  enroute to Kitchener. Felt really good to get off our bikes at the end of a long day and a long journey from White Rock. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Stan

Day 26- The Penultimate Day and a Wonderful Visit

A day of firsts- my first day of riding on Manitoulin when I could see something (it's ruggedly pretty), my first ride on the Chi-Cheemaun (it was so foggy that there was little to do but sleep!), my first real time on the Bruce Peninsula (and I have lived in Ontario my whole life- shame on me!) and my first penultimate day of the trip. Last evening (or sometime before Murray, Wayne and Stan's bedtime of 8 pm) we were tossing around whether to wrap up the trip in 2 days or 3. We had about 50 k's still to do on Manitoulin and then about 260 k's from Tobermory to Kitchener so we decided we'd see how we felt when we got off the ferry and how far we decided to go. And if we made it far enough then we'd make the last push to get the trip done by Thursday.
We made it about 80 k's to Wiarton so the push is on. Only about 180 k's to go and if the wind isn't cruel we should be at our homes late in the afternoon!
My son, Adam, texted me Tuesday evening saying he was going to be keeping his son, Mason, home from JK and they'd see me at the ferry port in Tobermory. So it was really wonderful to see them, and Adam's girlfriend, waiting for the ship. We had a great visit and lunch together (thanks for buying Jelisa!) and then I set out to join up with the other guys.
The most challenging part of the day has turned out to be what route we're going to be taking to get back home. There are so many options that no matter where we turn all roads lead home.
So, one more day and one more post and it will be completed- the Turn it Around Tour and one big thing off the bucket list! Very cool!!!

Warren

The Weather Man Got Us

I started early again today and it looked ok so I didn't take my rain gear.  BIG MISTAKE  - at two hours out it started and by the time I got to Espanola (2 more hours) I was drenched and a little cold.  Warren had joined me for the last two hours and James met us with our rain gear at Tim's.  A quick change of clothes and coffee and an apple fritter and we were off.

I (as well as everyone) was so happy to be off Hwy. # 17.  It is the worst road we have been on in the entire trip.  Lots of traffic, no or poor shoulders and lots of transports led to my nerves being entirely frayed by the time I got to Espanola.  Seriously, Ontario should be ashamed of this road.  I have seldom been so scared.  Anyways we got off on Hwy # 6 and it was much better although the rain just kept coming.

Arrived about 3:30 did the laundry had a shower and a nap - supper and here I am writing you.

Tomorrow I will be off befofe 7 a.m. as I need to do the 50 km to South Baymouth for the ferry and as you turn out of the camp site one of the biggest hills in many weeks faces us.  I am sure I can get to the ferry on time (probably need to be there by 10:30).

After that we will head down the Bruce Pen. and see how far we get.  If the wind Gods are in our favour we may do about 90 km which will put us within one days ride of being home (ie. Thurs.)  Not sure at this point. It is either two big days or 3 pretty easy days - the weather and wind will determine it for us.

Day 25 Stats -  149.56 km  - 7:14:48  - 1026 m climbed  - 4051 cal  - 20.6 kph

Looking forward to seeing all of you.  Murray

Day 25- The day the rains came

Go figure- we get into Ontario, are within 4 days of finishing the ride, have not encountered much significant bad weather (ok, if you count Murray not being able to get from the Paulsen Peak to Castlegar because of the accumulation of fine hail, aka snow, at the top of the peak, then maybe one of us had some nasty weather) and basically spend the last 5 hours of today's ride in the rain. We got a bit wet because we didn't head out this morning fully prepared for rain but perhaps our overconfidence (or lack of believing the weather forecasts) cost us. In any event, there was lots of rain but we did our 150 k's and arrived at our campsite in one shrivelled piece.
The ride along hwy 17 was not fun! It was the most unsettling stretch that we've done to this point- poor shoulders, a fair bit of traffic, especially transports and raining. We were pretty happy to be onto hwy 6 with less traffic and much better shoulders, for the most part.
I think I can speak for all of us when I say we're looking forward to getting home so we're considering how we might be able to make it home by end of the day Thursday. Stay tuned for that! In the mean time, we are booked to go on the ferry tomorrow at 11:10. Should be a nice day so we're looking forward to it. We'll make sure we do continuous laps of the ship so that we can say we biked the whole way!
So, pray for fair weather and gentle breezes- or strong northwesterlies!

Warren

Day 23- Blow, Wind, Blow! and Day 24- Random Acts

You know all those comments in prior posts about the wind being in our face and it being tough? Ignore those- they were nothing compared with yesterday- but I'm sure you read that in someone else's post. I sort of feel like Lieutenant Dan in Forest Gump when he and Forest were in the shrimp boat and the hurricane hit them. Lt. Dan was lashed to the boat and was yelling at the wind, challenging it to give him its worst. Well, after yesterday we feel like we can face anything the wind blows at us
Today was much more gentle, in terms of the wind. Big surprise there! But we did 188 k's trying to get to Blind River so that the run in from there to Manitoulin won't be too hard. It was another long day, especially since we had to cross the bridge at Sault Ste. Marie. Speaking of which, Murray had James drive him across the big bridge. I make no judgment on his inability to ride over the big bridges- it's a wise man who knows his limits!
Anyway, the random acts comment in the heading of this post relates to 2 things that happened, the second of which was at the toll booth coming across the bridge. The first occured yesterday evening at the campground we stayed at yesterday (speaking of which, since yesterday was our last day around Superior, Father's Day and a tough day, Stan and I decided to go for a swim in Lake Superior after the ride! it was a bit chilly but sometimes you have to do silly things). I was on the way to the building with the washrooms in it and a woman said she saw us arrive on our bikes. I told her about our ride and raising some money for charity. We talked a bit and she wished us the best and we went our separate ways. About half an hour later there was a knock at the door of our trailer and I answered. It was the woman I was talking to and she handed me some money to support us- she and her daughter put together the money for us! Cool, eh?
The second act occurred at the toll booth at the bridge to get back into Canada. We had to stop there and wait a while before we could cross because a wide load was coming across. So we got to talking with the toll booth attendants. We told them what we were doing, after paying our $1.75 toll each, and that we were raising some money for charity as part of the ride. The 2 women handed us some money to support the ride and it was more than we paid for the tolls! How about that!
We've had some really neat experiences and met some really fine people. In fact, as Murray and I were sitting here at Tims a young guy came in who was obviously a cyclist. He is cycling across the country, from east to west. He's allocated $6/day for his expenses! Can you imagine that?! We had the opportunity to give him some money so now he'll have $7/day. Anyway, this has been a great trip to meet some people, talk to them and get some of their stories. And that adds to our stories, which is always a blessing!
And speaking of adding to stories, and a blessing, we're staying at a site on Lake Lauzon. After the long, hot ride today the water looked most inviting and seemed a lot warmer than Superior. So, I went in, then Wayne went in and Stan went in. Great swim! I'm sure the water temperature was close to 20 degrees but the other 2 aren't so sure! But how great is it to be able to say I was swimming in Northern Ontario in June!
Tomorrow its on to a site that's south of Espanola and we're staying at a site on a lake. Any bets on whether we go for a swim? Stay tuned.

Warren