Nancy van Loenen
- National: 1042nd
- Province: 559th in ON
I'm Riding For
Atlas van Loenen
Atlas, a vibrant and healthy boy, was suddenly diagnosed with a rare brain cancer just days after his first birthday. Atlas underwent four brain surgeries. He endured five months of intensive chemo treatment, including two bone marrow transplants, in an effort to extend his life. Side effects from treatment kept Atlas inpatient at the hospital for months at a time. Sadly, the cancer was too aggressive, and Atlas was taken from us in April 2021, just eight months after his diagnosis. This bright, happy, clever, adorable soul is deeply missed by all who had the privilege of loving him. Atlas loved his older brother Ezra to pieces and was able to briefly meet his younger brother Ozias. His family welcomed another brother, Isaac, in 2023. Surely, he would have loved getting up to all sorts of shenanigans with those boys - and been just as sweet and bright as they are. He will forever be a loved and cherished member of our family and will not ever be forgotten. Xoxox
My Story
This August, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!
Why? Because right now, over 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it's the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada.
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
So I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support SickKids Foundation to allow them to continue their work in developing treatments and finding a cure for childhood cancer.
Please support me by making a donation to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.
Your support will change little lives.
Thank you.
Nancy
My Legacy
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254 km Ridden$2,594 Raised2021
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152 km Ridden$624 Raised2023
My Challenge
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And that's a WRAP!
31 Aug 2024Well folks! It's August 30 and we are happy to report - We have reached our goal of 250KM!
And - without breaking tradition - it is POURING RAIN! This year though, we managed to sneak out of the forest BEFORE dark and BEFORE the rain! #Goals!
Miles had a bit of an unfortunate bike accident earlier in the day - the metal speed bump came out of nowhere...and won. He got a good number of scrapes and bruises and a nice covering of road rash...BUT - the good news is that the bike gloves saved his palms :)
The kid is a champ. Despite the stingy skin - he was game for going out tonight as planned to finish off the challenge (tomorrow is a busy day here).
We went the opposite direction today - and both agreed - never again HAH! Turns out the slight incline over a long distance is like burning a candle from both ends. The only perk - the final 5km was a breeze. Oh - and we spotted a DEER crossing the path in front of us!
Also - the biggest downside was the lack of trucks along that route. In the spirit of finishing strong, however, we managed to spot ONE transport going through Belwood and the driver was a gem (sorry Belwood residents!)...watch the video to see Miles' reaction.
https://youtube.com/shorts/9G-qv1Qemzc?feature=share
A great month. Lots of sweat. Crushed our last year's distance. See ya next August!
Posted 83 days ago -
16.1 km ride - Home stretch…oh DEER!! - Friday, August 30, 2024
Logged this ride 83 days ago -
27.2 km ride - The one with Sherlock Holmes….. - Thursday, August 29, 2024
Logged this ride 85 days ago -
27.3 km ride - What humidity?? - Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Logged this ride 87 days ago -
18.6 km ride - The one where miles got hurt…by Sydney - Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Logged this ride 92 days ago -
Burlington Cycling with TWO kids!
21 Aug 2024When in Burlington we aren’t limited by the two bike limit on the rack!
This week I was impressed by kid #1’s interest in joining us on the rides - usually she isn’t super eager to be uncomfortable. Must be the week at camp that made her miss us so much :)
Also - kid #3 is starting to ride a two wheeler and wanted to join - so we started with a short 1km loop, dropped her off at home and then went on the ride downtown.
Burlington beach and pier is a hoppin place to be on a weekday night, as it turns out! We managed to avoid getting caught in any of the million photoshoots happening there (seriously - so many!) and then biked back home!
Because the kids are doing a triathlon this weekend they also wanted to tag on a quick 1km run to the end. So - naturally I went with them because I couldn’t let them think they were more fit than their Mum!
Next day - same route!
We are ready for race day!
Posted 93 days ago -
18.6 km ride - After dinner ride - Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Logged this ride 93 days ago -
20.9 km ride - Ride with two kids plus bonus run at the end!! - Monday, August 19, 2024
Logged this ride 94 days ago -
14.6 km ride - Short pre dinner ride :) - Thursday, August 15, 2024
Logged this ride 98 days ago -
16.7 km ride - Bruce point with ‘gr-uncle’ - Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Logged this ride 99 days ago -
20.9 km ride - Happy 5th Birthday ATLAS!! - Monday, August 12, 2024
Logged this ride 101 days ago -
16.5 km ride - Quick after dinner ride - turbo speed - Friday, August 9, 2024
Logged this ride 104 days ago -
We found the end of the trail!!
7 Aug 2024FINALLY!!!!
We've biked the same route while up at the cottage for three seasons. Belwood bridge around the side of the lake, over the dam and to a playground at Forfar Park. But that's where it gets dicey.
The Elora Cataract Trailway does not end there - the last mark is either a 3 or 4km sign which begs the question: WHERE IS THE REST!?!?
This past weekend I researched a bit more (previous attempts with google satellite came back empty) and asked online in a Belwood Lake Facebook group and managed to get specific road by road directions (taking into account road closures) to pick up the final stretch of the trail.
Well - folks - Today we road to the END! Snapped a photo at the 0km mark (thanks to gentleman in the parking lot pointing out where THAT was!) to remember forever the day we managed to bike to the end.
But it didn't end there. We turned around and biked all the way back!!! 36.81km roundtrip. OUR. LEGS. ARE. TIRED.
What was I doing at age 9?? NOT THAT!!!
So proud of my boy!!!
The final few km he was such a hero - chanting "FOR ATLAS" on repeat to get us back to the car.
Oh. And in case you wondered...Yes - we did still manage to get many trucks to honk for us along the highway ;)
Posted 106 days ago -
Miles has a new bike!
7 Aug 2024On our first ride of the challenge, unfortunately Miles' bike started making a weird noise. He was understandably frustrated and it meant we had to stop every few minutes and bailed early from the planned route.
We did source out some chain oil, which helped moderately but I think it is time to bring it in for someone professional to take a look :)
In the meantime - we needed a bike so we didn't fall behind!!
So thankful for "David" from Milton who sold us this beauty yesterday!
So far so good!!
Posted 106 days ago -
36.8 km ride - All the way end!! Marker 0km - Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Logged this ride 107 days ago -
16.5 km ride - Miles’ bike needs a doctor!! - Sunday, August 4, 2024
Logged this ride 110 days ago -
No ride yesterday but 5km run by the little guy!
4 Aug 2024No ride was completed yesterday as Miles was busy running in a 5km colour run. 🏃 He may be slightly tinted a pink shade presently….which hasn’t yet washed out in either the splash pad, lake or 40 minute soapy shower….hoping the ride tomorrow contributes to some sweat and a mix of pool chemicals might change the shade…otherwise - pink is the new beige?
Posted 110 days ago -
Local News!!
3 Aug 2024We made the news!
https://www.insidehalton.com/news/this-is-for-atlas-burlington-mother-and-son-cycle-for-sickkids-and-special-family-member/article_b245340e-f258-5da1-9271-59ddffea0325.html
Posted 111 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 115 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 123 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 127 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 127 days ago
My Sponsors
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Anonymous
$250Received this donation 127 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you!!”
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Susie Foley
“Whoot whoot for bicycles.”
$124.20Received this donation 123 days ago
Nancy
“Thanks Susie and Adam :)”
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Amanda Powell
$103.50Received this donation 111 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you Amanda and family!”
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Ann Coughlin
“Always glad to support you and Miles and send love to Atlas’s family”
$103.50Received this donation 127 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you Mum and Al!”
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Ian & Marian Kelland
“Miles was looking pretty good in hot pink!”
$103.50Received this donation 105 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you both! We were also quite partial to the pink…”
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Jenn Goodwin
“Way to go Nancy and Miles! You are awesome!”
$103.50Received this donation 122 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you Jenn and family :)”
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Martha D'Agostino
“Way to go Nancy!”
$103.50Received this donation 115 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you D’Agostino family :)”
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Valerie Duffy
“Go! Nancy and Miles as you cycle for Atlas, and support all the amazing work for cancer at Sick Kids. Praying and sending love.”
$103.50Received this donation 122 days ago
Nancy
“Thank so much Val :) much appreciated!”
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Nancy Kotsalainen
“Glad to be able to support you in this challenge. Way to go you two!”
$72.45Received this donation 116 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you Nan!! Much appreciated indeed :)”
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Sonia
“Great Job Miles!! from your neighbours at Eliza Cres.”
$72.45Received this donation 81 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you! Much appreciated :)”
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Richard and Gena Wiersma
“Go Nancy. Praying the efforts of this fundraiser will bless many families in the future.”
$51.75Received this donation 127 days ago
Nancy
“Thanks so much Gena and fam!”
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Susan Evans
$51.75Received this donation 114 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you Aunty Sue - hope you are doing well :)”
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GEARS BIKE SHOP
“Thank you for your efforts!”
$50Received this donation 104 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you GEARS!! Much appreciated :) pedal on!”
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Irene Szabo
$40Received this donation 92 days ago -
Rick van Loenen
“Frothy Coffee fundraiser.”
$40Received this donation 88 days ago -
Anna Turek
“Amazing challenge, Nancy and Miles. Good luck!!!”
$36.23Received this donation 91 days ago
Nancy
“Thanks Anna! Miles was so excited after leaving your driveway today ;)”
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Chantal and Nash Driscoll
“Way to go you two! Good luck 🤞🏼”
$36.23Received this donation 111 days ago
Nancy
“Thanks guys!!!”
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Crystal Holman
$36.23Received this donation 102 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you Crystal and family :)”
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Emma Barnes
“You got this ❤️”
$36.23Received this donation 126 days ago
Nancy
“Thank you Emma and Graham :) xoxo”
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Tracy Blasko
“Nice meeting you both, good luck with your fundraising! Reilly (dog) says why to go!”
$36.23Received this donation 91 days ago
Nancy
“Nice to meet you both! Thank you for the donation - hope to see you at the street party Sept. 7 :)”