Light Snow Falling? Let's GO!

Piper and I were inspired by Zach Wells to get outside, brave the elements, and go for a ride! This was also the first ride with the dry bag attached. There'll be plenty more gear attached once the weather warms up.

We managed an easy 4.2km ride/trot while giving a bit of a LIVE update on the GCCC FaceBook Group page.

It was -10c for this little ride. Piper opted to hop back into the warm truck after our ride instead of posing for the camera.

Brrrrrr

After a week of being very spoiled with warmer temperatures, and being outside more, and even getting a couple short bike rides in, it's now -18 and chilly!

The recent Donations have been warming though!

The 2023 Winter Starter Ride!

With the recent weather being absolutely AMAZING, we just had to get out for a ride!

Piper gets a little stir-crazy when she doesn't get out to run off her energy. As soon as she saw the bike and her harness, she knew what we were doing.

It was a short ride, but an awesome ride nonetheless. Average speed of 10km seems to be perfect for her to maintain an even trot.

Never Trust My Memory.....

2023 is going to be an important year. I'd best keep a record..... so I bought a nice Page-A-Day Travel Journal!

It is often said... "If you need anything, just ask..."

I have asked few people for help over the years, but I'm foolish, and far too often allow my Pride to get in my own way, and don't usually reach out for help.

This time I did.

Yesterday I had the first of what will become many ZOOM chats with a couple of very helpful, compassionate, and way smarter than me in Social Media/Promotions etc. to talk about how we can raise as much $$$$ to fight children's cancers as possible.

Thanks so much to Ashley and Brooke Turner for bringing your enthusiasm, and expertise to the ride of my lifetime.

#iamTheTrooper #fuckcancer #nobodyfightsalone #iwontbackdown #tomorrowscoffee

#Alberta #getoutsideab

#Nature #Adventure

#rideitout #marinbikescanada #marinbikes #madeforfun #marinpainemountain1 #Piney #GCCCanada #journaling

Forward We Roll!

Roll? There wont actually be a whole lot of "rolling" happening until some warmer days with perhaps a little less snow and ice, but I will be trying to get out there to get better conditioned for the trip ahead!

This is my earliest registration for the Great Cycle Challenge Canada, and I woke up to see that my cousin and her husband jumped at the opportunity to get the ball rolling with their individual, and AMAZING donations! Thank You both so very much! It means a whole lot to me to have your support!

In "My Story" above I gave a synopsis of what I've been through over the past decade as part of WHY I am riding. I also set a goal of 1500km $5000. That's roughly $3.33/kilometer. We can do this! I also mentioned that 1500km was going to be through the Canadian Rockies. Yup. Am I crazy? You bet I am!

While I was in hospital recovering from having my kidney removed last August, I felt inspired and stumbled upon what is called bikepacking/touring. Most notably a man named Ryan Van Duzer. His infectious attitude and over all personality caught my attention and I was hooked. I made some changes in life and bought a decent bike, and started making a plan.

A plan to ride through the mountains along Forest Service Roads and converted rail trails. Mostly. There will be some paved sections, but not many. The scenery will be nothing short of SPECTACULAR!

I will be using a SPOT Satellite device that will be linked to a Live-Time map for you to be able to check-in and see where I am along the way. That will start when the official ride recording starts in August.

STAY TUNED!

To learn more about the specific route..... https://bikepacking.com/routes/bc-trail/