Petit Train du Nord, sort of!

Bonus ride today up in the Laurentians, on what used to be one of our favourite rides. Not so today!

The plan was to park in St Jovite (Km 83 on map) , and head to Tremblant village, around beautiful Lac Mercier, through La Conception, into Labelle on the Petit Train du Nord. We love this part of trail! Not so today!

First problem was at park and ride in St Jovite. Scott went to pump up his tire at the public bike repair station. The only thing that pump did was let air OUT of the tire. 15 min of using a mini hand pump proved useless. That's when I suggested we go to the bike store across the road. Owner offered his pump free of charge, problem fixed and we hit the dusty trail, again!

Arrived in Tremblant village, beautiful route past golf course, chalets, streams...only to find trail closed due to construction. Kms 92 - 97 were being paved; the detour took us to the highway. Quebec highways, dump trucks, Friday before a long weekend, hills, nay, mountains, (hello, that's why we like rail trails)...the realization that we had to take same route back almost made me quit this trip!

THEN we got to the trail only to find long stretches of fresh crushed stone (my road bike was not happy) and rough riding due to flooding 2 weeks ago. Pretty bad when bumps cause you to lose your water bottle!

Rolled into Labelle and sat quietly for a long time. Lots to think about today...

GCC 2024 is a wrap.

Not the start I wanted, with Covid; not exactly the ride I was anticipating today to finish it. 800km later I am definitely older, not necessarily wiser. But I am SO fortunate to have the generous support of friends, family, neighbours, even strangers...and my goofy sidekick, Scotty, year after year. Thank you!

I started the Challenge with 'Mamma Mia, here we go again...' stuck in my head.

Ending with 'Let's Do it Again' by the Beach Boys.❤

Gananoque bound!

Likely our last ride for the month, so had to go out with a wallopper! AND we had great cause to celebrate the safe arrival of our great niece!!!

Our annual trek to Gananoque from the park and ride west of Brockville was calling. 37.5 km each way...going there almost did us in...heat, headwind and hills. Swear those hills are bigger this year too! Scenery was beautiful...sunshine, sailboats, swans, osprey, tour boats, para-sailing, kayaking, flowers, delicious! But what is with the 6 coyote statues on lawns, 2 of which were having a shite! Takes garden art to a new level. Speaking of, we did see the best new car for me! (See photo!)

On the return, the anticipated tail wind was heavenly! At the 58km point, Scott said he was actually having fun!

Almost 100km over my goal, a cold beverage on the porch, Scott and I are still married, and a new baby girl...a great day for this old hen!

Nailed it!

Tried something different today...the Clampetts went downtown!!! Parliament Hill in fact. We parked at the GRC in Stittsville and hit the dusty trail, with our dusty bottoms. It was our lucky day! Pretty amazing to have this trail (part of Trans Canada Trail and Rideau Trail) get you all the way downtown. Even more amazing to have the Parkway closed to cars on Sundays. Thank you, NCC.

These two hicks from the country were awestruck tourists! Better than being car struck, I guess! So many people out, cyclists, joggers, walkers...dogs, geese, Inukshuks, buses, more people.

Although it was a nice change, it has been confirmed, we are much more the Eddie Albert type than Eva Gabor! Give us the countryside.

Today's 65km ride pushed me over my 650km goal, yea! Not the August I expected (rain, cold, bloody Covid), but we did it! Scott is having a nap right now to celebrate! Don't worry, I will buy that man a beer, or two!

And I couldn't have done it without the support and encouragement of all of you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, and very sore arse.

I'll keep riding, but the pressure is off, whoot whoot!!!❤🚴‍♀️

Serious case of helmet head, but proud of it!

Quick one!

One week left, and only 92km to reaching my goal. Easy peasy, right?But what if it rains all week and there are worms out? What if it's windy and cold every day? What if I win the lottery, or, better yet, a Clydesdale?

So much to consider, so convinced Scott a short ride to Carleton Place was possible, even needed. I was thinking of him, really.

Sunshine, horses, lush green fields (love how grapevines look on other people's fences!), brought us into CP. But not quite so much fun motoring home when we had a time limit...sprinting is not in my skill set.

We had a date with the clan in Merrickville today at 12:30, to see these beauties!❤

Blue shadows on the trail...

Almost a week since I've been out, blaming it on weather, and a couple (ok, 3) days of recovery after the date square episode.

Despite grey skies and cool temps this morning, the forecast looked promising. Wind from the north and west lured me to head north and west, with the promise of a delicious tail wind on the way home.

It was so good to be out, the clouds gave way to blue skies and sunshine, finally. I lost myself in the ride. Found myself in Almonte (where they have the cutest benches and a bike repair stand. Oh, and a public washroom!), Blakeney and Pakenham, but construction turned me around.

Started thinking about my all time favourite movie that I watched last night, The 3 Amigos. I chuckled putting on my lip balm, I laughed out loud at the scene where Dusty sits backwards on Ned's horse, I guffawed at the plethora of piñatas and El Guapo dancing. I love Steve Martin and Martin Short, still watching them today and never disappointed.

The song stuck in my head most of today's ride...you guessed it. Love those singing horses!

92km left, whoot whoot!

The power of a date square!

Wanted to try for a longer ride today...had this stuck in my head (thank you, Robert Frost):

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Back in the saddle solo this hot sunny Friday. Starting from home, heading north, then west to Tennyson again, aiming for Hands Rd to turn around.

That's when the date square appeared. I love date squares, especially those at The Hourglass in Perth. I started to crave one, which is weird because I still can't taste anything. But that vision kept me going, to Perth. Well worth the effort!

Home via County Rd 10, all sugared up from said treat, and that delicious tail wind. Had a little James Brown stuck in my head too!

101.8km in the books today!

Kick Cancer's Butt Day!

Another perfect August day, even better today, cause I had company, yea Scotty! My favourite pit crew/comic relief/beverage buyer!

Parked at Beckwith Park, and headed for Perth. Biking on the newly paved Beckwith 9 to Tennyson is a dream come true. We saw people on horse back (they wouldn't trade), a kayaker (she wouldn't trade), an employee cleaning up the dog's breakfast (he wanted to trade) at The Hourglass Coffee Shop in Perth.

We saw the perfect Canadian Zamboni in Beckwith, and some changing leaves! Which reminded me of something I saw yesterday...going over Hwy 7 on Appleton overpass, I watched a huge flatbed truck completely loaded with ...brand new Ski-doos, heading towards Carleton Place. You know I can't make stuff like that up! Stop the madness people!!!❤🇨🇦🌞

Great day for celebrating!

Days like today are why I like August so much. The golds, purples, rusts of the fields and flowers; the apples, the berries (are they choke cherries?!), the Queen Anne's lace, the cows, the crickets, the hay...delicious! A perfect day, even more so now that I've finally FINALLY tested negative. Headed to Appleton to celebrate, it did not disappoint! Just make sure you obey speed limit!!!

Just a bit wet!

With the forecast of rain for the afternoon we took off this morning with our eyes on the skies. A quick ride into CP, we should be fine...not to be! Drops turned to downpour, water from Scott's wheel hitting my face, frogs jumping, drips coming off the helmet, splashes up from puddles soaked the shoes, to say nothing of what my backside looked like!

We stopped briefly at the underpass on the TCTrail, noticing blue skies north and south of us, but our little Eeyore cloud hovered. Once back on Dwyer Hill, the sun came out! Bonus was the coffee at Tim's, still can't taste it, but it was warm and we were cold! Another bonus was seeing 2 deer on the trail. Never had to hose mud off inside of my helmet before!

236km in the books!

So proud of our Olympians!!!🇨🇦

Just do it!

One of those, 'Where will I go today?' rides. Wasn't sure where I'd end up, but knew I'd take it easy. Still not 100%, still wallowing in a bit of self pity, so I chose roads that make me happy. Coming down that hill from Ramsey 8 into Almonte is a definite rush of adrenaline. But pulling into the parking lot of library in Almonte, well it was magical. Chinese dragons, dancers, clowns, such a treat!

Felt good, despite the wind. Just do it, so I did. You'll not beat me, Covid!!!

Day 8, 3rd ride!

Make hay while the sun shines, right? With the upcoming forecast of heavy rain, thanks to tropical storm Debby, we just had to get out this morning.

From the Park and Ride, we headed up to Almonte, then to Blakeney. My plan was to tuck in behind Scott, but I couldn't keep up with him, so that didn't work. Don't have the strength or vital capacity yet, but this wouldn't be called a challenge if I didn't have to push myself! In the famous words of our then 4 year old daughter, "What do you think I am, a sit down girl?" I love that kid!

And look what arrived today! Whoot whoot!

Only 520.6km to go. And Roxanne, guess what song was stuck in my head?

I need a nap!💤

Back in the saddle, FINALLY!

Definitely not the start to the GCC 2024 I wanted.

I try to be positive.

My blood group is even B+

I used to think I had good taste, now I just want to taste!

I like company, I try to be a good host. But I want my body back!

But damn you Covid!!! Enough already, I just want to be negative!

First 50km ride on Aug 1st, today was only my 2nd ride!!! Short one at that, but so good to get out. My bike was so happy! Promise, no more complaining about wind, hills, trucks...for now!

Another note: thank goodness the Olympics are on, they kept me from slipping slowly into madness!

Only 572.6km to go, yowzaa!

Maiden voyage 2024, aye!

9th year and I still can't say enough about how classy GCC Canada is. The highlights:

No entry fee, no minimum amount of fundraising required.

You set your personal goals of fundraising and kilometers, and that is flexible.

You can ride anywhere, anytime, any day. Good for fair weather cyclists like me!

If you need extra time to reach your goals, Sept is available.

There is an incredible support team encouraging you to get pedalling.

AND by far the most important reason, to raise funds and awareness for sweet wee ones battling cancer.

So have raised $2606 so far...Here's to my very kind sponsors, thank you from the bottom of my ❤!

In no particular order...Alison T, Bev T, Helga S, Mieka S, Nora M, Lynne R, Hannah W, Elva M, Juergen S, Roxanne B, Maureen T, Suzanne E, Joan & Kenny P, Anonymous, Stew K, Ivana A, Jenny W, Deborah C, Jacquie F, Elizabeth C, Sheila C-S, Kathi K, Cathy M, Karine C, Dan & Donna, Gail M, Margaret B.