Jayden did it! His first ever 50 km ride. At times he was struggling, but with some rest stops, snacks, and powder sugar candy, he did it. Of course we had to stop at Anna Mae's for breakfast, and the world's best donut. He did it. I'm so proud of you Jayden. Excellent job.
Love Dad
Today’s trip is going to be a 260+ km ride down the G2G Rail Trail. Yes today I’m doing 260+ km to Goderich and back. I left this morning at 2:00 am, and currently eating breakfast at 5:35 at Tim Hortons.
Met Chris Teschke on the trail around 3:00 am. Thanks for the support Chris.
I’m going to keep adding to this post as the day goes on.
7:00 am. I'm at 71 km. The sun is starting to shine.
8:22 am. Obstacles in my way. Machine was cutting down branches and littered the trail. I had to ride/walk about 3.5 km. Killed my average speed.
9:13 am. Made it to Blyth. Onward we go.
10:15 am. At the river in Auburn. Just crossed. Here we go again.
11:23. 1/2 WAY THERE!!! I’m at the 130 km. Just another 130 to go. Looks like I’m going to have a tail wind home. Small blessings.
12:00 pm. lunch time. 1 hour break.
2:04 pm. Back at the river going back towards Blyth.
6:20 pm. just hit the 200 km mark.
10:15 pm. Arrived home. Sore legs, sore butt, but did I ever kick cancer’s butt.
🚴♂️ 11:50 AM — Saturday the next day.
I’m sore. I’m tired. And honestly, I’m still trying to wrap my head around what we accomplished yesterday. ❤️
260.29 km.
Started at 2:00 AM. Finished at 10:15 PM. 21 hours and 15 minutes on the bike.
🔥 7,734 calories burned
⛰️ 1,121 m elevation gained
⚡ 18.2 km/h average speed
The Double Double was one of the toughest rides I’ve ever done, but I’m incredibly proud that I pushed through and finished it.
But more than anything, I’m so grateful.
Grateful for everyone who has supported me. Grateful for everyone who donated, shared my posts, cheered me on, rode with me, helped me along the way, and believed in what we’re doing.
I’m also incredibly grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to be part of the Great Cycle Challenge for another year and to ride for something bigger than myself — fighting kids’ cancer. 💛
Six years of riding. Thousands of kilometres. So many incredible memories. And an amazing community of people who continue to show up and support this cause.
Yesterday may have been the final big ride, but the fight doesn’t stop.
Thank you. ❤️
Day 3 on the G2G 🚴♂️🌧️💨
Today, August 24, was Day 3 of cycling the G2G, and honestly… it was not the day I was expecting.
I knew today was going to be tough. Rain, a strong headwind, and a very tired and sore body. But I was determined to keep going.
I made it almost to the halfway point when I popped a tire. After taking some time to fix it, I got back on the bike and kept pushing.
Rain. Headwind. Sore body. Tired legs.
But I wasn’t giving up.
Then came blowout #2. 😩
This time, I discovered there was actually a hole in the sidewall of my tire, and there was no way I could safely continue.
Today’s goal was 132 km.
I made it 91.25 km. 🚴♂️
I’m definitely disappointed that I couldn’t finish the planned distance, but I’m proud that I kept pushing until my equipment simply wouldn’t let me go any farther.
And I am so incredibly grateful for my support team who came out to pick me up (Thanks Dad & Joyce), get me and my bike to Camp, and even took my wheel to the shop to get it repaired. ❤️
This isn’t the end of the ride. It’s just a reminder that sometimes you have to listen to your body—and your equipment.
Tomorrow is another day. 💪🚴♂️
91.25 km down. The G2G isn’t finished with me yet!
#GreatCycleChallenge #G2G #G2GRailTrail #KickCancersButt #FightKidsCancer #CyclingForACause #NeverGiveUp
Sunday, August 23 🚴♂️🌧️
Today was a long, tough ride in the rain.
I left camp and about five minutes later, I was soaking wet. It was a heavy, wet rain pretty much my whole entire ride. There were periods where I was dry for maybe half an hour, but then it would start raining again.
This was the kind of rain that soaked right through my raincoat. Six and a half hours later, I arrived home completely soaking wet.
Riding in the wind and riding in the rain will definitely makes you tired. But at the end of the day, I still had an emergency service call for work, so after the ride I had to head out and put in another 4½ hours.
It was a long day. I was tired. I was wet. And my body was definitely feeling it.
But it is my honour and privilege to cycle through some rain and struggle if it helps bring awareness and raise funds to fight kids’ cancer. ❤️
And tomorrow looks like another opportunity to cycle through more rain and some headwinds.
So tomorrow, we keep going.
One pedal stroke at a time. 🚴♂️💪
Kicking Cancer’s Butt! 🎗️
Today starts the big cycling trip. Over the next 7 days I will be cycling 780+ kilometres. This morning I started at 4:30 am. It’s a bit chilly this morning. To stay warm I’ve been pushing myself. My average so far is 20.3 km/h. The sun is now up and should warmup considerably.
I’m headed up to Point Farms with my Dad and Sister Joyce to camp between the cycling trips. They are amazing behind the scene supporters.
I’m scheduled to come back to KW on Sunday… and the weather forecast looks rainy and wet.
Thanks everyone for your ongoing support.
Mark
What an incredible day! A HUGE thank-you to everyone who donated, shared, cheered us on, and helped us fight kids’ cancer! ❤️🚴♂️
And now… the moment you’ve been waiting for! 🥁 Here are our 10 prize winners! 🎉
🏆 Congratulations to:
1️⃣ Timothy H. — Clovermead Adventure Farm Family Pass
2️⃣ Zachary H. — Live Edge Charcuterie Board
3️⃣ Steve C. — Magic Wand from White Owl Wands
4️⃣ Dave H. — 3D Printed Chess Board that turns into a book
5️⃣ Peter A. — 3D Printed Snakes & Ladders Game that turns into a book
6️⃣ Gizella G. — 3D Printed Crossword Game that turns into a book
7️⃣ Grant W. — Welcome Sign with 4 Exchangeable Icons
8️⃣ Susan C. — Laser Engraved Tumbler
9️⃣ John H. — Set of 4 Christmas Ornaments
🔟 Italo — Set of 4 Bike Coasters with Moving Parts
🎉 Congratulations to all our winners! 🎉
And to EVERYONE who donated — THANK YOU! Your generosity was incredible, and because of your support, we’re able to keep riding and fighting for kids with cancer. 💛
The challenge isn’t over yet… there are still plenty of kilometres to ride and money to raise! 🚴♂️💪
Together, we WILL Kick Cancer’s Butt! 💥🎗️
A HUGE THANK YOU ❤️🚴♂️
I want to take a moment to personally say THANK YOU to every one of my sponsors and supporters who have stood behind me and Jayden during this year’s Great Cycle Challenge.
I honestly can't put into words how much your generosity and encouragement mean to me. Together, we have raised an incredible $13,870 so far — $9,713 for my ride and $4,157 for Jayden’s! 🎉
And while those numbers are amazing, the challenge is not even halfway done yet! There are still plenty of kilometres to ride, more challenges ahead, and lots more work to do to help fight kids' cancer. 🚴♂️💪
A Few Very Special Thank Yous ❤️
Lockdoor Canada — Thank you for supplying me with a DJI Osmo 360 camera. It has allowed me to capture some incredible moments from this journey and share the experience with everyone who has supported us. I truly appreciate your generosity and support.
John H. — aka Dad — Thank you for helping me with the funds to get my bike repaired and back on the road. There have definitely been a few times when my bike has needed some extra love, and your support helped keep me rolling! 🚴♂️
Vicky — Thank you for opening your home to me in Goderich and giving me a place to stay so I could get a good night's rest before getting back on the bike. That kindness meant more than you know, especially when the kilometres were adding up!
And to everyone who has donated, sponsored us, shared our posts, joined us for a ride, cheered us on, or simply sent an encouraging message — THANK YOU! ❤️
Your support has carried me through the long rides, the early mornings, the sore legs, the mechanical problems, and even the rainy days. 😂 But most importantly, you've reminded me that I'm not doing this alone.
We still have a long way to go, and I'm excited to see just how far we can take this together. The bikes are ready, the legs are getting stronger, and the fight continues! 💪🚴♂️🎗️
And don't forget — the prize draw will be held this Saturday, August 15! 🎉
Good luck to everyone who entered, and thank you once again for being part of this journey.
Together, we're riding to Kick Cancer's Butt! 🎗️❤️
Mark & Jayden
Our first trip down the G2G, and he smashed it. 17.2 km. Way to go Jayden. Of course we finished off with some ice cream.
This was the second group ride for Aug. It was good meeting up with some friends, and meeting new ones at RIM Park, and also along the way. Thank you Maad, Michael, Dave & Chris.
Jayden and I went out last Sunday and he crushed 10 km. So proud buddy. Keep up the excellent work
