Great Cycle Challenge - Day 29: Mission Accomplished

I rode with the regular crew (Multisport Addicts) on Saturday, starting at Angie and Rob’s cottage in Wasaga and heading out toward Creemore. It was a beautiful day, but a bit chilly at the start, and the heavy headwinds made some of the climbing very challenging. Still, everyone pulled through and kept things moving. Creemore had a festival going on, and although we couldn’t stay long, we did get to see some classic cars on display. We grabbed a coffee and a butter tart at Bank Café, then headed back toward Wasaga.

The return trip was incredible. Between the big downhill, the wind at our backs, the smooth tarmac on Riverside Road and Concession 6, and the gorgeous scenery, we absolutely flew back. It felt like a huge reward for the effort it took to get to Creemore in the first place.

When we rolled back into Wasaga, Angie and Rob treated us to a lovely BBQ lunch at the cottage — the perfect way to end the ride and the day. And with that ride, I officially completed my 1,500 km GCC goal for the month. A great ride, a great day, and a great way to finish the challenge.

Great Cycle Challenge - Day 28: Countryside Ride with Andrew

I drove out to the Kitchener area to ride with Andrew, one of my TD Tour de Friends teammates. It was a lovely morning weather‑wise, the kind that makes you glad you committed to the drive. The first half of the ride was faster with a gradual downhill, while the second half was slower with a gradual uphill, but overall we still held a fast average speed just under 30 kph — all thanks to the pulling Andrew did. He is undoubtedly a strong rider.

We stopped for coffee and a butter tart at a place called Jim’s Lunch, the kind of spot that feels like stepping back in time into an old diner. Later on, we had lunch at the Baden Coffee Company, a very nice, quaint coffee house that hit the spot perfectly before a short ride back to the parking lot.

By the time we wrapped up, we were a little over 100 km through beautiful countryside — quiet roads, rolling farmland, and great company. A big thanks to Andrew for setting up the ride.

Great Cycle Challenge - Day 26: A Perfect Day on the Elora-Cataract Trail

What. A. Day! We went on a 109 km gravel ride from Inglewood to Fergus along the Elora‑Cataract Trail and it was spectacular. The scenery was beautiful the entire way, and for a gravel ride it felt pretty quick — we averaged 24.7 kph, which is fast by my standards.

I rode with Sandro and Peter. It was my first time meeting Peter, and what a great guy (but aren’t all cyclists?). He’s 68 years old, strong on the bike, and incredibly well‑travelled as a cyclist. As he told me about his adventures — mostly across Europe — all I could think was: I want to be as strong, as fast, and as well‑travelled on the bike when I’m 68. Truly inspiring.

The weather was perfect: sunny, temperate, and exactly what you hope for on a long gravel day. We stopped for breakfast at The Vault in Fergus, where I had a breakfast croissant, a chocolate‑chip scone, and a coffee — vital cycling food… LOL. It was great.

There was talk about doing this ride again in the fall when the colours change, and that will be amazing. I’m now just over 1,300 km with about 200 km to go. I’ve got another 150 km planned for tomorrow and Saturday. Sunday I have to jar tomatoes, so I’ll need to find another 50 km somewhere. I should probably take today off… unless I can find a flat, slow ride somewhere. Tomorrow will be intense. I’ll figure something out.

Great Cycle Challenge - Day 25: Coffee in Kettleby and 30km of Exploring

The weather wasn’t good on Sunday or Monday, so I stayed indoors and did a couple of longer virtual rides — one in Western Canada (52 km) and another in Korea (46 km). Those are long for virtual rides by my standards, but they helped keep the mileage moving. I also went for a short 4.5 km run on Sunday. With the focus on riding this month, it was my first run in August, and it felt pretty tough.

Today I finally got outside for a 45 km ride with some of the crew. It was windy and cool enough that I had to wear a jacket. We rode from Nobleton to Kettleby and back, stopping for coffee at a little bakery that one rider described as “going to the old Nonna’s house.” He wasn’t exaggerating — the place had that cozy, old‑school charm. The coffee was good, and the chocolate‑chip cookie was just OK.

When I got home, the legs still felt decent, so I added another 30 km with an easy spin around the neighbourhood. I turned in and out of a bunch of streets — some I hadn’t been down since moving here in 2009 — which made the ride surprisingly interesting.

Later in the day, I gave a couple of bikes some TLC. I washed my road bike, degreased the chain, and switched to wax instead of traditional lubricant. It’s supposed to be much better than lube. I also added wax to my gravel bike to get it ready for a big ride tomorrow. Now it’s time to get some sleep so I’m ready to go bright and early in the morning.

Great Cycle Challenge- Day 22: I’m back

Today was my first outdoor ride all week. Work has been really busy, so most of my mileage came from virtual rides squeezed in whenever I could. Getting back outside felt great. I left the house at 6:30 to meet Andrew and Keith — two members of TD Tour de Friends — for a 7:00 start. It was a little chilly at first, but once we got moving, it was perfect.

We rode through Caledon, taking in some beautiful scenery. Just before Belfountain, we climbed the small switchback on Forks of the Credit, and the route had plenty of rollers to keep things interesting. We stopped at Higher Ground in Belfountain for coffee and butter tarts, and ended up waiting out the rain there for a bit — it came earlier than expected.

Andrew is an absolute monster on the bike. I’ve known him for years, and he’s strong, fast, and just a great guy. This was my first chance to ride with Keith, and he’s another solid addition to the team — easygoing, strong rider, and great company. Even with the chilly start, the rain, and Andrew’s two flat tires, it was still a great ride.

With today’s ride, I’ve just exceeded 1,000 km for the month. I’m off this week, and with a little over a week left until August 31st, it’s the final stretch to get to 1,500 km. Let’s goooooo!!!

Great Cycle Challene - Day 16: A Perfect Day for the King Ride

Today was the King Ride, and despite earlier forecasts calling for rain, the weather turned out absolutely beautiful. I chose the 95‑ish km route, excited to get in a solid effort before a busy week ahead.

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A Rough Start and a Fast Chase

Right out of the gate, my head unit started acting up. I pulled over to fix it, but it set me back more than I expected. That meant one thing: time to chase.

Eventually I caught up with the Trail Bullies, and once I latched on, we absolutely flew. It was fast, fun, and exactly the kind of push I needed.

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Groups, Climbs, and Reality Checks

At Schomberg, I picked up another group, but once we hit a longer incline, I lost them — either they were too quick or I was too tired. Probably a bit of both.

A little later, I ran into Eugene riding with another group, and again we were flying for a while… until I ran out of steam.

Then came the soul‑sucking climb around the 80 km mark. Humbling, slow, and tough. But I kept grinding, and in the end, I finished with my fastest 90 km ever, thanks to hitching onto strong groups throughout the ride.

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A Good Finish and a Needed Rest

After the ride, we enjoyed a great pasta lunch, which hit the spot after a long morning on the bike. Then it was home to get ready for a big week at work.

No riding tomorrow — I need a recovery day and a chance to focus on work.

I’m now very close to the 850 km mark. If I can put another 200–250 km on the board before next Sunday, I’ll be in great shape heading into the final week.

Great cycle challenge - day 15: 99.9 kms…because 100 would be insane

Teaser:

Yesterday was quiet, today was beautiful — and together they made for a perfect reset before tomorrow’s King Ride.

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Yesterday — A Busy Day and a Virtual Spin

Yesterday was one of those days where work took over and the hours disappeared. Nothing exciting happened on the cycling front, but I still wanted to keep the streak alive. So at the end of the day, I hopped on the trainer and did a virtual ride in Belgium — a great way to unwind and keep the legs moving.

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Today — Sunshine, Good Company, and Extra Kilometres

Today was the complete opposite: a gorgeous day for a bike ride.

We rolled out from Duffy’s Lane and headed into Glen Williams for coffee. It was a great mix of familiar faces — Sandro, Eugene, and Samantha — along with Ruchi and Angie, who I haven’t seen in a while. It was really nice to ride with them again.

The route was supposed to be around 70 km, but the legs felt good, the weather was perfect, and the company was even better. So I extended it a bit (99.9 km) and enjoyed every minute of it.

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Looking Ahead — The King Ride

Tomorrow is the King Ride, and I’m genuinely excited. Earlier in the week, the forecast didn’t look promising, but now it’s shaping up to be another great morning to ride. I can’t wait to get out there and keep the momentum going.

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Reflection

Riding with a group reminds me how much movement is about more than just fitness. It’s social, it’s grounding, and it’s mentally refreshing. Whether it’s a quiet virtual ride after a long workday or a sunny morning with friends, cycling keeps you connected — to others, to the outdoors, and to yourself. The kilometres matter, but the people and the moments matter even more.

Great Cycle Challenge - Day 13: Post Dinner Bike and Beers

Tonight was a great 32 km ride with a few gentlemen from my cycling crew — one of those easy‑to‑say‑yes rides that fits perfectly after dinner. The pace was steady, the conversation light, and the route familiar.

Near the end, we hit the Mount Pleasant climb, which always adds a little sting to the legs but feels satisfying once you crest it. That climb pushed me over a big personal milestone: 600 km ridden this month.

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A Stop at Caledon Brewery

After the ride, we headed over to Caledon Brewery to unwind. I stuck with a non‑alcoholic option — and honestly, it was really good. We sat outside, chatted, laughed, and enjoyed the warm evening until the dark skies and mosquitoes made it clear it was time to head home.

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Reflection

Days like this remind me how powerful group movement can be. Whether it’s cycling or running, being part of a crew keeps you accountable, lifts your spirits, and gives you a reason to show up even when you’re tired. It’s healthy in every sense — physically, socially, and mentally. The miles feel easier, the conversations make the time fly, and the shared effort builds a sense of connection that’s hard to find anywhere else. Riding with others doesn’t just make you stronger; it makes the journey richer.

Day 12 — Kick Cancer’s Butt Day!

What a day! Today was Kick Cancer’s Butt Day, and every dollar donated was matched by the Garron family, up to an incredible $1.3 million.

Before I even knew about the matching opportunity, I had already reached out to so many family members and friends for support. I thought I was tapped out — but once I learned about the match, I knew I had to dig deeper.

I reached out to a few more friends who responded with amazing generosity, but I still wanted to do more. So I turned my focus to recruiting more TD Tour de Friends teammates. And that’s when I decided to go all‑in.

I suited up in my GCC Superhero jersey — the one my supporters helped me earn — and toured the second and fourth floors of our building in full cycling gear. I definitely stood out (and looked a little silly), but it was a blast! The energy, laughter, and support from colleagues were incredible.

Our team has been raising our goals all week thanks to the generosity of our sponsors: first $2,500, then $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000. This morning, as donations started rolling in, we bumped it again to $12,500. And now, at nearly 9 PM, we’re sitting at $17,700 with 34 team members — before any matching funds!

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this. I’m so proud of our team and deeply grateful to every family member, friend, and colleague who made this possible. None of this could have happened without you.

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Reflection

Today reminded me that momentum builds when passion meets purpose. What started as a small idea among colleagues has grown into something far bigger — a movement powered by generosity, laughter, and shared commitment. Seeing our team rally together, and knowing that every dollar we raised today will go twice as far, reinforces why we ride: to make a difference for kids fighting cancer. I’ll carry this energy into every mile ahead — proud, humbled, and inspired by what we’ve achieved together.

Great Cycle Challenge - Day 11: Spinning Through Rio With Ted Lasso

After a long day at work, I still managed to get a ride in this evening — a virtual spin through Rio de Janeiro. As great as it looked on screen, I’ll admit it would’ve been even nicer to be riding the real thing.

To make the ride even better, I watched the first episode of the new season of Ted Lasso while pedaling. I absolutely love that show. It makes me laugh, but more than that, it makes me feel good inside. There’s something about the way Ted brings people together — building belief, building teams, and helping everyone find a little more of their best selves — that hits home for me every time.

And honestly, it’s hard not to see a bit of that spirit in what’s happening with TD Tour de Friends. Over the past couple of days, we’ve done some great work recruiting new members. We’re now sitting at 18 riders, and the hope is to get to at least 30. Just like in Ted Lasso, it’s amazing what can happen when people rally around a shared purpose.

With Kick Cancer’s Butt Day happening tomorrow, we’re hoping to welcome even more colleagues to the team and have a big day in sponsorship. Every dollar donated is matched, and every new rider helps us turn something big into something even bigger.

Fingers crossed for a great day ahead — and maybe a little Ted Lasso‑style magic along the way.