***NOTE: PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CLICK ON "COMMENTS" AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH POST, TO READ SOME GREAT REPORTS IN THE RIDERS' OWN WORDS, ALONG WITH MESSAGES FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS***
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10am
Sunny, 27
I don’t have the words to describe how much different the scene is from a few days ago.
Last Sunday I was witness to 5 teams of riders who were taking turns riding through wind, rain, sleet, on uneven pavement. Cold, tired, but somehow still strangely positive. The sense of humour never flagged, even at the worst of times.
Today, as I sit beside the pool at the Mountain Star resort in Bee Cave near Austin, it’s a scene so removed from a few days ago…riders and volunteers relaxed, rested, happy and well fed.
The ride into Bee Cave took about 7 hours longer than we had anticipated when the course was designed. Instead of arriving at 4:30, team 5 pulled into the parking lot after 11pm. As it became apparent Team 2 would not be the finishers (they started their shift at 12 noon), other teams became involved. They rode until 4pm then Team 3 took over until 8. Team 4 spelled them off at 10, and Team 5 took it home from just outside Bee Cave up some of the toughest hills of the whole trip.
So now the riders and volunteers relax. A few stand on the balcony taking in the Texas morning. Others read their papers or swim a few languid laps of the pool. It’s early and the temperature is already in the high 20s. In about an hour, we’ll make the ceremonial ride into Austin and this part of the adventure will be over.
But while this is an end, it’s also a beginning. Tomorrow we will all stand together at the Austin airport to greet the Warriors – the men, women and children who we rode for. We all know that this will be the very best part of the journey.
Bring on the Warriors!
43 comments:
Con grats to everyone for another year well done.Have a great ride in to Austin and enjoy. It is now some well deserved time off the bike.
Ben and Rachel
Great job everyone, In some strange way I am a little jealous that you all had to deal with the conditions you dealt with vs last year. The struggle to acheive your goal makes hitting it all that much sweeter! Enjoy the moments with the Warriors, making special connections with very special individuals! Laurel, congrats I know Kathy was with you the whole way!
Darren Murray
WOW!!! You made it!!!
Im so proud of all of you!
Hope you are enjoying the sun and the hot weather, you deserve it!
Mom, i wish i was coming down to see you but i know claire is super excited!!!
Love you!
Katie
Norbert, I hope your face is feeling better.
So much for any modeling aspirations. Maybe you can get on with medical supply company as a sucher model, did you get the multi colour ones?
Congratulations on your ride!
Darren Murray
Contratulations everyone! There are many families' hearts rejoicing and who are in awe at what you have and are doing for them. What a gift you have given. I just learned about C.T.A.P.P. this FAll thanks to Bill and Megan Darling, and Don and Marilyn. Way to go teams!! Unending support is the key. Enjoy Austin and meeting up with the warriors.
Contratulations everyone! There are many families' hearts rejoicing and who are in awe at what you have and are doing for them. What a gift you have given. I just learned about C.T.A.P.P. this FAll thanks to Bill and Megan Darling, and Don and Marilyn. Way to go teams!! Unending support is the key. Enjoy Austin and meeting up with the warriors.
Wow what a great accomplishment. I am impressed and strangely jealous. Bill you got to talk me into it next year. The Money raised is even more impressive. My congrats goes out to my brother, the Bills, Scott and all of team 3. As “Control central” put it, all of us on the fifth floor are rooting for you. In reading about your activities it sounds very peaceful now. Have fun. Hey “Jim Stick” you did it again. Yesterday’s blog had me in tears laughing so hard and then your “serious” one had me in tears again. I am glad you found your kids. Sounds like you found an extra one too. Hopefully mom lets you keep it.
Congratulations to all the riders. A job well done. Your endurance throughout this trip is almost uncomprehendable. You are Warriors TOO!
Anyway congrats Norbert sounds and reads like you've had the ride of your life. This one will go down in history. How about writing a book?
Relax and soak up the warm sun. God Bless!
Theresa
We are all in awe of how far you have traveled. Patti we can not wait to hear all the stories and see the video. Please know we will all be there in spirit as you take the final ride into Austin. What an amazing journey - congratulations to everyone. Enjoy the weather, getting together with all the warriors and your celebration. Thinking of all of you arriving into Austin brings tears to my eyes!
Teresa (Tre)
(The newest member of the Wellspring Calgary team)
Hello everyone, congratulations AGAIN! Bobbi I am so, so proud of you , I have to say that I have never cried so much reading at the computer. I think of a little 13year old girl in Edmonton (my sister in-laws niece) who is fighting for her life, battling leukemia, and it makes me that much more proud of all of you. The bike ride was probably the easy part for you, but you put in a lot of work raising money and that is commendable. Everyone's stories have touched me and Thank god for Jim Sticks comments to make me laugh, you are definately in the wrong business my dear!! Love you all and give each other a big hug from me when you are reunited.
Love Colette
Congratulations to everyone on your safe arrival in Austin! You definitely have a reason to celebrate and it sure sounded like you were when I was on the phone with Mike (the medic)! What you have done and are doing for the warriors, the ones flying into Austin tomorrow and all the others that will benefit from this ride, is incredible. I hope the weekend goes well for all and that everyone makes it home safely also.
The world needs more caring and determined people like all of you! Awesome job!
Tanya
Great riding everyone! I am really excited about the weekend and meeting all of you. Chad, unless you hear otherwise Andrew and I will see you tomorrow.
Heather
Congradulations on making such a fantastic trip. I am so proud of you all words can not express it. All the hardships of the weather, vehicle break downs and the odd accident, you are all troopers and have done so much and given so much for such a worthy cause. As the son and brother of Cancer victims I thank each and every one of you. You all have brought a little more light to everone effected by this.
Enjoy the warm weather,get much needed rest, and look forward to all of you returning back safely.
Peter Tryon
Congrats to all on a great tour. Norbert, I'm looking forward to seeing those war wounds.
-Jesse
congratulations
Congratulations to all the riders!! It has been a joy following your ride and reading all the amazing stories and adventures. It is difficult to express how much we appreciate all you have done and what this has meant to all the members, volunteers, board members and staff at Wellspring Calgary.
A truly heartfelt thank you to every rider and every volunteer that supported this amazing journey. We wish to also thank the many incredible sponsors and the many donors that have supported Wellspring Calgary through this ride. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of everyone that receives support at Wellspring.
Again, a very special thank you from everyone at Wellspring Calgary!
Calgary Wellspring Team :)
Congrats to all!! What an accomplishment!! Patti, way to go!!!!!!
D
When I was diagnosed with my cancer in April 2006, I remember attending an orientation session at the Tom Baker. The information officer, Loree (I don't recall his last name) spoke about the shock and sadness we must feel, but I remember distinctly something he said that made no sense to me at the time. He said, "you may not realize it now, but you just may find that a cancer diagnosis can bring many positives to your life". I remember looking at him in disbelief!! But, NOW I KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT!!! My cancer has connected me with the most caring, compassionate and dedicated group of people I have ever met!! Congratulations to all of you on the success of your incredible journey. I can't wait to help you celebrate tomorrow and meeting all of you. You are an inspiration!! Thanks again, Wes, for letting me share this experience.
Shirley (Gushue)
Hi to Bobbi, T5 and to all of you that have been on this most incredible journey. You are finally there, I bet you are beyond words, I know that I would be. Bobbi I told Eva David about your trip, and she says to say thank you to everyone who participated. She is a dear friend who has just come through all of the treatments. She got very emotional when I told what you were doing. She says you guys are awesome. Can't wait to see you when you get home and see your pictures and video.
Love you lots Michelle
Congratulations! I am sure tomorrow will be an emotional day for all.
Go Dad!
Ryan
I love you dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a good ride into Austin!
hmmmmm
Congratulations to each rider and volunteer, once again it just proves anything can be accomplished when everyone works as a team to achieve the same goal!!
Laurel, all your friends here in Edmonton are thinking of you and want you to know how proud we are of you. Hope you felt your Mom's embrace when you finished your last Team ride and saw the huge smile on her face.
David and Rick will be there in the next couple of hours looking forward to celebrate and enjoy this amazing event. I am sure ther will be a few tears shed as well.
Be Proud-Each One of Peloton Members ROCK!!!
Barb Perkins
Jim stick's Mom. (I do admit to i!)
Congratulations to everyone on achieving your goal!
Bobbi, I am so proud of you - your team would have to finish on some challenging hills. Nothing easy, eh?
What a wonderful thing to do for Anita, the other warriors, and future care of cancer patients. The four kids did ok, even though they missed you. Waiting to give you a big hug...
Love,
Beryl
Now that we have arrived, I finally have a REAL chance to reflect on this journey and the incredible group of riders, sponsors and most importantly volunteers that logged rediculous hours to provide the support enroute.
With no hesitation I can say that this has been one of my best experiences ever, despite a bit of tough weather and a few bumps and bruises. The challenges that we occasionally faced are minor compared to the adversity faced by cancer warriors. We were always able to find shelter or get patched up and quickly heal while cancer warriors have no choice but to continue their battle 24/7 and face 'weather', 'hills' and 'falls' that are much worse.
Thanks to my incredible team-mates on T5. We had a great time out there with many laughs! Thanks also to the other riders and the many encouraging words of support especially after my crash. This has been an adventure that I will never forget!
Cheers! Norbert
Fantastic work guys. I am very far away and still I got very emotional reading the story and comments.
Isabelle
Congratulations everyone! Enjoy!
Hi Erin!
Josie Lapierre
Where are you Jim Stick? We realize you may be travelling BUT many of us really miss your daily comedy blog!!! We hope you post at least one final comment.
Just a little love note from Wellspring Calgary sent with gratitude and awe for the awesome team of riders, warriors and supporters.
With heartiest congratulations to you all.
From all of us at Wellspring Calgary
It was so good to see all the warriors at the airport this morning, i hope everyone has a blast down there in sunny texas!
Claire, Mom, Carol, take lots of pictures.
You are all so amazing (everyone involved with this whole trip), my heros!
Love Katie
Oh where Oh where has our Jim Stick Gone...
Oh where oh where can he be??
Please come backkkk for one last report!!!!!!
P.S. to my last posting ...I intended but forgot to mention a HUGE THANKS to the medical crew and volunteers that toiled every mile with us to ensure our safety and did what they could to make the tough days as comfortable as possible. You guys rock! ...Norbert
I think the jim stick may have had to go to Ponoka, before he left for Austin. Apparently the 4 kids did him in. Hope he is recovering alright down in Austin. Bobbi how was it to see Jim. Love you lots Michelle
Great job CTAPP! Attaboy Doug R. Good work
The Jacksons
A message has been passed to Jim Stick that his public is awaiting another comment but it may be a day or two before he has time to post it.
Tanya
Congratulations to all the riders, warriors, and volunteers who all made the third installment of the CTAPP trilogy another great success.
--Cory Pytlarz
Wow! I am so proud of all of you for what you are doing and the tough trip you had down to Austin this year! I was a warrior last year and it meant the world to me to be able to come down and be a part of such an amazing team! I still brag about it to everyone I meet now!!! Congratulations on your long ride and know that the best is yet to come! You are giving the warriors a break from something that troubles them every day back home ... this really will be a nice, relaxing break for them! All the best and I hope to see you all again soon ... maybe even ride next year!
WHAT A RIDE!
We just had our welcome back party at the 'Art a la Carte Scream Run' and let me tell you those folks know how to throw a party. It was good to see everyone again and to particpate in a family walk/run on such a brisk sunny October morning. The school children made us these unbelievable medals - they were so colorful and so much better than I had ever dreamed, what a nice surprise. Thank you!
This adventure is one I will remember always. The ride down to Austin was a blast, but really the icing on the cake was spending the weekend in Austin with Anita. In speaking with Anita after we returned home, she commented on how much energy she had, and how she didn't realize how much she like to ride the bike. She hopes to get better, and get into cycling and even mentioned doing the ride herself... Now that's what it's all about.
To all the warrior's out there fighting cancer, don't give up the fight, keep that fire burning and know that we are all here for you. You have such a big support of family here at Cancervive and Wellspring - use it, eat it up.
Brian McGregor - thank you for letting me ride, this one will stay in the memory book forever.
Team 5 - all I have to say is thank you...
Bobbi
PS The 'Jim Stick' is rumored to be making one more final blog - stay tuned.
Good words.
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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