August 12, 2025 - Day 12

Out the door by 7:15 a.m. to get my ride in, as it's going to be another hot one today! So, all of my supporters have been stellar again this year, and now I am doing my part in getting the riding done, despite the heat!

So, what we often hear is this, "they probably already have a cure for cancer, but big pharma just makes more money if they don't share that there is a cure!" You have heard it, I have heard it, we all have probably heard this at some point! But here's the thing, even if they have, we raise money that goes into research to develop new and better treatment options for all those fighting cancer. All that research costs money, so who wouldn't want to help to do just that, regardless of whether there already is a cure or not.....better treatment options to enhance the lives of cancer patients in treatment, should be everyone's wish! Together we can make a difference, so let's do this!

August 11, 2025 - Day 11 Morning Ride

When the temperatures are very hot, it's best to get out early. At 8:00 a.m. it was already 24 degrees, so I went for a ride before having breakfast. By time I got back it was already 27 degrees. The day consisted of returning a lot of bottles and cans to the beer store, getting a donation of a few bags of cans from a total stranger, and then headed to a donor to touch base before Match Day. A quick stop at the bank and then back home. After a short break, I headed out of town to have lunch with my SIL, pick up a few boxes of empty bottles from a friend's house out of town. After lunch I headed back to Woodstock, as I had received a message about a bag of empty cans/bottles for pickup. I was going to have a visit with a friend, while counting out the beer cans on her lawn, but did you know that you cannot navigate your way around Woodstock without running into a detour. I was at the east end of the city, but detour after detour, put me at the west end of the city so I opted to go home instead. More counting of cans/bottles and another trip to the beer store. Then home and update all the material to keep track of everything. Done for the day I think.

August 11, 2025 - Day 11 Evening Ride

Continuation from my busy day......a short quick ride to touch base with a few people, to remind them about Match Day on Wednesday. Not too many kilometers because it's still hot outside.

Back home and get all the paperwork caught up.....almost done now and almost time for bed as well....lol

Tomorrow is another day....you will find me at Your Independent Store in Ingersoll for one last day to promote Match Day! Might even do a group ride in Mt. Pleasant on Friday, but we shall see.

August 10, 2025 - Day 10

You know what they say about the best made plans….well the plan to get up and do a short ride before church and the heat setting in, didn’t happen! When I got up the clock showed 7:49 a.m. so that meant no riding today as it was super hot and more of an indoor day! Not to let the day go by without a ride though, I waited till after dinner when it was only 28 degrees outside, but the humidity was not too high, and it actually wasn’t a bad ride. I will try for an early morning ride tomorrow but we shall see how that plays out!🤣

August 9, 2025 - Day 9

Six thirty thought…I should get up and get a few kilometers in before the heat! But my bed kept calling and saying “no”!

Seven thirty and my thought was “get out there before it gets really hot”, so quick throw on the biking shorts and a t shirt and off I go!

Now it’s done….and it’s hot! Afternoon looks like it will be pool time today!

August 8, 2025 - Day 8

Today I did not ride at all. Match Day was announced and that meant it was time to get to work promoting it, I made a few different flyers and headed off to the local grocery store and set up a table. No biking today, but a very productive day at the store again. MATCH DAY this year is August 13, 2025 and I have some amazing prizes to offer for those making their donation on Wednesday. If you were planning to donate in the near future, save it for Match Day, and have a chance at doing a River Dinner Cruise with friends, or perhaps if boats and water and eating are not your thing, $200.00 of Scratch'n'Win ticketes would keep you busy for quite a while and if that's not your thing, how about an hour at a Japanese Head Massage Spa, and an LCBO gift card along with a Dining card?

August 7, 2025 - Day 7

Late day ride today as the munchkin did a sleepover and then a ride home this afternoon! But the ride must go on so after dinner I headed out for 11.8 km to add to my total, making 111.1 km or 37% of my riding finished….and it’s only the end of week one!

So that makes 37% of my riding and 34% of my fundraising achieved! I will keep cycling and hope YOU will keep donating, to help the kids fighting cancer! While a date has not been set for Match Day, I did read somewhere that there will be a Matxh Day, so if you want your donation to have a bigger impact on my ride, save your donation for Match Day! I will post the date as soon as it is released by GCC….and there are a few cool prizes as incentive to make your donation on that date! WATCH FOR IT!

August 6, 2025 - Day 6 -Thames Valley Parkway Ride

Last night I had the opportunity to bike the Thames Valley Parkway in London, Ontario. It was a very pleasant ride along a trail that was scenic, mostly flat, and all paved. There were many people on the trail, walking, scootering, biking and rollerblading. Our group was not large, but included 4 GCC riders, and two tag-alongs who just wanted to ride. Despite my RELIVE video indicated I only rode 19.8 kilometers, the actual ride was 23.4 by a couple of the other riders....the hazards of not "resuming" the ride after taking stops for pictures,.....and ice cream! We stopped at DISTRICT in London, and had the best raspberry/lemon sorbet! We started riding shortly after six and finished at nine, with lots of stops in between.

So, for me, the riding is just the fun part, but really, this is ALL ABOUT RAISING MONEY FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER! Donations to my ride are always welcome, and I have seen a post stating that MATCH DAY will happen, but that an actual date has not been decided as yet. Making your donation on MATCH DAY, will have a larger impact on my totals, so please feel free to do your donation on that day. Watch my Facebook page, where I will post what day will be designated as such. If you want a reminder the day before, please message me, and I will add you to the list of people to reach out to on that day!

August 4, 2025 - Day 4

Out for a shorter ride today, as I found my biking legs once again! The weather was good for riding, however, the air quality isn't great. I collect another donation and added a few more kilometers. So far 65.6 of 300 kilometers completed! I might get out to do another ride a bit later today to get to 25% of my ride total! Keep the donations coming. Everyone, regardless of size, is greatly appreciated, and helps in the fight to help kids fighting cancer!

August 3, 2025 - Day 3 - Hamilton Group Ride

This morning we headed to Hamilton so I could join a group ride there. I must say, it was a fun ride, but I suspect that my longer biking days are coming to an end. I could definitely tell the difference between last year and this year, doing this ride. Perhaps my niche is fundraising more than biking. I am thankful that I am only committed to doing 300 kilometers this year and I am quite certain I won't be signing up for any 40 km rides this year. It's always fun to be together with other GCC riders, so I will have to just go on shorter rides I guess. I wonder whether age might play a role in the struggle for riding this year?