As mentioned previously, this is another memorable and successful year for raising funds for #CHILDRENSCANCERRESEARCH. I have had new riding partners this year joining me in our journey to 705 miles presently. There's a chance I'll add in one more ride on this last day of the challenge. It's looking as though all of the goals established for this year's challenge will be met.
I picked up a new riding partner and fellow GCC rider, Laura Crossman. She has joined Andrew and I on a couple of rides now, one of which was a bit of a challenge, but she took it on with full determination! I'm looking forward to many more rides with Laura.
Andrew and I did a challenge within a challenge when we took on the ride up Whiteface Mountain again this year. He set a personal best for his climb, and we had a picture-perfect day for the climb and the views! Well done, Andrew! The following day we went out on what I jokingly say is my recovery pace at 18 mph for 25 miles. I didn't hear that much grumbling from Andrew. 🤣 We followed that day with another recovery riding day (18.5 mph average over 30.6 miles) and broke through my 500-mile pledge for the month.
On September 22nd, we departed for Taylorsville NC to ride with another Rouvy (vr riding site) friend for the 1st time in real life. Chad Ritchie toured us around his area that was very hilly. You gain 100' for every mile of riding. It's a great area to build strength as a rider! One of our rides was a little more memorable than the others on the Virginia Creeper Trail when we got caught in a thunderstorm just after making the turn at the halfway point of the route half we started with. Needless to say having been completely soaked and covered in mud from the wheel spray, we never completed the other 36 miles of the trail. Something for another time. Chad and his wife Sheila were terrific hosts and we immensely enjoyed our time there supporting #GCC!
Leaving North Carolina before the rain got too severe, we came back home and enticed Laura to join us on a 62-mile route going over Dannemora Mtn and around Chazy Lake with a little stop at the Farmhouse Pantry for a quick snack before completing the days ride. I think she used my name in vain a few times on the climbs on this route! 🤣 She was much happier when we went to Le Faim Gourmet, who was sponsoring us $2.00 for each meal sold that day, and she had her smoked meat poutine along with a refreshment with Andrew and I back at my place after the ride. I should find out today what Denis at Le Faim Gourmet will be pledging based upon the number of meals sold.
We had another terrific fall day yesterday to throw in another ride just shy of 34 miles along with my friend John Kellogg. It was another one of those recovery days after doing the bigger ride the day before, at 18.2 mph average. We had another rider pass us while I was stopped to take my gel. When we re-started, I got a little spirited and decided to chase the carrot. Even after the ride the day before, I still had a little energy to burn. What were Andrew's thoughts when I went past John to take the lead? Here we go! Not again! Get ready to pick up the pace! 🤣
I will be posting another shorter update at some point with our final numbers. This one was a bit lengthy as I had site issues when I attempted to post my last update, so this left a lot to catch up on.
Thank you immensely to all of my family and friends far and wide, for your generosity, your kind words of support, and to all of my friends that have ridden with me in support throughout this challenge! ❤ The miles went by quickly!
We also earned the Hero jersey again this year, a legacy I hope will be achieved every year I ride for #GCC. Here is Lillian's brother Christain modeling the jersey!
This is quickly becoming a memorable year of fundraising for #Children's Cancer Research in the #GreatCycleChallenge! My friend Andrew is here again this year from Scotland providing great company and ride support. I also have the support of some local friends as well, some of which I hope to ride with for the 1st time during this challenge also. I've added other riding friends from my virtual riding world of Rouvy such as Gilles Beaulieu and there will be more 1st time riding friends from Rouvy as the month progresses, so be sure to have a look at my page for ride updates periodically.
You, as donors, have been very kind and supportive for this cause that I support annually to the point at which we have now surpassed our initial goals and currently stand at $4060 raised! Your kind words and encouragement have inspired me to accumulate 365 of the 500 miles I have pledged to date. It’s looking as if I’ll greatly surpass my mileage pledge as we have also surpassed my initial fundraising goal. My sincere and heartfelt thanks go out to every one of you.
There is still time for me to turn the pedals to accumulate more miles and there is still time for additional contributions to come in to support this wonderful cause. At the very least, please share my page and if you can, donate, no matter what amount. It all adds up to help these kids’ beat cancer.