Novartis Head Office (Switzerland) Recognizes "Ride for the Cure"

I am happy to report today that the Novartis head office in Basel has featured our team's efforts at the top of the Novartis corporate intranet, reaching all Novartis employees worldwide. Please find attached the screen print.

Cheers,
Henry

Reflections on the ride from Ian

What can you say about the trip of a lifetime? So much has changed for all the people who were involved in this endeavour. We were all amazed at the generosity of others on the ride, and in particular the people who fully sponsored us before we even started on this ride. I would like to thank everyone who supported us in the endeavour; however, I know that I cannot do this appropriately; I cannot thank you enough for your support.

What did I learn on this ride? I was amazed by how people can come together and become such close friends in only 3 days. I learned that many of the things holding us back from going for our dream are our own internal fears. Three weeks ago when I was approached to join this team my biggest fear was the 200 km day. I did not know if I could ever ride this far. This was 80 Km farther than I had ever ridden in one day before and I almost dropped out of the ride for this reason alone. I would like to thank Alain for pushing me forward and making me commit to do this ride. It has been a once in a life time achievement.

What is sore? Besides the obvious; my feet. I learned that I have “rider’s hot foot”. This is a condition that affects many riders once they pass the 80 km mark. For those of you who have experienced “hot foot” you know the pain. For the rest it can only be described as unbelievable. It is like holding a lighter to your feet. As we did 130 to 200 Kms a day I suffered this pain every day of the ride and on two occasions I needed to get off my bike to rest my feet to let the pain subside. I know it is nothing like the pain of the patients we rode for, however, I learned that if there is a will to do something there is always a way, and the pain will not stop you!!

For those of you who asked me “how did you do it”, and “I could not do this” remember, I was one of you three weeks ago. If you have dreams then “go for it" and have fun doing it.

I would like to thank Alain, Jeff, Claudine, Anne, Henry, and Jason for making this ride a truly enjoyable experience, and more importantly for the friendship that developed along the way.

Ian

A few comments from our supporters

Dear all,

Many readers and supporters have been sending in their feedback from this ride. We would like to share a few of these comments:

Ian Henderson wrote:
"Congratulations on your successful ride to Montreal and for all the good you did for breast cancer research. Very impressive athletic achievement to make it that far. Congratulations."

Andrew Dostie wrote:
Keep going riders! You are all supporting something that you believe in and that is truly something to admire. Your courage has pushed me to do something myself. I signed up for the walk for the cure today and will try and raise as much money as I can. Thank you for the inspiration you gave me and many other people all over. I also appreciate everything your doing because I know a cancer survivor and I know that she is touched by your efforts. Keep up the good work.

Karine Dostie wrote:
Hello curagious riders, thank you for supporting a very important cause. Your passion and determination inspires many. I'm sending a special thought to all of you (especialy to my "papa") good luck!

Thank you for the continual outpouring of support for this cause!

Cheers,
Henry

Statistics from the ride

Overall distance: 604 km
Longest ride: 200 km (6.5 hours of riding, 7:15AM start)
Avg speed of longest ride: 31km/h (calm conditions, and a 5km/hr tail wind just outside of Brockville)
Approx. number of revolutions made by our legs during the 200km ride: 33,000
Fuel for each day's ride: 6-7 large water bottles (half with Gatorade), 2-3 bananas, granola bars, peanuts (salted), 2 Power bars, 12 inch all-dressed sub for lunch with 2 cookies and juice, 4 Aspirin.
Mechanical problems: nothing serious, a loose headset & handle bars, two flat tires (one exploding in the hotel lobby in Toronto), and a few miss-aligned gears by the end of the trip
Estimated time needed for legs and backside to recover: 1-2 weeks (except Anne, who could have probably rode back to Toronto the next day)
Rain: only 5 min, just outside of Montreal
Number of donors supporting the team: over 250
Overall funds to date: over $21,000 (and still growing)
Stories collected from those affected by breast cancer while on the road: 5
Approximate number of Novartis employees awaiting our arrival: 100
Number of inquiries about next year's ride (already): 10

...and about the blog?
Days the blog has now been live: 13
Number of members: 7
Number of posts: 25
Number of visits: 350
Average visits/day: 36
Average visit length: 6 minutes 15 seconds
Number of pages viewed: 1,201

What a ride!

After four days, 604 kms, two pulled knee tendons and a lot of great memories, the ride has come to an end. I could not finish the ride on my bike due to the injury sustained on Days #2 and #3, but rode out the rest of the trip in the support vehicle desperately wanting to be on my bicycle with the team. I will know better for next year to train longer for this ride, do longer distances, and remind myself that my body is not an elastic. Sometimes things that stretch do not always stretch back.
The bond that grew between the seven participants in this ride was amazing. For the most part strangers before this ride, we grew into great friends. The people we got to know along the way were amazing. I will always remember the generosity of spirit and pocketbooks of complete strangers, who cheered us on and funded our cause. I will also remember the celebration that awaited us back in the office where we finished our ride. Some 1oo employees waiting on the front lawn of Novartis head office, balloons blowing in the wind and a resounding cheer when we turned into the driveway leading to our reception. We felt like veterans returning from a war. Heros of some sort. It was truly amazing. In the end, we have pledges for $21,000 or more for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and it looks like actual donations may even grow beyond this amount. It was such an amazing feeling to be part of this effort and, once I recover from the wounds from this trip, I will start to train for next year's ride. I am just assuming this will be a yearly tradition and something that will grow not only in fundraising, but also in participation. Watch out for that stretch of Novartis blue along a highway near you next year!!

Together, we can make a difference!

The last four days have been some of the best days of my life. I had the privilege of spending them with six dedicated, courageous and inspiring individuals who demonstrated that we can make a difference. Together, we raised more than $22,000 dollars so that our mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, and colleagues do not have to face a battle with breast cancer in the future.

I went to bed last night, not thinking of how sore and tired I was, but thinking of:

• Gail, the owner of a beautiful farm near Newcastle, who shared with us her experiences as a breast cancer survivor as we sat on her front lawn having lunch while watching Paul Simpson’s two beautiful children running around laughing and playing.

• Carol, the owner of a wonderful restaurant in Cobourg, who shared with us her personal scare with breast cancer. We inquired about her restaurant making a donation to breast cancer research. We thought that 25% of our dinner bill would be an appropriate donation. Carol pledged to donate 100% of our bill, tips included, for a total donation of $500.

• Brenda, our waitress with the contagious smile at Chez Piggy Restaurant in Kingston, whose manager donated the value of our bill to breast cancer ($527)
  
• 
• Nicole, a massage therapist from Cornwall, who had a close friend who died from breast cancer at the very young age of 29. Nicole donated her time and provided massages to all of the riders at the end of our 200 km day.
• Jean, a wonderful breast cancer survivor from Dorval who warmly thanked us for our efforts to find a cure for breast cancer.
  
• Jeff Martens, a passionate individual with a golden sense of humor. Jeff it is an honor to be working with you. Thank you for planning the Ride with me, for booking the hotel, identifying the itinerary…

• Henry Anderson, a generous man that I am so glad I got to know. Henry, thank you for setting up the blog so our friends and family could follow us during the ride. I look forward to many more rides with you when you get the new bike you deserve!

• Ian “Power” Johnson, the most determined rider I have ever seen, it was a pleasure to be with you when you biked your first century (100 miles / 160 km) for the first time on Sunday and the 200 km ride on Monday. The joy on your face will be forever etched in my mind. Thank you for letting us use your truck and for your constant encouragement.

• Anne ‘Guzzminator’, the ultimate cyclist, thank you for your riding advice, the trip would not been the same without the “butter” joke. I look forward to seeing you pursue your personal legend.

• Jason Jacobs, the communications ‘King’. Thank you for joining the Ride and making sure that the rest of the world knew about it. I look forward to riding with you next year!

• Claudine Boisvert, my “Novartis Associate of the Year”. Claudine, the ride would not have been the same without your positive attitude, your endless support and sense of humor. Thank you for being you!

Thank you to all the people who donated, without you the Ride for the Cure could not have happened. Together, we will find a cure to breast cancer!

Together, we can make a difference!


Alain

Pain for Gain 2

One numb index finger,
2 stiff and cramped legs,
2 knotted shoulders,
One pyschological aversion to bicycle seats

equals one completed 600 km Ride for the Cure! Priceless!

I can't wait until next year!

Tired...but fingers can still type (a bit)

Dear reader,

I'm categorizing today as one of life's achievements thus far... our group cycled an impressive:
200km. I am amazed at this accomplishment and the team effort to reach this target--I will not be posting a full update this evening due to our later arrival and the general fatigue by the whole team, but we will be updating today's entry with a bunch of terrific photos once back in the office.

Tomorrow's weather looks a bit troubling--rain and a 20km/h headwind--this will be tough.

Lastly, please note that we will be editing out some of the more candid photos on the blog in the very near future.

Regards,
Henry

Stretching our limits and, unfortunately, our knee muscles

Highlights from Day #2 include getting waved by a gang of long-bearded bikers as they drove along Highway #2, driving through the Terry Fox Run in Quinte West, and travelling 160 kms in one day on a bicycle. All firsts. Unfortunately, at the end of Day #2, I had pulled some muscles in both knees, which forced me off my bike for most of Day #3. The pain that was building at the end of Day #2 turned out to be a sharp pain in Day #3 right above my knee caps and -- much against my desire to be cycling -- I had to spend a large portion of the day nursing my knees in the hope that I might be able to finish this tour on Day #4.
We have had the chance to see more people touched by breast cancer and our efforts. Last night in Kingston, the owner of the famous Chez Piggy restaurant (I'm not kidding -- it is a landmark in Kingston) pledged to match the dollar amount of our restaurant bill as a donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and the owner of the Best Western hotel where we stayed also agreed to make a significant donation to the Foundation.
Today was the longest ride of the three days at 190 kms, and probably the hottest. In total, the group covered 200 kms in one day today, which is no small task.
Cycling is a great way to see the country, although it is definitely not for everyone. We have seen beautiful Ontario towns, and Highway #2 has allowed us to ride right through the middle of them. In most cases, we have cycled right through the main street of the town, passing the townhall in most places.
This morning I did an interview with a local Cornwall radio station on our ride to raise funds for breast cancer research. It is our hope that the interview -- and any subsequent interviews -- will encourage others to donate to the ride effort through the www.cibcrunforthecure.com site.

Ride 2 summary: Novartis Ride for the Cure joins the “Century Club"

Departure time: 8:08AM
Arrival time: 3:00 PM
Actual distance: 160km
Time: 5:30
Av Speed: 29km/h
Max speed: 50.5km/h
# flat tires: 1 (Jason)
Number of “pit stops:” 9
Sore body parts: butt, wrists, a few sore necks/upper backs and feet
Unsore body parts: can’t think of any

Brief ride synopsis:
After a great first day, expectations were high for this longer ride and the team delivered. After an on-time departure, the team quickly got into the rhythm and the peleton set a strong pace out of town. No wind, few cars (or hills) and the odd Terry Fox run organized in the smaller towns kept our spirits high and we quickly surpassed 100km before stopping for lunch. The ride was pretty flat, if not slightly downhill, with generally good road conditions. Once again, Claudine would not let her Counting Crows take a break for the second day straight.

We completed the remaining 60km in the heat of the day (and a few more pit stops) and only 1 flat tire. After completing the 160km ride, we have officially entered the “century club” for riding 100 miles in a day. Iain and Alain won the free massages after the ride, and the rest of the team headed to the 60o water in the outdoor pool.

Once again, the hospitality our hosts exceeded all expectations. The hotel owner (Best Western—Fireside) contributed a generous portion of each room to charity and the restaurant (Chez Piggy—excellent food, and Brenda—our server who’d been there for 26 years was amazing) donated 100% of our meal to the cause. To date, contributions from restaurant owners alone has exceeded $1,000!!

Our overall fundraising total has now exceeded $20,500

Monday promises to be a very challenging day—the forecast is good, but we are all a little “spent” after a hot and long ride.

Best,
Henry

Pictures from Day 2 of the ride

Pain for Gain

What a great 2 days! Over the past two days I have witnessed a group of colleagues come together as a team. Over the past two days I have developed a renewed faith in peoples generousity as they have given unselfishly while cheering us along. Over the past two days I have discovered an inner strength I didn't know I had. I have pushed my body over 385km, rode through pain, rode through knotting muscles- but still managed to push one pedal over another. At the end of the day it was well worth it, I can't wait for tomorrow!

Ian posting under Henry's name: (computer log-in problems)
Ride for the Cure has been an exciting couple of days so far, and tomorrow will be one of the most physically challenging days I think I will every have. Today can only be described as a fantastic day. It is the first time I have broken the 100 mile ride – 160.3KM). One thing I have fully realized during the ride is that the group of us are having a huge impact on people. During the ride we have meet several cancer survivors and heard there stories. For me it has brought home the real reason we are riding and has changed the reason for the ride. In the beginning it was to see if I could do it, and now it is to get behind a cause and fully support it.

Bye for now
Ian

Amazed by how moved people are by breast cancer

Yesterday we saw the generosity of people touched by breast cancer. It is fair to say that we feel even better about this challenge of mind and body. The recognition that we get by people on the street -- cheering us on from their back porches or decks, honking their horns, or allowing us safe passage on the busy road -- has been great. On top of that, we have met two great people touched by the disease. One was along Highway #2 near Newscastle. We stopped when a fellow Novartis colleague, Paul Simpson, drove by with his two children. We thought it was an ideal time to have lunch. We landed on Gail's front lawn, and she came out to talk to us. Turns out, she had been treated for breast cancer, and was very thankful for the effort that we were making. A lot of smiles and a bag of home-grown apples later, we were on on our way. When we arrived at our destination for the first night in the beach town of Cobourg (town of 18,000 on Lake Ontario), we went out for dinner at a restaurant on King Street called Oasis, an old home renovated into a very friendly restaurant. The owner of the restaurant (Carole) pledged to give us the price of our meal (with tip) as a donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Turns out, she had had a scare with breast cancer as well not too long ago. She was a wonderful woman.
From a pain (er, cycling) perspective, I had never cycled more than 60 kms in one day. I found the first 80 kms pretty good, a small tailwind and a sunny day carrying us along. After 80 kms, my legs, butt and lack were hurting, but the advice from the team helped a little. After 100 kms, I realized I was a little dehydrated and my legs were seizing up and aching, but I found the energy and mental focus to get to Cobourg. I am satisfied with getting here, but I know that we have 75% of our trip left. I am excited about today's journey, which will add another 30 kms on the total distance from yesterday. Thanks again to all those that have donated to this cause. Last night, we had a total of 140 visits to this site, and that was early in the evening.

Wow, what a first day!

I wrote a couple of days ago that I felt privilege to be working for Novartis. Today, after a spectacular day, this statement took its full meaning as a witness the teamwork, determination & passion demonstrated by my fellow riders. The encouragement and support was admirable and enlightening. Such demonstration of camaraderie is a phenomenal source of energy.

Today’s lunch was truly special, we stop in front of an old farm house and took cover under the shade of beautiful trees. The owner of the farm came and greeted us on her property, she brought us freshly picked apples and proceeded to tell us she was a breast cancer survivor. This is why we are all doing this ride, for women like Gail. The sense of pride amongst our team rose to a new level.

Tonight dinner was as special, we eat a wonderful restaurant called the Oasis. The owner, the staff & the cook treated us like royalty. The food was excellent, but the charm of the Oasis emanated from the warmth, generosity and smile of the owner, Carol did not only agree to make a donation a $500 donation to the breast cancer foundation, she treated us like family. Thank you Carol for a memorable experience, your restaurant is an Oasis of joy and hope.

Time for me to go to bed, tomorrow 150 Km to Kingston!

Alain

PS If we would like to be part of finding a Cure to Breast Cancer, you can do so by making a donation to the Breast Cancer Foundation at the following web site:

https://www.cibcrunforthecure.com/html/personal_page.asp?track=1263060&languageid=1

First day synopsis: What a great day!

Departure time: 8:15AM
Actual distance: 128km
Time: 4:30
Av Speed: 26.6km/h
Max speed: 57km/h
# wrong turns: 1
Average number of “pit stops:” 5 (higher for Iain)
Sore body parts: butt, wrists, a few sore necks/upper backs and feet

Brief ride synopsis:
Overall this was a beautiful start to the tour, we had a perfect day weather wise (30oC at lunch, slight winds from the N/NE), were met with generosity and encouragement in each town and countless car honks. Everyone pulled through the ride in fine form and we quickly figured out how to rotate the “pack” (front riders) every 3 minutes. When the road narrowed, we rode single file, otherwise we had 2 lines—Claudine was the perfect support, blocking cars behind with her flashers and blaring the Counting Crows over the CD player. The scenery was beautiful and the roads were generally smooth—a few rolling hills near Port Hope, but otherwise flat.

Amazing stories of the day:
The owner of the farmhouse we happened to stop at was a breast cancer survivor! After starting lunch, she came out to congratulate us and share her story—then she gave us a huge bag of apples from her farm. Please see the group photo on the grass, the lady in the middle is Gail Rickard—Gail, thank you for sharing your story and your front lawn with us!

This evening we have a craving for RED MEAT and are going to the steak house—Alain went to check in the proprietor and she has agreed to donate our meal this evening!! If anyone ever stops by Cobourg around dinner time, please visit the “Oasis restaurant”.

Cheers,
Henry

First day pictures

The eve of the ride

No turning back now, I'm the last still up the day before the ride in the Delta Chelsea hotel in downtown Toronto updating everyone on the days events. Here they are--the pictures will hopefully follow tomorrow.

1PM established departure time: Claudine asks "where is the team?" (Answer, still at our desks)

2PM most of us heading to load the car (Henry still at desk)

2:30PM everyone starts to load the car--we realize we will be driving through the downpour that hit Toronto in the morning, so we take steps to wrap the chain, seats and bars (the exertion triggers Jason's lunch break)

3PM-4PM finally on the road, we suddenly realize the point of no return has just passed--we spend the first hour in the car laughing at everything to calm our nerves--it rains most of the way, and we are thankful today was not the first day of the journey.

8PM We arrive safely at the hotel and meet up with Alain and Anne and head to an Italian restaurant to load up on carbs and toast tomorrow's ride. Alain produced the shirts over dinner and they look very professional for the team.

I've had trouble uploading images this evening, but will try again tomorrow--after the first stretch. Everyone's a bit nervous.

Cheers,
Henry

On the eve of an exciting trip

Bonsoir,

10:55 PM on Friday night. Tomorrow is the big start ! We had our first team dinner, the spirit is up, everybody is a little bit anxious about the weather, it rain all day in Toronto.

We are going starting our ride tomorrow at Nathan Phillips Square, it should be great.

I am also impress by fellow riders, for the vast majority of us it will be the first long trip. Their determination to ride is equal to their efforts in fundraising. We are very close to achieving our goal, if you want to support us you can do so at:

https://www.cibcrunforthecure.com/html/personal_page.asp?track=1259500&languageid=1

Alain

Fundraising coming along great!

I would like to thank all my sponsors -- individuals, colleagues, friends, family and business partners -- who have been donating to this cause. It is really making a difference. To date, I have pledges of more than $3,000, and I have received actual donations of about $1,700 to date. A special thanks to some of our business partners that have already contributed $200 or more to this cause: Fleishman-Hillard, Robert Viau, Francois Thivierge/Hc3 Health Care Communication Concepts, and National. This is greatly appreciated.
I have to say that I am a little spooked by the cycle, now that I know that we will have rain, Easterly winds, and because I am fighting to keep a cold at bay! It appears that we will be riding between two weather systems, both of which carry with them rain and wind. I am hoping that we will have a patch of blue sky over us the entire way while rain pours on the horizon both behind us and ahead us. I guess this is just hopeful thinking.
We are packing up the car in the next 30 mins or so to head to Toronto for the cycle, and we will be on the road tomorrow morning. More news from the road!

First Post by Ian

We are 18 hours away from the ride. I have all the supply we need. I am concerned that the weather will not be in our favor and that we as a team will struggle. My goal is to ride the entire trip. I know that a lot of people have supported me on this ride and I have truly appreciated their financial and moral support. I am looking forward to an exciting ride and to see if I have what it takes to do the 600K route.

Ian

Stages of the ride

Here is the breakdown of the four stages we will be riding:

Day 1: Toronto to Cobourg, 115km

Day 2: Cobourg to Kingston, 150km

Day 3: Kingston to Cornwall, 180km

Day 4: Cornwall to Montreal, 100km

Proud to be working for Novartis

Bonjour,

Every so often in life we find ourselves involve in a project that truly inspire us. The Ride for the Cure is such a project for me, I find myself privilege to be given the opportunity to contribute to finding a cure for breast cancer so my daughter does not have to contemplate a future where a disease could rob her from enjoying her children, friends and family.

I am convince that the funds that my friends and colleagues are donating can and will make the difference in the life of my daughter and the millions of women and family who suffer from breast cancer.

The Novartis Ride for the Cure would not have been possible without the unconditional support of Novartis. Every single Novartis Associates I have talked to is supporting this event, by providing two of their most valuable resources (time & money).

I would like to specifically thank the following individuals without who the Ride for the Cure could not of happen: John Dorsey, Rajiv DeSilva, Shelley Brown, Claudine Boisvert, Shirley Barret, Marie-Anne Paquette, Happie Testa, Jeff Marchand, my fellow riders and most importantly everybody who is donating to find a cure to breast cancer.

Alain

Team jerseys

Here are the shots of our form-fitting Cannondale team jerseys for the ride. Note the back view appears on the left.

This should be fun!

Well I just got onto this blog site...a new experience for me this whole blog thing! I am excited about our ride to Montreal, it sounds like we may have quite the adventure. We could only be so lucky to have 4 nice dry days!! And a tailwind..I think some harsh conditions will just make the trip more staisfying...right team!
I am making a trip to the grocery store Thursay...this I know, as 6 hrs on the bike makes for a HUNGRY hungry woman!! So I think that is on top of mind for me. As for getting there, well of course we will, that is all there is to it!
I am sure we will get to know one another quite well over these 20 odd ours....it will be a great time with some trials and tests I am sure!

For now, train hard!

Anne

Jason's initial thoughts on the ride

We are all very excited and perhaps a little scared about the daunting task of doing this ride. I have been cycling for a couple hours in the morning before work to get my legs used to cycling. I am a complete and utter novice cycler. I never thought I would try to cycle from Toronto to Montreal, although I have driven the route many times. The last time I drove it (this past weekend), I imagined cycling it. I imagined the head wind, the legs cramping, the steep hills, and the exhaustion closing in on our destination. I also thought about what a wonderful cause this is, and it would all be very worthwhile. I have to admit I am really looking forward to the challenge.