Ride for the Cure - A story of inspiration
It is now a full 24 hours since the end of the ride, and my legs are still heavy like lead from the 600 kms. In spite of the heaviness, I am light from the energy of completing such a long cycle. I am also feeling great from the comraderie, commitment and determination of the people on this cycle... all of whom got through the 600 kms, through heat, through long stretches of road, dealing with impulsive and dangerous drivers... and all riders exceeded their fundraising goals. This was a fantastic achievement. We have reached our $50,000 fundraising target, and are now fundraising beyond it. We encourage you to contribute to this important cause, especially if our stories can motivate you. Go to the right margin and you can find links to donate to anyone of the riders or to the team. Your donations go directly to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the CIBC Run for the Cure.
I would like to tell you about the determination of one of the riders: Philippe Carriere. Philippe is the only competitive cyclist in our group, and played an important role in helping us with cycling technique, pushing us to our limits and keeping the mood upbeat in spite of the rain, heat and long stretches of road. One would hear him whistling the theme song to the Harlem Globetrotters as he effrotlessly glided past us on his bike while the rest of us were panting like huskies on a hot summer's day, trying to keep our hard 40 km/hour pace. He is an inspiration, not only of physical endurance, but of positive attitude and supportive team spirit. On Tuesday, Philippe was riding with us in the rain back to Montreal along a potholed service road when his front tire went into a pothole filled with rain. Most potholes were an inch deep, but this one was about five inches deep. I don't think Philippe's wheel came out of the pothole. It blew and Phillipe flew over the handle bars and landed on the road. I was riding beside him and saw his backwheel go up, narrowly missing me. The other riders swerved to miss him, but not before one other cyclist crashed as well. The other cyclist is fine. Philippe -- inspite of the fall -- immediately jumped to his feet and walked around assessing the pain and damage, before he tried to get BACK ON HIS BIKE to finish the last 70 kms of the ride. He cycled another 3-4 kms before he got off his bike and climbed in the support vehicle. In spite of his injury -- broken ligaments and tissues around the shoulder which will likely leave a lifelong reminder of the ride -- he maintained composure and a sense of humour through the event. He even tried to get back on his ride, strongly wishing to finish the ride with the rest of his team mates. This was truly an inspiration to me, and something that is missed in his $2,000+ fundraising contribution to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
I would like to tell you about the determination of one of the riders: Philippe Carriere. Philippe is the only competitive cyclist in our group, and played an important role in helping us with cycling technique, pushing us to our limits and keeping the mood upbeat in spite of the rain, heat and long stretches of road. One would hear him whistling the theme song to the Harlem Globetrotters as he effrotlessly glided past us on his bike while the rest of us were panting like huskies on a hot summer's day, trying to keep our hard 40 km/hour pace. He is an inspiration, not only of physical endurance, but of positive attitude and supportive team spirit. On Tuesday, Philippe was riding with us in the rain back to Montreal along a potholed service road when his front tire went into a pothole filled with rain. Most potholes were an inch deep, but this one was about five inches deep. I don't think Philippe's wheel came out of the pothole. It blew and Phillipe flew over the handle bars and landed on the road. I was riding beside him and saw his backwheel go up, narrowly missing me. The other riders swerved to miss him, but not before one other cyclist crashed as well. The other cyclist is fine. Philippe -- inspite of the fall -- immediately jumped to his feet and walked around assessing the pain and damage, before he tried to get BACK ON HIS BIKE to finish the last 70 kms of the ride. He cycled another 3-4 kms before he got off his bike and climbed in the support vehicle. In spite of his injury -- broken ligaments and tissues around the shoulder which will likely leave a lifelong reminder of the ride -- he maintained composure and a sense of humour through the event. He even tried to get back on his ride, strongly wishing to finish the ride with the rest of his team mates. This was truly an inspiration to me, and something that is missed in his $2,000+ fundraising contribution to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
posted by Anonymous @ 8:18 p.m.
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