Almost There!

It's now less than a week before we ride. I'm sneaking peeks a the Weather Channel everyday and so far the first few days look hopeful. The training has now tapered off to just a few rides with no strenuous hills so hopefully I will be refreshed on Day 1.

The campaign to raise $65,000 is has paid off in spades. I am so absolutely grateful to the many, many participants who have donated money to 65for65Roses in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis cause. Friends, workmates, clients, neighbours, family, friends of family, long lost friends and many, many anonymous donors. As of today I am only $4,000 dollars off my goal with over $61,000 raised and a promise from some who are still to donate. I am confident that by Friday, with the helpful push of some last minute donors I will reach the goal set so astronomically high early in March.

At this time I would like to thank my family without whom this would not have been possible. To my wife Janet who watched me ride of into the sunset almost every evening only to then watch me head to bed shortly after returning. Jan helped to write the script and strategize on the campaign  and my daughter  Annie created the blog and the Facebook pages to bring it all to the world. My son, Hunter,  did his bit by working hard at UVic and bringing home good marks.The Markvoort family in Toronto and London pitched and raised funds as a 65th birthday gift to me and for that I am so very grateful. Janet's family, the Brines, also stepped up to the plate and helped the cause.

I also want to thank Sharron Bates who gave me such a visible media presence, both on the PSA announcements that many people are seeing with the news avery morning and evening. Her coverage of the Spin-A-Thon newscast helped a lot as did arranging the interview with Fiona Forbes on The Rush.

65for65Roses is now a team with three, 9 day riders, Joan Swain, John Sullivan and Kimberley Shaw. We also have a number of one day participants who will ride with us from Crescent Beach to Chilliwack. I am very excited about our team, our ride and our challenges ahead.

Thanks to all of you for participating.