Day 2- Chilliwack to Manning Park The first challenge

A peek outside the hotel window in downtown Chilliwack showed it was going to be a glorious day. No clouds against a beautiful background of snow capped mountains. We met for breakfast, had our safety briefing and bustled about for an 8 am start. We are now down to about 40, The Weekend Warriors plus the 21 9 day riders. We all led out at a comfortable pace leaving town on Chilliwack Central. The plan was to ride together in procession to the Agassiz bridge before breaking up to more individual paces. This plan was challenged from the get go as a train stop cut off the last 4 people. It managed to get sorted out and off we went through a very picturesque Chilliwack dairy countryside.If you didn't look up at the mountains you might think you were in Holland what with all the Dutch dairy farms and Christian Reformed churches.

along the lowlands of the Fraser River (Camp River)

farmlands east of Chilliwack

There was a scare crossing the bridge and I was right in the middle of it. We occupied the whole of one lane on this 2 lane bridge and half way across a semi came thundering in the other direction. Some people edged to the right and this caused a touch which then caused the rider two ahead of me to apply full front brake causing his back end to lift up. The riders ahead of me had to also apply brake and I aimed for the hole between them also putting on some brake. John Sullivan was beside me and the truck was right beside him. We touched shoulders and I leaned right determined not to get spun out into the truck or knock John over.The end result was that the rider behind me, Val, touched my wheel and toppled over. No real damage but the scary potential for a nightmare scenario. My knees were knocking for the next half an hour.

Reaching the summit of Allison Pass -a real slog

Post bridge we rode to Hope at a very strong pace of 35 plus with the mountains to the North and the Fraser to the right. It doesn't get much better than this. Lunch was in Hope and then it was onto the first big climb of 16 km and an 850 metres climb to the top of the Hope Slide. The grade is generally 6-7% with portions of 8 and 9. The fortunate part is that the wind was in our favour which helps a lot even going uphill. From Sunshine Village we had a 20 km. slight downhill grade alongside the Sumallo River and that along with the strengthening tailwind allowed for sped of 40 to 50 km/hr. Oh life is good when the gods are smiling on you.

Cooling off in the Similkameen! 

At Rhododendron Flats (actually an uphill 3% grade but of no note if you are in a vehicle) we had our last break before the BigBurn hill to Allison Pass at 1340 metres. This is a 22 km. climb which starts gradually and ends up in an 8-9% grind for the last 6-8 km. It was tough. After a quick obligatory photo at the top Walter Brennan and I coasted the final 10 km. to the lodge which we then bypassed for a short ride up the Gibson Pass ski road to the Similkameen River and a half hour soak in its icy waters (in 1 minute segments as it was ice cold water). This ice treatment worked well as I have no stiffness in my legs this morning. Oh, yes I should mention we had a few pitchers of beer on the deck afterward. All is good. We are now down to our core group of 21 nine day riders.

Day 1- Crescent Beach to Chilliwack

A glorious sunny summer day to start our long awaited ride. Up early to get the bikes on board and some last minute packing. Joan Swain arrive at 7 and we were off to Crescent Beach by 7:30. We were met by the usual hullabaloo of cars, bikes being unloaded, scurrying volunteers and a generally excited and happy group of people. There are over 100 riders on this first day and close to 50 for Day 2. After speeches and photos we lined up for the opening horn and were off on schedule at 9 am. Janet had made paper roses for the 65for65Roses team which people tied to their bikes and helmets so we were quite visible. The crescent Beach climb led to the rollers of White Rock and then into the open countryside past Highway 99. For some reason the ride took us up 208th to 0 Ave. which presented a nasty and rough climb. Once on 0 Ave we just headed East and soon enough we were on pancake straight flats. It's always interesting to ride on 0th ave and watch a parallel American road about 20 feet away separated by only a shallow grass ditch. Oh yes, and the odd obligatory border police armed to the teeth. I was riding with John Sullivan and Jay Gow initially with some of the fast boys but then dropped back at the first checkpoint to ride with Norm Shearing and Joan Swain. We formed a nice pace line with some others, and with Norm pulling for most of it we soon arrived at the lunch spot. After lunch another well developed pace line took us through the Chilliwack countryside to our final stop at Yarrow. Jan had driven through to Chilliwack and then cycled back on Vedder Road so when we met up I dropped back and accompanied by Nicky, Kim, Heather and Jan we rode somewhat sedately into Chilliwack arriving in the mid afternoon. An easy first day.

It was a patio day so we enjoyed sitting outside beside the lily pond at the Coast Rhombus Hotel for 'after ride beers'  as well as for dinner later. The only other small matter of note is that I changed out to my new tires so I will see how they feel today. My previous tires had been labeled as "training tires" by Theo my mechanic buddy, and that just won't do.  It's now just past 6 am, a glorious morning with not a cloud in the sky and we will see what the day brings.

Ready to Go

Just a bit of last minute packing and we will be ready to go. The bike is tuned up, and now outfitted with a pair of brand new tires, and I think I am fit enough to take on this challenge. The weather actually looks quite good with promises of sunny weather. And the best news of all. My goal of reaching $65,000 is now quite surpassed. Today, two very large donations came in from my business partners and I have now reached over $75,000. Incredible really, there is no other way  of describing it.

So now it's just a matter of riding the bike, staying safe and enjoying the trip.Tune in from time to time and I will try to keep up with my ride on this blog. Thanks again for all your support!

Goal Achieved!

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.

King of the Mountain in the Geezer Category

King of the Mountain (over 65set) for those using Strava and climbing up to the top of the SFU Hill.

My training has paid off and I think I am ready to hit the big mountains on Highway 3.

A Slow Climb Up Mount Seymour

This is the toughest hill on the North Shore. It hurt.