Family / Calgary and the final stretch.
I have to tell Ed and Leslie how impressed I am with the daily support you provide your son Richard with. I can assure you, we have literally watched him grow over the past 14 days during this ride. He’s very lucky to have such a tight network of immediate and extended family and he is so proud to see your comments every day.
And that brings me into tonight’s blog about the contributions from all of the families of those involved with this venture. There are times where I can’t connect with my family because of the hours or responsibilities, however my wife Chantal leaves updates and quick emails daily. The odd call from my 5 & 7 year old sons who are super excited also feels great.
Like Willie, Richard, Kyle, Bryan I have spent the better half of 9 months preparing for this event.. Walking into the house after a 5 hours ride and having my sons ask me to go for a bike ride, made things challenging. However, we are lucky to have their unconditional love and support. Last night Jay, the mechanic hopped in a car with his family who met him at 3:00 am in the morning just so he could spend some quality time with them. I thought that was excellent.
The family impact goes beyond the riders into all of the volunteers. Each day, we receive messages on how proud families are of their loved ones for being a part of this (big or small). So on behalf of all of the riders & organizers – thank you to our great families as well as others who have enabled your loved ones to be here.
Next: One of my favorite cities on the planet – CALGARY!! Lets face it, they don’t do anything small, they have a vibrant energy and they know how to welcome people. I saw Keith’s blog and will second the fact we are coming. Get ready. We will take al you’ve got and we k now you’ve got lots. Now for all those on the GPS wondering what’s going on with the progress this evening, there is a slight chance we will be holding tight at the city limits. Yes, records are relevant, however not at the expense of awareness for this cause and gratitude for peoples efforts. We have learned this the hard way by missing a few engagements but are on track now and going to do our best to make it happen where people have gone to great efforts to welcome us. Segue….
Vancouver Homecoming. Many questions about when and we can tell you right now. We will be home Saturday at noon. We are leaving Hope at 7 am and will be traveling down the #7 all the way in. Maps and information will be forthcoming but we’re telling you this now for a reason. WE WANT YOU TO BRING IT HOME WITH US.
Yes, that’s right. It is a team event and we want to celebrate it with family and friends from our home town. If you have a bike, get it tuned right now (preferably at John Henry’s) and plan to be at a pre determined 10k, 20k, 40k, 60k, 80k or Hope checkpoint on Saturday and ride in with team H2V! Keep your eye’s on the site for more info but we’re telling you NOW so you can be prepared.
Night for now and Ed & Leslie, your son's a stud!
12 Comments:
Of course Richard's a stud, he's got Alm and Anglin genes! And he didn't know he was a killer cyclist until a couple of years ago. Dude's a horse with long levers. Go Richard. Wish I could party with all of you down at Engish Bay on Sat. Have a few brown pops for all of your supporters across this great land.
TMB in OTTAWA ; )
Richard, the Jolly Green Giant looms in the doorways and sends the cats freaking for cover. At the field dance here in North Sannich he swings the girls so hard and fast that the curls come out of their hair for a week. I never thought that those spidery bikes of yours could stand up to him; first time he stood on the crank he'd haul the back wheel up to the front forks. He must be taking it easy.
Big or little, all of you have got what it takes so drive 'er home best way you can - you're pulling a huge crowd along in your wake and that's what you set out to do.
A bientot!
Farrell
Thank you Matt for your kind words. As I said at 3:30 this morning, you are all in this together thru' the law of attraction. I love it! And Curtis, Jay, Jan and all the others in the team have dropped everything to be with you riders. Bless you all.
And Taylor, you are the inspiration in your family and what a family! We've enjoyed your lovely blogs; gives us an idea of what your day looks like....You're a super PR person already....even tho' you must miss your horse. Maybe some of us could come to see you ride. I'd love to. I'll bring Richard!
Ride safely heros,
Leslie
Hey Team H2V!
Congrats to you all on such amazing progress and teamwork! I am glad you have decided to 'schedule' some arrivals - I was worried I'd wake up Friday or Saturday morning and you'd be done!
I wish I could find some extra weighty words to convey the respect and admiration I have for what you are doing... I think I'll leave that to the kids and parents that stand to benefit so greatly from your hard work.
Team H2V, I am proud to call you guys my friends and it will be a privilege to hit the road with you on Saturday morning.
Ride safely!
Meyrick
P.S. If you don't have it already, you HAVE to download Ride Like the Wind by Christopher Cross for your iPods.... old school... good for the Rockies.
We do not remember days, we remember moments...
and while you all are surely filling your memory banks with a lifetime of memories, you are leaving your legacy on the landscape of this vast land and we are all screaming out your names with pride as we witness a plan executed and dreams realized. There is nothing greater than the sheer desire and drive that you all possess-it makes life exciting (especially for us watching :) ), and it makes life worth living-you leave no opportunity wasted - May many learn from you!
Bravo! Ride Safe, your parade awaits.
I too am happy to see a scheduled finale -sure would suck to miss it!
Steph the greek
ps, auntie Les, don't forget to sleep :)
Thanks for posting the pictures of Richard! It was great to see those and read the latest blog when I woke up this morning. Also fun to read the comments from my brother, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins...
I hope you have a beautiful sunrise behind you as you start the daylight part of your ride today. I imagine you riding west and getting happy and a little nervous when you see the foothills and rockies ahead.
You guys know how to climb mountains and you're almost in your home territory.
Keep riding strong!
We were fortunate enough to be at the start of this epic journey and Mikes Bike Shop are there in spirit for the stretch home.
We have been checking you guys daily..some of us hourly :-)
Bring it home boys! We have to keep this momentum going AND growing!
You're almost home! Wish I was out west and able to help you guys ride through the Rockies.
Very inspirational!
The Moncton peloton is asking what we're doing next year. The H2V must not end!
Mike LeBlanc
Thanks for your kind words Matt.
It IS about families, particularly those families who live with the disease for more than 9 days. It is about how it affects everyone in that family. And, it is about what you fellows are doing and how it is affecting Richard’s immediate and extended family. You have brought our whole family closer by showing us how lucky we are to have good health.
Thank you for teaching us empathy towards those families with the disease. That will translate into donations and that translates into a cure. You, Kyle, Keith, Willie, Richard, Bryan and your awesome support crew have made it happen….we all thank you.
This post has been removed by the author.
Ricardo Montalbani!!
Sally, Bingo, and the rest of the menagerie at Rascal Point are glued to the screen. Each milestone elicits a shriek and occasional expletive as you and your team extend your success. Keep the hammer down during the difficult miles coming today and tomorrow.
Bra-a-a-ack!
Richard, you are incredible! On the home stretch now!
I know the difference this journey will make in thousands of young lives. It really is awesome, what you are all doing. I admire your courage, determination and big heart.
Hope to see you at the finish Rich.
:-) ETS in Van.
Post a Comment
<< Home