Let this be YOUR beginning.

If you are still reading this blog, then you are keenly interested in what’s going on and “what’s next”. Well, use the inspiration you have gathered from this feat and take a personal step / role & or responsibility in making sure this legacy continues. YOU are what’s next. YOU dictate the pace and many YOU’s make light work because they turn into WE. Thank you in terms of action would mean a lot to us and we know there are capable people out there.

Act now while the light is on! Rally people to take action with you. After all, that’s exactly how this event metastasized into the epic proportions it has / did.

We have the relay idea and now we need regional and local leaders to continue to communicate and collaborate (again while the buzz is here) and pull something together. No shots at the JDRF, but like any charity and organization there is way to much red tape to get something moving with the degree of efficiency & effectiveness. Do not make the mistake of believing the JDRF will take this and run with it. The infrastructure must be created / set and put in place by a group of willing participants after which the JDRF lends the support they can. Hopefully next year, it will exceed the 07 support 20 fold.



In 08, we need cross the country, hitting all the major chapters. You already have a stationary cycling event in the curriculum and this should be amalgamated into the cross Canada cycle as well (it’s all the same kilometers) and would be a very easy add on. People can cycle inside, or people can cycle outside – but the scope of inclusion would be significant and the existing infrastructure may help expedite the organization.

Regardless, you need to tale responsibility and be the champion for this. No idea is a bad idea, we have the general scope of what we want to & can do and now its time to add a little infrastructure and “GO”!

To everyone, who cheered, blogged, supported, thought, prayed and helped the 2007 H2V event unfold, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

English Bay! September 22, 2007...WOW!!!!

Goodmorning all,


What can you say about September 22nd 2007? You could say it was the greatest single day that JDRF has experienced in awareness and fundraising. You could say that it gave people with Type 1 diabetes a voice and hope and the idea that they no longer have to hide their disease. You could say it was probably the coolest day in the lives of 21 people who put their lives on hold to support a friend and a PROMISE he made. Or you could just say WOW!

I am sure over the next few days Team H2V will blog about their own personal experiences about our Journey, and hopefully we get lots of comments about YOUR experiences on yesterday and the past nine months. I have to let you all know that your comments mean the world to us, they kept us going through the journey and will keep the Legacy alive.

Humbly yours,

Keith Nicoll

Bring It Home With Team H2V

Well we are all beginning to see our finish line and, while the terrain is still going up, our emotional state is also soaring. However, our journey ends...

Children with Type 1 Diabetes can't say the same.

The goals are being reached:

1. Awareness of this Disease...IT IS OUR TURN to have the media pay attention.
2. Cross Canada in a record breaking time via bicycle to make sure there was a platform to launch our awareness program
3. Raise money for a cure for Juvenile Diabetes

4. Find a Cure

While we will slowly go back to our lives, work hard to create a legacy-ride in honour of the crossing and benefitting JDRF, and thank God we are healthy, many people will wake up tomorrow like they do every day needing to monitor their insulin levels so they can wintess another day.

Join us in English Bay tomorrow to celebrate a succesful campaign but remember we need to make sure the donations from every corner of the globe make it in so we can find that cure.

The road is long, mostly uphill, but we will get to the finish line together. We will find a cure together.

Honoring those who have supported us.

Good morning BC! Can't tell you how great it is to be so close to home, familiar terrain, families and friends. Yesterday was an excruciating grind through the Rockies and the pass, followed by a quick break in Salmon Arm. This morning, Nel treated us to an awesome sendoff and we are making our way to Kamloops as we speak.

Each rider will be taking a 1 hour shift this morning into Kamloops followed by 1/2 hr shifts up the mighty Coqu. Again, today's climb (at the end of 9 days riding) will test the remainder of our resilliance.

There's only one critical piece of information today and that's the meeting times & locations for tomorrow's ride in (which if you live in Vancouver), there's really NO REASON not to attend. This information is below. If you have any questions or concerns, Kris is your man to call 604 614 9857

Print this off, Pass it on, Makes sure you are there to celebrate this momentus homecoming with us, because without many of you waiting, supporting and encouraging - this journey would be much more difficult.

Location / Meeting Spot / Meeting Time – Approx 15-30mins before pelaton arrival /
IF Coach / Approximate Distance

1. Hope / Dairy Queen - 817 Water Ave / 6:45am / Kris / 140km
2. Agassiz / Harrison Crossroads Inn – 5936 Lougheed Hwy / 7:15am / TBD / 100km
3. Mission / Safeway – 32520 Lougheed Hwy / 8:45am / Rob / 75km
4. Pit Meadows / McDonalds – 12549 Harris Road / 9:15am / Guy / 50km
5. Port Coquitlam / Costco Parking Lot – 2370 Ottawa St / 9:45am / Dustin / 35km
6. Burnaby / Brentwood Mall Parking Lot (south/east corner) / 10:15am / Paul / 20km
7. Vancouver / Science World Expo – 1455 Quebec St / 10:45am / TBD / 10km

Team H2V Conquers Rogers Pass

Today Team H2V hit two huge goals. First, we made it back to B.C., as much as we loved every province that we have ridden through, and enjoyed meeting all the people that came out to cheer us on and DONATE, it is nice to back in our home province. Second, we conquered Rogers Pass, the epic climb that has destroyed many a RV!

Rogers Pass started with Willie pulling a huge 3 hour shift through Kicking Horse Canyon, huge climbs, speedy descending and Rain like you wouldn't believe. Then Keith pulled an hour and half shift just as the sun was coming out, the views were Epic, as were riding through the 5 tunnels, very scary, narrow shoulders, big Rigs and darkness. But it was all worth it when i saw the Rogers Pass visitor station, absolutely beutifull. I then passed the torch to Matt who with Richard are going to split there shifts into shorter pulls so they can get more power and speed for the climbing.

7 days in and we are working like a well oiled machine. I could never think of anyone else i would want to spend this time with, whether it is the riders, or the support crew, what started off as a TEAM is turning into a Family. We have dinners together, share stories, cry together and will complete this EPIC journey together.

Matt and Richard, finish off Rogers Pass like i know you can!!

Got to go, we are up in an hour to take the team into Revelstoke, then tomorrow morning a rendevous with Nel Peach, a diabetic who is part of a group called the pumpers, should be entertaining. Then off to Kamloops for some media hype, and a JDRF meeting.

Vancouver we are coming, get ready for the party of the year!!!

Team H2V, RV1, Keith

Mountains, beer and legacy.

As predicted, Calgary did not disappoint! The escort, the crowds and the traditional White Hatting event that basically indicates we are cool. I speak on behalf of the whole team when I share it was a top 10 moment in our athletic careers.

As well, we got to ride as a team again. All of us, same time chatting like the training days. Although we have spoken throughout the trip, Kyle, Will & Keith are in one RV while Richard and myself are in the other. While we have had our competitive moments and idle banter about who’s worked harder and has it better, no one has even gotten beyond themselves or lost the scope and focus of what & why we are doing what we are doing. That’s what makes this team a great group to hang with and be around and that’s exactly what’s going to be needed as we complete the journey through the mountains.

And let’s get to that because immediately after the high energy celebration in Calgary I found myself getting my @#$ handed to me in headwinds heading into the mountains. The wind is strong today and it’s not at our back however we will likely play with the shifts to ensure we are all fully charged.



Now for the request…. and I have 2 more (besides passing on our message, coming out with your bikes and donating monies)

Beer:
A very special group of people we have on board this trip is the mechanics. There are 3 of them and they have been pulling off 12 hour shifts at a time. While the transport vans have the luxury of taking breaks, Tom, Jay and Robert do not. As they are mechanics, there is a special affinity towards beer. So, for those coming to the finish line in English Bay, the team request is that you bring ‘a’, ‘some’ or lot’s of beer to labeled mechanics to show our appreciation for their excellent work. Beer, how easy is that?

Action:
As Mike and many others have eluded to, H2V cannot be a 1 off. If you are reading these blogs and are a member of the JDRF board or know someone who is, please know people are going to have your name and email address and are going to be contacting you to make sure this event is annual. Relay style – coast to coast – combining as many people as we possibly can for years to come. It is going to be a ride across Canada and the groundswell has to come from YOU. We have provided the spark and initial flame, but its up to all of us to feed the fire with wood. We are leaving that to you guys. We’ll help with ideas, we’ll take care of BC in 08, however you have to mobilize your provinces! That’s the deal.

So… Mountains, beer and action – sounds like a Kokanee endorsement but it’s not, it’s our LEGACY.

The Estrogen Factor

"FROM THE BABES OF RV1"

Day after day people blog in to see how 5 riders are making out on an adventure of a lifetime for an amazing cause. Today, we thought we would offer some incite into a different facet of the overall experience - that of two of the female volunteers along for the ride. We are Leslie Bowling, Driver and Massage Therapist (i.e. the resident sadomasochist), and Carmen Samuda-Lehman Driver and Den Mother (i.e. the resident chief cook and bottle washer)- and we have rocked the show since day 1! From the moment we stepped foot in this RV, the "boys" have had their rules laid out for them (i.e. gear goes in your designated boxes, dishes in the sink, and stinky laundry hung up on the clothesline - neatly strung from one end of the RV to the other, we might add).

We have to confess to a certain degree of failure however. Try as we might we have been unsuccessful in keeping the testosterone down to a manageable level. Toilet humour is often the order of the day and the language flies sometimes - all to be expected on a road trip and is one of the trials and tribulations of living in a frat house environment. Since we are in the minority by far, it has been us who have had to fall into step. We have accepted with pleasure the adage of "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em". The result has been a continuous stream of laughter and memories that will not soon be forgotten. In the words of Anne Lappe “the more you find out about the world the more opportunities you have to laugh at it”.

Team H2V – RV1 (Fred, Willie, Bryan, Leslie, Carmen, Keith, Kyle) - the morning of departure, Halifax!



We are feeling quite blessed this morning to have had the chance to duck in for a quick shower at the YMCA in Medicine Hat, Alberta – only our second shower since leaving Halifax – and our first trip to the laundromat to boil the boys' gear. Thank God for baby wipes and Febreze! Suffice it to say that our RV was well on its way to smelling like a well used hockey bag that had been left in the trunk of a car for the entire season. The guys only started to notice the change in air quality this morning - go figure!

We rolled into Calgary this morning with a police escort to an absolutely phenomenal welcome from the residents and supporters of the JDRF. After a quick and emotional visit with the children and their families, the guys received their official White Stetsons Hats (making them honorary citizens of Calgary), and we were on the road again. We just stopped in Canmore and are about to ascend the Rocky Mountains – a formidable challenge!

Understandably, we are excited to get to home to Vancouver; however, part of us doesn’t want this adventure to end. This experience has been one that has changed our lives and will stay with us forever. The team consists of an amazing group of people. The collective strength of all involved in this incredible endeavour is something to be admired. It is a wonderful example of altruism at its best. We are ever so grateful to have been given the opportunity to contribute. From inception to this point in time the forward momentum has been phenomenal and with no signs of it slowing down, we look forward with the excitement of little kids to our arrival at English Bay on Saturday. Look for us at the finish line. We will be the ones wearing our Team H2V jackets with pride, tears on our faces, and bags under our eyes.

Carmen, Stan Peake (former IF West Van Coach and current Manager of IF Calgary), and Leslie - at the Calgary reception!

Where we are!!

Hello Folks in Blogville,

The GPS shows that Team H2V is east of Calgary. Part of our team (the Mechanics) are visiting a bike shop to deal with some mechanicals. RV1, Keith-Willie-Kyle-Bryan are resting in Canmore (at Mcdonalds, sorry Katie and Deanna) and RV2 with Matt and Richard are riding their butts off and are 30k outside (east of Canmore) and will be here shortly.

And thanks again to all those who are putting comments on our blog, we are reading them and can not share with you how much the support means to us, especially as we are heading into the Rockies.

See you all soon,

RV1

k

Video is Worth a Million Words

MOV00510.MPG

A HUGE thank you to the Oliver family who donated $5000.00 this morning at our White Hat ceremony in Calgary!!

Why We Ride

Just finished shift #10 – the toughest one yet. . It’s a pitch black night and cold in eastern Saskatchewan. Temperature is 0 - +1. I am frozen to the bone

Another night for a lot of thought as I was out alone. Inevitably I look down and see the white line racing by and drift off in thought.

I think back to what really got me reinvigorated and motivated to make a difference for the kids and families dealing with type one – it was an afternoon with Colleen Mitchell, a fellow parent of a type 1 daughter. Colleen showed the reality and strain that this disease imposes on families dealing with diabetes. That afternoon our group shared our personal concerns about the disease and it was then that I realized I wasn’t the only parent dealing with the fears that my daughter might go low in the nigh and not wake up or end up in the hospital with extremely high blood sugars and the nasty consequences of the disease. I also realized that the parents of type 1 diabetes live in constant stress and fear of their children illness

We are not just riding for the 200,000 + kids that have diabetes and the 6,000 - 8,000 kids that are introduced to this disease each year, we are riding for the parents of these kids. We are riding for the families that have to deal with the disease every minute of every day. The parents that have to send their kids off to school for the 1st day not knowing how they are going to cope – or the parents who send their kids off to university after managing their diabetes from the day they were diagnosed. We are riding to eliminate this nagging stress.

We are looking forward to reaching Alberta – the door step to BC, and the biggest challenge yet – the Rookies. For me this is going to be the real test, its going to be cold, dark and steep.

We will hunker down and get the job done.

There’s a few people I look forward to seeing as we enter BC – the 1st of which will be Nel Peach. Nel has been a big supporter of H2V since day one and has done an incredible job spreading the word in the Salmon Arm district.

Thanks for following - good night

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!

Take This Challenge

Calgary here we come...5pm in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and we just finished a very cool ride from Swift Current...We were met by a few local fireman who gave us a full Fire Truck escort (very cool) through town. Ryan Hunter, a local fireman and newbie cyclist, road with me for about 40km, while his buddy turned on the sirens and ripped us through town. This was great support and much needed socialization as we have been alone on the road for a long time. Ryan was just like everyone else we have met this trip, he was totally excited to meet us, ride with us and support us. Ryan and the Swift Current Fire Department presented us with a cheque for $250.00, this was just awesome, and was iciing on the cake from a great person and town. This to me was a great gesture of support, and Team H2V wants to challenge other Fire Departments across the country to donate also, whether a dollar or one thousand dollars, all money is welcome.



This was not our first challenge of the trip either. On our first day, Earl from the Halifax Canaccord office challenged all 140 Canaccord offices to meet and beat their $1000.00 donation. Think about how much that raises, wouldn't that be awesome!!

Tomorrrow morning we arrive in Calgary, hopefully we will be there at our projected time which is 7:45am. We will be riding through Calgary as a team, which will be totally awesome as I miss riding with the boys. We will be meeting with some local dignataries who will be presenting Team H2V with White Cowboy Hats. For Calgary this is equivalent to becoming honary citizens and getting a Key to the city.

So many cities across Canada have come out to support us, whether big like Halifax or small like Massey, people have come out and given what they can to our great and urgent cause.

I want to right now challenge all Western Canadian cities to come out and support Team H2V. We want your support for what is going to be the toughest part of our journey, the last few days as we get close to home. We want your support in the following ways; (a) come out and ride with us, become someone who helps make history, like so many have done so far (b) come out to the side of the roads and cheer us on, yell, scream and make some noise for us (c) the most IMPORTANT, DONATE NOW!!! It has been asked before but i will ask again, PLEASE DONATE NOW!!!! JDRF needs your money, donate to our EPIC JOURNEY and become part of history. Team H2V is doing something special by riding across the country and raising awareness for Juvenile Diabetes, but we are nothing without your DONATIONS, and we will never find a cure for a disease that is a horrible part of so many families daily routines.

On a personal note, I just have to say that this trip is becoming very emotional for me. This morning I read about twenty emails that were sent to us from our info email account. I started reading them to Rider Support 1 (my RV group) and the tears started. We were called heros, saints, people want to meet us, they want to be near us, they were thanking us for doing somehthing that no one else has done. This was very tough for me and my team mates to swallow, we have always thought of this as a great way to help a friend, raise money and awareness for a terrible diesease, and embark on an EPIC adventure, But never to be called a hero.

I can't wait to see you all Saturday at the Beach House in English Bay, for what sounds to me like the Pary of the year....

Don't forget also, please donate, this journey will be for non without donations to help cure this Disease!!!

Keith Nicoll, RV 1.........

WE HAVE INTERNET! BLOGS ARE UP: Read Below

It's All A Bit Surreal

In the middle of my afternoon session I had one of those moments – what the heck am I doing here and how did I end up riding through some beautiful stretches highway in Portage La Prairie and Brandon Manitoba with I group of guys I have never met before and will probably never meet again.

The thought was actually triggered by one of the riders in my peloton.



Answer: I am an extremely fortunate person - I shared my secret with some like minded and generous people who with out hesitation want to help me deliver on my promise to Taylor. From day one these individuals have worked relentlessly in executing this mammoth project. I could never imagine that a promise that had such meaning me and my family would be so deeply understood by so many.

Today was heart warming to see so many families out along the way showing their support.

And the peloton support – Team H2V is extremely thankful to all the riders that have been out pulling for us. This afternoon my ride through Portage La Prairie and Brandon Manitoba was made a whole lot easier, thanks to the support of Bob, Dale and Greg. These guys took time out of their days to help make a difference for the lives of other.
Thanks guys.



Well we are officially at the half way mark – the body is certainly feeling the aches and pains. Neck, back and of course my butt. I have pain in places I didn’t know I have. Lots of Advil and stretching is keeping it all together but the final 45 min of each shift feels like 2 hours.

We will preserver – we will succeed and we will get home.



Help us finish the job and donate now at www.teamh2v.com. You are our biggest supporters and the children our biggest inspirations in high times and low.

K

Ontario Has Been Dusted

The mayor of Massey, Ontario and the team accepting some great hand claps and smiles.



Another Type 1 Supporter in Massey where we had a great reception.



Another way to make sure the van doesn't stink.....

Nights and days we have been riding through the north of Ontario and now the fourth province in our epic journey is in the rear view mirror.

The land of ten thousand lakes was just endless highways with very few pull-outs but some incredible scenery. Rider Van 1 made a grave error that cost Rider Van 2 an extra shift after a miscalculated sleep that left the transitions from van to van impossible and made it necessary for Matt to do an extra shift. In order to try and make it up to their darling little souls we are moving a shift up which will let Matt rest as 6 hrs in a 9 hr period is very challenging. So we will be having a 9 hr rest between shifts tonight to allow the group to get back on the correct rotations. Drama averted but tired legs no doubt.





Yesterday Bryan got out of the van to ride with me for a solid 3 hr shift, as he wanted to come into Thunder Bay with whoever was on shift. I was the lucky guy. Our goal was to get to the Terry Fox Memorial and for me this was the one thing that I wanted to see more than anything as he epitomizes the beauty and possibility that can be created with the right spirit and by the most normal of humans. He was one of our team’s greatest inspirations and this was a great day. Two riders came out to meet us from Cyclepath and both were exceptionally strong. One was just an animal with thighs the size of a horse. I let him pull me the last half hour as I was shattered from the previous night’s shift and going through a 5 km construction zone that included some off-roading through gravel that Bryan and I had to contend with. The bikes were rolling and bumping everywhere but we managed.



The jostling pretty much finished me off and while I’m glad to have pelotons sometimes when you meet them at the end of a shift you feel a little under artilleried. My legs were like lead yet our distance and pace was really solid. However, I was the odd man out on a Thunder Bay sign sprint that came at 2 hrs and 50 minutes into the ride!!!! Big shout out to the Cyclepath boys from Thunder Bay, hope the racing season finishes strong and we see you in Vancouver for Super Week next year.





We are busting out a great pace but now we realize why people have consistently asked us why East to West and not with the wind. The wind in the prairies is ridiculous and it isn’t abnormal stuff just regular wind that has slowed us from around 40 km/hr to around 20 – 25km. We are still anticipating coming in early but it will be by the skin of our chinny chin chins.

Winnipeg had a huge media reception for us with seven media outlets taking footage and interviewing Kyle and getting the low down on our journey.

The team has vowed to keep their playoff beards until home and while some of us our beginning to look like Abe Lincoln we are still going to be challenged by this guy we found early in Nova Scotia. There is always someone to look up to.



Rider Van 2 is struggling with sleep as we just can’t maximize the break time we are getting but overall the spirit is exceptionally high. Great people all supporting a great cause.

Now…we need to have two things happen:
1. Set the Guinness Record and more importantly
2. Raise the level of donations to get over and beyond the million dollars

We still have a ways to go but overall we are getting close on both accounts. We need your help and we thank you so far for the support.

Donate now and help us break a record.

Humility & Heroism.

[just got off the 2-5 am shift, richard is on , it's -3 degrees outside and our faces are frozen & yes Ed that is duct tape and it hurts when you rip it off!]

To take you back, while passing through Thunder Bay we appropriately found ourselves at the Terry Fox memorial. We had to stop by and pay our respects. Similar to the 911 site in New York, the memorial isn’t something that can be fully appreciated until you are in its presents.

There it was, quietly tucked in the middle of nowhere, standing tall and proud. We were all very quiet as we circled the memorial, read the literature and marvelled at the scope of one man’s accomplishments. No specialized shoes, no blogs, internet, media support simply a dream, the determination and a long lasting legacy. Its our hope / wish and dream to bring a fraction of that legacy to Juvenile Diabetes that Terry brought to cancer.

As we resumed our travel we thought of ways to make this event an annual tradition that could involve more great people. Perhaps linking cyclists from each province together every September to relay an insulin pump across Canada. picking up letters and supporters along the way. Perhaps a challenge to the JDRF to create an annual Race Across Canada where they link hotels and set up the infrastructure to grow this event. (whole ride or relay - teams of 5 to 20 – your choice.)
It doesn’t matter how it happens, but it does matter that it happens, so people please contact your chapters and press them to press upwards! Trust us, people are interested!



In the meantime, we find ourselves in the midst of every day Hero’s, two of which are Jack and Georgia.

Jack is from Vancouver BC and before I left, he and his father came to our house to give me his lucky $2 bill. He said it would bring me luck. It’s posted on the wall of our communal sleeping quarters and it reminds me every day that even though I am not directly affected by this disease, I have the opportunity to help others who are. Jack, I want you to meet us when we get home Saturday and come up on stage with the team and every other child that is affected with this disease that can make it to Vancouver. I'm going to give you your $2 back.

Georgia is a young girl from Toronto who upon hearing of our journey decided to host a lemonade stand and donate all the proceeds to our ride. Her drawing sits in our quarters as well as her check for $43.75. She's 5 years old!



Children donating their own time and money. Think about that. Think about every capable Canadian, parent, friend, child, brother, sister, worker donating $1. Think about the scope and reach of that donation. Think about being able to eradicate one disease after another after another in your lifetime.

Does that sound far fetched?

As far fetched as one man running across the country with cancer and one leg?

It can be done. Lets just do it.

The Long Road out of Ontario.

[that's our dashboard view - pre monsoon]

We had the pleasure of riding out of Dryden and into Kenora smack dab in the middle of a lightening storm and accompanying downpour. If you have ever wanted to know what it feels like to be riding exposed on a highway with transports flying by you at 120 km / hr ++ spraying you as you fly by, I can assure you its very exciting.

There were points through the night we had to duck in between the support vehicles for shelter and safety (we’re working hard to bring you the actual footage of a transport in the rain fly by).

Some challenging decisions tested our group for the first time in terms of logistics / pace & exposure as we have certainly missed some media opportunities because of the speed of this journey. On one hand it’s about raising as much exposure and awareness as possible while on the other, it’s a grueling pace to generate more exposure, which can help generate more exposure when we return home. The media team (Dave, Suzzane and Kim) have done a great job of adjusting & organizing the schedules to make sure we stay as dialed in as possible.

As Kyle eluded to in his blog, the days are starting to wear on not only the mental stamina of the entire team, but the physical as well. Stretching, sleeping and eating are KEY parts of the ride that cannot be compromised for even 1 shift, or they will sneak up on you and knock you out. Have to hand it to Kyle, who has to not only ride, but then be whisked away to media events and pull out to meet thankful families – full plate.

Right now we are stopped in Winnipeg meeting families and preparing for the push across to Saskatchewan. We’ve had a great breakfast and are ready to get some much needed rest prior to pushing off.

A MASSIVE thanks to everyone who’s been writing words of inspiration, thanks & well wishes and to all of those following along – it’s great to hear your words of support and comments on the blogs. We read them to each other every time we log in & log on and it’s so great to know you are eagerly following us. For those who are at home, we will be there soon and miss you all. Some say the toughest part is yet to come, however I think the toughest part was making it to the Sept 14th starting line. Now we are simply executing on what we prepared 9 months for.

Cheers



[pre ride warm up inside the van]

On the Eve

Ready for another early morning shift – I am up for the 2:30 5:30 and pass off to Willie who will be bringing us into Winnipeg. 2:30 5:30 not the most desirable shift. Its like riding in a dream.

The aggressive pace is starting to take its toll – the body is sore and not rebounding as quickly as when we started. The first 2 hours of each shift hurt.

The support on the road has been incredible – I have to thank the two gentlemen that met up with me in Sault Ste Marie at 11 pm and gave me a greatly needed lift – The police were not happy with our RV’s on the road so I was on my own. I had ridden solo for 2 hours and was starting to get seriously tired. Andre’s friend in the front and Andre behind picked me up to a blistering pace – they dropped me at the top of “1 mile hill” which was quite the ride.

Greatly appreciate the turn out from all the families – I know the changing schedule is tough to follow but we will be settling the pace as all the riders are now in the groove.
To see the families out during the day or the middle of the night is big boost for the riders and team.

Thanks for all the support

K

Hitting the wall

Just shitting you. We’re still riding very strong as we near the half way point of Canada. Not certain it’s the half way point of our journey (as we started in Halifax), but it sounds good to all of us none the less.

Last night we managed to grab 5 peaceful hours of sleep which really helped things today. We found ourselves racing towards the team in the early hours at 120 to make sure we didn’t miss kick off and I think we were about 4 minutes late…. still have 56 min mulligan. The guys in rider van #1 have a tougher time because they get less of a break where they can actually be completely still. They are rocking it but Kyle looks like he could use a weekend at the Westin. He’s got media, riding and a daughter to manage as well as listening to tickle.

For all who are emailing us letting us know about the web camera, we have been fortunate enough to have tons of support from great people across the country hence are not spending too time behind the mechanic van. We have taken shelter between two vans when we are on major roadways, otherwise when we are with the peletons we are well in front or behind.



The winds have been in our favor today. This morning was a sweet ride through Northern Ontario’s lakes with a tail wind of all things! We’ll take it. Great part of all the riding is the free time to think about everything (not too hard mind you), mostly how lucky we all are. We are out here with great friends, making a difference on the journey of a lifetime.

Richard’s just finishing up here and we are about to jump into a cold lake and flush the lactic out of these legs.

100 km/hr! Sunshine and Webcam is Down

Just to shed some light on the whole webcam situation; we have done everything we can but it just doens't want to show us smiling...or grimacing depending on the slope. Sorry but you'll just have to jump on the bloig and check out some of the photos we are uploading.

Quebec is done and wow did we ever meet some inspiring people. We had a teams of rdiers willing to brave really poor weather and then riders, like Dan and his Team Accu Check crew, come over two hours driving just to help us throughy our epic journey. Sanofi-Aventis, like Accu Check, sne tout some killer riders that helped us navigate through some weird streets north of Montreal and all in all we roilled past the rain and into some glorious terrain, freshly paved roads and sunshine into Ontario. It has been awesome and all the teams in Quebec deserve a big thank you.



In Ontario we have met up with some great people and all managed to get oour first showere as well!!
We have been making great time and Willie even managed to get upto 100km/hr following the van down a huge hill at dusk. Sometimes the protection of the van can be a bit fun but most oif the time they just sit behind and make sure nobody will kill us.

Van life is even fun with so many people just needing to get along. We eat, sleep, drive, ride, stretch and just banter about absolutely anything and evrything. Tolerance is key but a good sense of humour has been imperative.



Well that's all for now.
Team H2V out again...

Thank God for peletons!

Were it not for the 4-40 people who have intermittantly donated their time and energy into drafting for us, this would be one tough haul. I got the jist of reality today as i eroniously stuck my head out from the back of the pack and got pushed off the back by the westerlie. winds.

Last night was epic. We hooked up with a few fast men, zero breeze and long descending roads into Ottawa and arrived at the nations capital just before 3 am. It was a little dissapointing in that my parents came 5 hours to see me and missed me. It's tough to enjoy the convoy as we pass by so fast.

Everyone is doing a fantastic job of keeping energy and spirit high. Rider team 1, Willie, Keith and Kyle seem to be taking care o all the hills for us and Richard and myself are rocking the downhills. Lets hope that continues. as i write, we are heading towards Sault St Marie 100kms and our sleep shift (after a small shake at the local DQ)!

It's officially day 3 and we are in the range of 15 hours ahead of schedule! Awesome. This afternoon, I actually looked around the countryside of Northern Ontario. Great lakes, sunsets, cottages neatly tucked on island after island. When Richard is through his ride, we are stopping of by a lake, jumping in and bathing.... yes, bathing. things are getting stinky in here.

I will say drivers in this region are not anything like those from BC. Assholes and I am surprised we have not seen a head on collision as of yet with the stupidity.

Anyways, for 1 idiot, there have been HUNDREDS of great supporters through the streets.

Thanks Harry, Dalts, Martin & Marco

1st of all, we asked a friend of ours if he could help us stay connected while on the road. We were expecting advice, perhaps a referral, maybe even a discount of some sort, but in less than 24 hours from the time of the request we recieved a full Bell aircard shipped right to the hotel - free of charge. It's these little things that people like Harry & Keith Dalton have done that have proved to be the difference makers during the trip. And there's many more who will be thanked over the next few days.

Ok. This morning, or maybe it was this afternoon - it's realy hard to keep track now - in the pissing rain, 2 riders from Edmonston braved the weather to keep us company and help pull us through the outskirts of Quebec. Marco & Martin - 2 great riders, one a phys ed teacher didn't waiver while getting absolutely soaked during their pull. If i fell off the back (as i often do heading up steep hills), they would fall back and bring me back on pace. Just awesome.

Our first bot of adversity today with one of our van's taking a slight detour, forcing us to pull double duty by an hour - no question, no drama, no problem - it's all about the foward momentum and now we have a mulligan. We could only deduce Keith was talking about wine and or / how ironman Canada gets free shirt sponsors with Willie to make this distraction happen, but it's all good and the entire van has 2 shots each when we reach Vancouver. Small price to pay (and more importantly we now have a mulligan!!)

Jan is cooking up a storm in here and like any good mother generates WAY to much food, futzes aound WAY to much in the van and has packed WAY too many clothes. However, finally (on day 3) of about 6 days straight she fell asleep. All was quiet as we rifled goodies out the side door of the van. Most would think weight loss would be in order for a trip like this, unsure if that's the case in this van.

Again, our group here is exceptional! Every member has a role and they execute their roles very well. It's quiet, efficent and fun all at the same time. We are fortunate.

Another 5 hours and we are back on the road - killing the kilometers one by one.

Cheers (and apologies for blatent spelling mistakes)

Like Riding Between Two Black Curtains

New Brunswick is done and man was it the craziest cycling experience.

Rider Van 1, consisting of riders Kyle, Keith and Willie did the night thing right through New Brunswick. Putting up with a three hour ride at race pace is one thing but not being able to see anything was a totally different ball game. We road from 11:30pm to 8:30am and man was it dark. As we road into Quebec we were riding into clouds so even a little light from the moon was non-existent.

It was like riding with a Clydesdale's mask on and the only thing you could see was your own light on the van in front, your shadow from the lights of the van behind and the ever present flashing lights of the van every half second blinding you. At points we became a little motion sick as we were unable to tell if we were going up or down the terrain. What was even more irritatiing was that the secondary routes we took went all the way to gravel roads. At one point Kyle should have been on his mountain bike as the pot holes were relntless and the gravel road went on for at least 10km. Thank god for our new Specialized Armadillo Elite tires! New Brunswick needs some money so they can get some road work done.

These were some lonely rides but despite our weird conditions the boys really hammered New Brunswick and even averaged aroiund 100km each. Really very good.

Anyways, we are really looking forward to the daytime rides as at least in rider van 1 we feel we deserve them. As we speak, Matt and Richard are rolling an amazing pace through a very flatish section of Quebec on our way to Quebec City. Things are right on pace...maybe even ahead.

Special Thanks to Mike's Bikes.

As luck would have it, they ended up bringing a 20 person peleton to my ride schedule! Amazing.

What was refreshing is that instead of hammering the pace (like we have & do almost each time we ride), they intelligently raised and maintained the consistsent 31+k avg we requested. Brilliant.

Mike's daughter has juvenile diabetes and six weeks ago he kicked things into high gear and has since raised over $3500k! All of the riders (pro riders might i add), were super accomodating and helpful as they forced me to the back of the back to conserve enegry. I obliged and as night fell, i was happy i did.

The excitement of the morning ride, as well as the fantastic receptions ensured no one slept a wink all day, yet as i write this blog, I sit alone (outside of the two drivers). Once again, I have to give kudo's to all the volunteers on the ground, Carmen, Fred, Bryan, Leslie, Jan, Felix, Alex, Curtis, Jay, Robert,Tom, Suzanne, David, & Kim for the unbelievable round the clock support they have provided us o do what we do best.

Although we will ride into Vancouver and recieve a great deal of the accolades, it's truly those people who have facilitated this journey! They seriously rock. And then to hook up with supportive bike stores from across the maratimes - well, let me say - it's overwhelming. Off to bed, chat with you tomorrow.

Cheers

Good bye Halifax - Hello Canada

Team H2V is officialy on the road.

Could not have asked for a better send off from Halifax. The day started from Black Rock Beach in Halifax harbour – the official tire dip, message from the Premier of Nova Scotia and pipers. Thank you to all our supporters and sponsors for joining us for this special send off.



The 5 riders, behind a police escort, lead a peloton of 17 support riders out of Halifax and onto the start of our journey. Thanks you to CycleSmiths out of Halifax for your awesome support. Once we got the CycleSmiths support peloton into place we dialed the speed up and managed a 37 KHM average and covered 107 KM in 3 hours.



Could not have asked for a better riding conditions – sunny and warm.

Thank you to the City of Halifax who was most accommodating and supportive – the Citadel Hotel staff were incredible in accommodating all our requests – Thank you.

After 10 months of planning and putting this event together it is a releif and pleasre to finally be on the road. Have not slept well over the past few nights

Next ride for me is at 11:30 – I will ride from 11:30pm to 1:30 am, and will be entering New Brunswick.

The team is dialed – ready to ride hard - and ready to bring it home.

Tell you friends/family to follow us on line.

dinner was amazing..

Last night, the team was treated to an amazing dinner. One of my teammates at Innovative Fitness, Josh Allen, is from Halifax and now lives in Vancouver. After a couple busy days, the team found some time to get away to his families house. We were looking forward to a traditional Hungarian meal.
As soon as the team jumped out of the cabs, our host was running down the driveway with open arms. Big hugs and smiles all around. The team had a tour of their home and sat with appitizers and stories. Shortly there after, we made our way to the dinning room and there is began. As I mentioned, a traditional hungarian meal was in order. Wow, we ate for what seemed forever. It was incredible. We left there with full bellies and memories of a wonderful visit.
Team H2V is so lucky. We are so greatful to have people everywhere that are eager to sit and talk to us. For a bunch of normal guys, the attention is powerful. Another example...the team was out for a ride yesterday and someone must have seen us because when our support team was out shoping for suplies, there was some serious excitment in the store.

On to today...We started the day with an interview at the Q 104, a local radio morning show and now the team is enjoying our last day in Halifax. To be honest, we are looking forward to really kicking back and relaxing. The support team is picking up the decalled RV's and prepping them for the days to come. The riders are stretching and hydrating.

This is offically the last blog I wil be writting in an open space. Versus the next time when I will be sitting in a moving RV composing a message... We are offically leaving at 8:30am tomorrow morning and the team is pumped to get this mission in play.

The countdown is about to begin...stay tuned!

Love Halifax...and Volunteers!

Hello from Sunny Halifax...

The Sun Gods were upon us today as we departed for another ride in Halifax...After yesterdays gong show of rain, pot holes, traffic and flat tires we were very happy to sweat out some local beverages we have been enjoying and the butter from our Lobster Dinner last night....(so good!!)..

As we get closer to our Epic Journey, i took some time today to think about the people who have taken 2 weeks out of their lives to help us on our journey...(sorry two weeks now, but it has been 9 months of work).

We have team meetings every morning, just catching up and setting up plans for the day. When i showed up for our first one, i strolled down expecting some basic stuff, pens, paper, coffee. But what i found was the Critical Situation Room at the White House....Lap tops with wireless cards, blackberrys, map books, GPS, Video Cameras, the full meal deal....Phones were going off, people were planning routes, menu's, critical situation plans, first aid, it was awe inspiring to see all these people working on our Epic Journey like we were under attack...These people are amazing, and they are working from Sun up to Sun down to make sure our Epic Journey goes as smoothly as possible...

Like on any team if everyone is playing their position to their best that team can not be defeated..And that is how i feel everyday here...Our team is fireing on all cylinders and everyone is working their positions perfectly...

Nothing can stop us now....Look out Canada here comes Team H2V, all of us....I hope you are ready!!

See you on the road...

Keith

The wow factor

[the boys at the citidel]

Its Tuesday and the man upstairs decided to get the remainder of the precipitation out of the way prior to the ride.
Didn't stop us as we headed out into the streets of Halifax. But I'm not interested in talking about us. I'm interested in talking about the rest of the people who have decided to come to the party.

This party has been planned for 9 months now. Invitations went out early, the location was set, and the menu was outlined. RSVP's were slow to come initially and though there was some interest, not many people got back to us. Regardless, we remained focused and kept time, date etc all the same. 1 month passed.... and then the next until finally (1.5 months prior to the party) we began to worry that people may not come.

However, all any good party needs is a little pr and over the past month, we (and our GREAT supporters) have provided that pr and people have responded with a "WOW". From affected children dropping off cards of congratulations, to entire provinces rallying behind this group to the prime minister of Canada hearing about this epic ride and delegating representation - we will make this happen.

MILLIONS will see what we are doing.
MILLIONS will be inspired to help
MILLIONS will benefit from the collective effort

and people, collectively, that's a big WOW.

good for all of us.

Team H2V hits Halifax

Team H2V hits Halifax

The day started out with a spectacular departure from YVR. Global TV was present covering the send off with all our families and supporters. It was a momentous occasion as it officially marks the start of our journey.

After a quick stop in Toronto to pick up a team mate Team H2V has arrived in Halifax and is in full swing to get under way.

Mechanics have worked the first few hours assembling bikes and getting the bikes and riders ready for an early morning ride.

The next couple days will be sent putting the final touches on our send off ceremonies, installing all the technology on our RV’s and getting the riders and support crews comfortable in the motor homes for their epic journey home.

Stay tuned as this historic event unfolds.

Moving to Base Camp 1

Check the ticker.

Check the news.

Review the papers.

Place all belongings in the stow away compartments above your heads or by your feet.

In case of emergency air masks will fall from above.

Do you remember how to use a seat belt.....?!

Buckle up Halifax....Here comes TEAM H2V and we are ready to rock!!!!!!

Thanks for all the support and remember we want to hear from you, we want you to pass on the messages of Team H2V, and most of all get those donations happening. Friday is the real launch but today is the start of our journey to base camp 1. Follow the journey and be a part of history.

Live to ride. Ride for other to live.

A Night of Promise – A Night to Remember.

Our official send off party for Team H2V could not have gone off in better style. Fiends family and supporters packed into So Cial Restaurant in Gastown to show their support and send us off with their best wishes.

Thank you to Premier Gordon Campbell for joining us for this special evening and lending his support.

We also appreciated the opportunity to spend time with our sponsors and thank them for their very valued support. With out their commitments Team H2V would not have had the opportunity to accelerate the pace of this project like we have.

A special thanks goes out to the organizing committee, headed up by Suzanne Clement, Anita Holler, Cheryl Wilson Stewart, and Gail Furlong, they did an absolutely perfect job. The evening was alive and the comments I have had all day have been nothing short of fantastic praise.

Our early tally for the evening indicated that we raised close to $30,000 - which should bring us very close, if not over three quarters of a million dollars, for total dollars raised to date.

We are two days away from our final departure to Halifax and 7 days away from the start of our ride.

I encourage you to check out our website regularly as additional content is being added daily. We also have a subscribe feature that you can sign up for daily notices from the team while we are on the road. You can also track our progress with our GPS tracking and follow the drama with our web cam.

Please share our amazing adventure with a friend and stay tuned.

K

did you ever think it would get this big?

That's the question people have been asking as they start to see the groundswell reach the tipping point.

Our answer... yes.

Last night saw our premier amongst 400 close family, friends, sponsors and supporters demonstrate just how great this epic journey has become. Our focus, has now been adopted as their focus as the reality of the comes to fruition.

At the time of this release we can only estimate the dollar amount raised, but assure many we will be leaving close to if not over the 3/4 million mark.

Now, its time for the rest of Canada to do their thing. We are coming hard & we are coming fast... Spread the word.

Here we go.

I’m up early and ready to get on the big ride. But it’s only Thursday and we haven’t even flown to Halifax yet. Humm, funny that I’ve been talking about time speeding up and now the focus seems to be on time slowing down. So yes, it’s time to get the show on the road.

This afternoon we are dropping our bikes off at John Henry Bikes to get boxed. That’s right; the next time we are on our bikes will be on the East coast. I’ve never been that far east in Canada so that in itself is exciting. But I won’t even get into how incredible that whole process next week leading us onto the road will be...let’s save that.
This evening we have our farewell party in Gastowns’ SoCial. An auction, celebrities’ and speeches will fill the 5:30-7:30 affair. There’s space available, www.teamh2v.com

I’m sure the weekend will creep by, but that 6am call time Monday at the airport will surly soon be here. This is only the beginning of the next chapter for Team H2V. Because of people like you, this journey is alive and riding full speed ahead...here we go!

Rider talk.

Keith Nicoll

q: How has this event impacted your life

i. It has increased my awareness on Type 1 diabetes, and how it affects the child and their family.
ii. It has also increased my awareness related to other child hood diseases
iii. Made me realize how lucky I am to have a child without a disease or disability

q: What has surprised you the most

i. The support from complete strangers, people I have never met before will approach me at the shop or on the street and wish us good luck, and how many people I actually know that have J.D., people keep diseases very quiet and I find that sad.
ii. The lack of confindence in some people, mostly other athletes, many people have rolled their eyes when we explain what we are about to do, the epic journey we are about to embark on.
iii. How this epic journey has evolved from 5 guys having sushi in January discussing this ride, to a team of over 20, corporate sponsors, and crazy support from everyone I meet

q: If you had one wish for the ride what would it be
i. That every person available in this great country of ours will do
two things, 1. Support us financially, a dollar per person will make a
difference 2. Come out and ride with us in our peloton

q: Biggest concern(s) heading into this event
i. No concerns, we have done all we can, we have the greatest team (riding and support), we are prepared and we will finish. (maybe the chance of snow??)

q: The people who have surprised you the most
i. My teammates, they are the most unbelievable people. We started of with a vision and we have all followed through on it. We have been there for each other through all the drama we have come across this year. They will be friends for life.

Lets Go already....The Anticipation is Killing me!!!

I feel like a kid at Christmas time, or just before you birth day, the anticipation is killing me, i just want to get the show on the road.
I can't sleep, i wake up at 4am everyday making a list in my mind on what i (a) need to do at work before i leave (b) what i need to do at home before i leave (c) what i need to pack. I also start questioning my training, did i do enough, did i do it right, should i have drank less Pinot Gris this summer ( i drank a lot!!).
I am so looking forward to tomorrow night, it is our big kick off at SoCial in Gastown, we are expecting over 200 people, including lots of celebrity types like Gordon Campbell. It will be really cool also to meet all the people who have been supporting us and our journey, putting faces to the names i see on emails, have a few drinks and just relax before our trip begins.

So many people have supported us along our journey, from support on our rides at night, to donations to support in kind. All of you are very important to us and our goal of 1 million dollars, and even though it has been said before i will say it again, THANK YOU!!!

Remember we still have tickets available for tomorrow night, so if you know anyone who would like to attend, or any you would like to attend make sure you send them the link to our website and have them come down to SoCial for what will definately be a big night out!!

www.teamh2v.com

Also remember we will be blogging on the road so look for some interesting story's along the way.

Keith

Rider talk.

Bryan Kelly.
Marketing and Sales North Shore Athletics.
Role : Alternate rider / Mechanic
Age - 24.

Q: How has this experience positively impacted you thus far
A: Knowing that the efforts of my hard work will translate into funding for
curing a disease that affects people close to me

Q: What has surprised you the most heading into the event.
A: The grandeur of the event

Q: If you had 1 wish for this ride it would be...
A: Make it back sane after being in an RV with Nicoll and Willie

Q: Biggest concern heading into the adventure
A: Hills in BC

Q: The person / people who has / have surprised you the most during this
event is....
A: Balagno family

Which Is Greater?

Compare if you will:

• A Guinness World Record Attempt
• A ride of 6000 + kilometres in only 9 Days
• A significant total of almost $750,000
• People who are giving both time and money beyond their means because they believe
  

The answer can be all of the above but when it really comes down to it we look for those that are giving beyond their means in time, effort and financial capacity as our inspiration.

A person who only has $10 but gives it all is one of our most important advocates. They are giving with their whole heart and have invested at a level of 100%.

Most of us tell ourselves that we are truly charitable, that we really help others and that we give unconditionally but the real truth is far different. Whether it is Team H2V, your family or a special cause I ask you to think about what would make you deliver at 100%. You will find that you are inspired and truly happy if you can eliminate lingering doubts about what you are doing for the world.

The greater is of course #4. When the ride is over and the record set those that give beyond their means will continue to deliver in that same manner. They are the real heroes.

Could you be one of those people? Have you hit 100%? What's inside you?