13th
Loggin in Loggin on
My name is Catherine, my home town London Ontario, living in Toronto. I have been cycling for 4 years with charitable events. I have gone from Toronto to Montreal the past 4 years with The Toronto People with AIDS Foundation, and fell in love with cycling through participating in this vibrant, dynamic community.
I began dreaming about cycling in other parts of the world. First, I wanted to see my own country. I was inspired by a fellow cyclist, Robert Windrum who was part of the Sears National Coast to Coast tour last year. I wanted to go with him! When the team last year was moving across the country, I found myself checking Robert’s updates with keen anticipation and wishing I was there.
When Robert came back, we got together so that I could learn more about the Sears National Ride. I found my burning desire to see my own country with my own eyes intensified as he told his stories of the different terrain and weather they experienced across the country.
My decision culminated into action as he talked about drafting with his team of ~15 people across the country. I was sold, despite my fears. Whenever I had the opportunity to draft in the past, and when it worked, it was one of the most amazing feelings I had experienced. A feeling of synergy in working with a bunch of people, all being in alignment, supporting each other, a feeling that I sought out in my daily life.
I was particularly impressed with the Coast to Coast against Cancer Foundation because they asked us to pay $4,000 to cover their costs to get us across the country (and I knew from doing my other rides that this was no small feat - food, gas, trucks, RV’s, permits, community events, not to mention all the volunteers) and 100% of the proceeds went directly toward the cause. That means that 17 oncology centers across the country would be the recipients of the money that I collected, and I felt that I could get 100% behind that.
As I thought about the cause, I thought about the many people who had been affected by cancer - when I was 17 I went to Winnipeg to be with my Nanna and watched the last week of my Poppa’s life. My other grandpa “Tut”, recently my mom’s good friend Tish and my prayer mother growing up, other family and close friends. Then I thought about my dear soul sister Michelle, brain cancer her beast. I got this horrible news on Aug. 16, 2006 and she and I travelled together to Brazil in April of 2009, and I experienced something unlike anything else I have experienced during our spiritual pilgrimmage together.
As I contemplated applying for the Sears National Ride, my heart strings pulled on the devastating loss I, and my whole family felt when my cousin Jenny died of leukemia when I was 12 and she 15. As I thought about this, I could envision myself being able to do something positive to honour her memory for myself and on behalf of our whole family. This became my inspiration.
So I applied, and was accepted as one of the 50 National Riders who will be cycling Coast to Coast Sept. 9-23rd 2010.
