24th
Day 15: Halifax
Yesterday we culminated our cross Canada journey with a 100km ride from Lower Sackville to Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
All three teams were together again for one final ride, accompanied by a couple foundation folks including Jeff Rushton, the founder.
Along the way we made a couple of key stops. First, the Swissair flight 111 monument, just off the coast of Peggy’s Cove. A reminder of our short time here on earth and the need to make the most of it.
We then jumped over to Peggy’s Cove where we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and one another’s company for our last “on bike moments” together as a team. One more stop, the most important of the day, was the IWK children’s hospital in Halifax, in order to show the staff our appreciation for everything they do for the kids of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI - these people are magnificent!
Then, to Point Pleasant Park for the finale - the wheel dip!
We arrived at the park and couldn’t believe our eyes when Josh Nelson and his Mom and Dad, Rina and Drew, were waiting there to congratulate us. After all, Josh is our teammate and he deserves to celebrate his first time on a bike in 8 years after fighting cancer. Sears, the title sponsor had arranged to fly them out for the ceremony.
Each rider and volunteer received a medal recognizing the accomplishment. The riders then took our bikes to the edge of the Atlantic ocean.
Now, before started, 15 days ago, we stood on the edge of the Pacific ocean and dipped our back wheels in, then each took a stone from the shore and put it in our pockets.
When we arrived yesterday to the shore of the Atlantic, we took that stone and, together with a stone from the shore we stood, launched them into the water tying the two edges of the country. We then dipped the front wheel of our bikes into the water, signifying the closure of the journey and to ensure we had literally covered end to end with our bikes.
Our mission was quite simple. Raise $1.5M for childhood cancer research and meaningful programs that help children and their families living with and beyond cancer. How we did that was with help from all of our sponsors and donors and by creating awareness in the 190+ communities in Canada that we visited with along the way. Our journey as 2010 National Riders has ended, but our job of ambassadors fighting for the kids will continue on. Thanks to everyone who made it possible for me to by part in making a meaningful difference. Lisa and Ben, you are everything to me. I want to thank you for being with me every step of the way and pulling me up when I was down, pushing me when I was weak and laughing and crying with me all the way across the country.
I love you both “to the moon and back again”!
Ryan
