Become a Volunteer Fundraising for Habitat Cycle of Hope Ride Around the Lake Muddy Waters 2007 Cycle of Hope Cycle of Hope 2008 2007 Daily Blog 2008 Photo Album   On the Road: The Daily Blog of Cyclist Chad F. Cyclist Chad F. will be filling us in on all the adventures our cyclists encounter along the way, and he’s bringing his camera with him! Make sure to bookmark this page and check back often!     Saturday, July 7, 2007 Friday, July 6, 2007 Thursday, July 5, 2007 Wednesday, July 4, 2007 Tuesday, July 3, 2007 Monday, July 2, 2007 Sunday, July 1, 2007 Saturday, June 30, 2007 Epilogue Saturday, July 14, 2007 Friday, July 13, 2007 Thursday, July 12, 2007 Wednesday, July 11, 2007 Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Monday, July 9, 2007 Sunday, July 8, 2007     Epilogue   Post-Cycle of Hope   It has now been a couple of days since the end of the bike trip, and I can honestly say I miss the time on the bike and then hanging out afterwards. It has been great to see family and friends, catch up on sleep, and shower without four other guys, but it was undoubtedly one of the best, most interesting experiences of my life. I can't wait for the wind-up to see everybody again, but until then, I will keep on biking around town, hoping to run into some of my new friends on the road. Thank you all for sharing a great two weeks with me. And thanks to all of you who were reading this for your interest and compliments. It has been a blast!   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Saturday, July 14, 2007   Day 15 - The Final Day   The first 60 kilometres went by in a blur as everyone was anticipating getting back home, seeing family, and riding down Portage with a police escort. To start with the latter, the ride down Portage was fantastic! We had ten police cars blocking intersections, lights, and traffic which allowed us to motor on by. This was joined by some cheering fans, and some hilarious jeers. We ended on Atlantic Avenue, where the home dedication was to be held. It was really neat to see our work in fundraising and cycling culminate in a very deserving family getting a house. It made all of the trials worth it, and all of the good times a little bit sweeter. There was a barbecue afterwards where everyone got their hug quotient in, and then it was off for home to sleep for the next couple of days.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Friday, July 13, 2007   Day 14 - A Visit in Carman   We started the day in Langdon, looking forward to the Pembina Valley, home soil, and, of course, Debbie's birthday. After breakfast and singing, we started on our second last day and what a great day it turned out to be. We finally had a tail wind, which led to speeds in the bike pack of over 40 kilometers an hour (though Allan was still telling us to pick up the pace). A nice, long downhill took us into the Pembina Valley, and we ended up at the Walhalla campground where we had our last celebratory toast and a mock wedding. Much to our disappointment, we had to rack our bikes up to cross the border. We weren't allowed to ride in some parts of Canada either. A permit is needed to ride in a group on the highway, so we had to rack all the way to Winkler. But then we were allowed to ride on the highway to Carman, which is both busy and has no shoulder. Go figure. Carman meant a stop-in by some of our family members, including my Grandma and Grandpa. It was good to see them and catch up for a little bit. The evening was spent watching the Bombers lose, and anticipating our final day into Winnipeg.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Thursday, July 12, 2007   Day 13 - Plain and simple   Today we rode through the plains, and they were just that. Plain. Long stretches of open road, fields on the left, fields on the right. Quite the contrast between now and when we first started in Yellowstone with the mountains, hills, streams, and valleys. But it was a good ride all the same. We had our pancakes and orange juice, and took off to Langdon, North Dakota. It was a shorter day today: only 110 clicks, and all was going well until the turn north into Langdon. There was a strong northwest wind, and we had to go into it head on for 40 grueling kilometres. But we made it though and only have minor aches and pains to show for it, so all is well. We had a beautiful afternoon and evening here lounging outside, sharing stories, and icing our aches and pains. A special thank you goes out to Allan and Bob, who shared stories and experiences of the ride and life with the group after supper, and to “J. Lo,” for organizing these times of sharing. We head back to our native soil tomorrow and are all looking forward to spending money that can be easily discerned. Although it was a great time, the closer we get back to Winnipeg, the more blessed I feel that we live in such a caring and generous community. The support that we have gotten from our families and friends to help us in our mission of building a Habitat Home is astounding. See you all on Saturday!   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Wednesday, July 11, 2007   Day 12 - Congratulations all around   Another century day come and gone. This one was met with a myriad of conditions: wind at our backs, wind at our faces, and a crazy wind/rain storm while biking around Devils Lake, which is where we are currently staying. It seems that most people who wanted to complete a 100 mile ride on the trip did: a fairly big milestone for a lot of cyclists. As a result, a little toast and celebration will take place commemorating the event. Those who completed the grueling ride should be proud; it’s quite a feat. Congratulations! We are in an air conditioned church tonight, which is funny because as we’ve struggled riding through the heat, we always ended up in a building that seemed just a little bit hotter than the outside. Now that it is cool, we are in a place that is a little bit cooler than the outside, but I look forward to putting on my sweats which have been delegated to the bottom of my bag for the past week and a half. Tomorrow looks to be a treat since we get to sleep in ‘til 6 a.m. I’m looking forward to my first eight hour sleep in what seems like forever. Another congratulations to all those that have completed their century, and have a good night!   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Tuesday, July 10, 2007   Day 11 - Thanks for Reading   As is so often the case with our ride, contrast plays a big part. It was super hot at the beginning of our journey, and we all said we could do with some cooler temperatures, but at least we didn't have too much wind to contend with. Today, while it was cooler with some nice cloud cover, we also faced some serious head wind. The reprieve came after lunch for about 20k, and also at the very end of the day’s ride, which is helpful because it makes everyone forget (or at least remember a little less of) the troubles of earlier in the day. The showers were cold but at least we are clean. Today, we heard from Daniel and Larry about their cycle experiences – what they have gained and gathered from the ride, and how it has impacted them personally. It almost seems like we are on an adult summer adventure camp with everything catered, allotted free time, and a wake-up call. But the stories that are shared and the experiences that are had are meaningful and sincere, and it is a delight to hear other people’s perspectives. I also had the privilege of talking to June - wife of Bob, my cycle hero - on the phone today, and she says she has been following this blog. It gives me great honour and joy to be able to share some of the experiences that have been told to me and that I have had. Thanks for reading, and keep on counting down the days until we come sailing in on Portage Avenue.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Monday, July 9, 2007   Day 10 - A Day Off in Bismarck   As this is a day off, I feel it only fair that I make this short and sweet and enjoy the break. All I will say is that the local bike shop is probably pretty pumped that we landed 3 blocks away. The city’s bike paths are impeccable, and there is a sort of perimeter set up with a path surrounding the city. The people are friendly, and there are 2 disc golf courses in a city of 60,000 – the importance of which will only make sense if you have played. We all ate too much at supper and had a chance to enjoy the Tour de France on the flat screen televisions in the school's cafeteria. Take care and enjoy. We will be home before you know it.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Sunday, July 8, 2007   Day 9 - A Hard Day's Work   We woke up at our normal early hour, got into our tights, and headed off to breakfast, which, we excitedly discovered, were fresh cinnamon buns. A photographer was waiting outside to take our picture for the local paper so we did our best to look good and smile away. Today, we started with our bikes racked to the back of the vans. This is because to fit in the mileage it takes to get back home in two weeks, and to find towns that fit our daily limits, the distance is sometimes too long to bike. We racked for 50 miles, enjoying the chance to nap for an extra hour, and hopped out of the vans, ready to tackle the 130-or-so kilometre day of riding. The ride to lunch was a breeze; the problem was that breeze turned into a wind, which after lunch, turned into our faces. If anyone has cycled in the wind before, they know how much harder it becomes to move those pedals. Our destination for the day was North Dakota's capital city, Bismarck. We headed in there ready for the night and the day of rest that was scheduled for the next day. What we didn't expect was construction followed by an interstate. So, as safety is the number one priority, it was back on the racks again to head to the local high school. This was okay though, as the wind had sucked the energy out of everyone. One thing is certain: we are all ready for our break day tomorrow.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Saturday, July 7, 2007   Day 8 - Halfway There!   Today is my day off. My knee is hurting, and I figure that a day of rest and relaxation in the support vans would probably be the best cure. Plus, this gives me an opportunity to see other cyclists ride in, cheer them on, and part with them knowing they have an orange and a full water bottle. We forwarded our wake-up time to 4:30 a.m. to try and escape the forecasted 110 degree temperatures. The bikes set out on the road at 6 a.m. We had "lunch" at 10 a.m. and after that the ride - and the vans - became a blur of heat. I suppose I shouldn't complain. At least it's not pouring rain, but the heat for the last few days has been extraordinary. Much to our delight, the gym we are staying in seems to be cool, and there is some sort of blocked off street party happening tonight, so we might even see the later part of 10 p.m. if the night turns out well. My computer tells me that we have been on the road for a week now, which means we are half done our journey and some home sickness is starting to sink in, especially at night lying on our air mattresses. So, to all the loved ones out there whom we miss and who miss us back, one more week before we can catch up and compare tan lines (ours are better). Until then, I want to convey a collective "love you," and see you all in a week.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Friday, July 6, 2007   Day 7 – A Nice Treat from the Heat   Our first day facing the wind. We left Miles City full of pancakes and fruit, wary of the heat warnings, but ready to take on the day. Just outside of town is an ascent that never seems to stop, and all you see is up, up, up. That's okay because our legs are used to the terrain, but we seem to have forgotten the unrelenting prairie winds. And so went our day: a mix of heat, head wind, and rolling terrain. The surprise came when we entered our host community for the night, and were housed in a room that overlooked the pool. Much to our enjoyment we got free passes and were transformed into kids again, playing with the balls in the water and splashing around. The heat doesn't want to give up though and we certainly experienced it that night with sweating and sleep seeming to be the only options. Luckily the centre had a few spare fans and we cooled the place down a little bit.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Thursday, July 5, 2007   Day 6 - We Have a Guest Cyclist   We left off on one of the best days of riding so far. The wind was at our backs, we always seemed to be going downhill, and Chris was able to ride again: everything was in our favour. And we had another birthday! It still seems odd that there would be so many birthdays so close to each other, but that's a good thing. June, our wonderful support person who always checks to see if we are alright, is one year wiser. We thank her for her tireless work on the trip. Bill pulled out his whip early in the morning, encouraging us all to ride safe. Soon, we saw a peculiar sight on a giant sand hill. At first, we thought it was a hallucination brought on by the emissions of the local gigantic coal mine, but it ended up being a welcoming wave and clap, and the signal for lunch. We were joined by 15-year-old Eijai, who, being one of the only cyclists in Colstrip, can be considered a pioneer. He ended up riding with us for the next 40 kilometres into Forsythe. We had to rack up the bikes for about 40 miles because we don't want to be cycling on the interstate – our only option – and, quite frankly, we were all hot and tired and ready for a shower, and a chance to share our experiences of the day. So here we are in Miles City, at the very same place we spent our first night, enjoying one more day of not having to worry about the business of life.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Wednesday, July 4, 2007   Day 5 - A Day of Celebrations   Happy  Fourth of July, all you Americans, and those who like fireworks. We started the celebration nice and early in anticipation of another scorcher – which we definitely got. It was Dave's birthday, so it was good that we sang at the beginning of the day because he leads the pack daily and we would probably be too tired and exhausted to do it any other time. So to summarize, happy birthday America; happy birthday Dave. The ride was so easy in the morning that I didn't expect it to be any different after lunch. Speeds decreased, water breaks increased, and the sun shone brighter. The ride wasn't especially long, but it was very hot. Without knowing exact temperatures, it got into the high nineties, low hundreds. But the ride isn't only about biking, as Jan so aptly put it, but community: both with each other, and those that are being impacted back home by the ride. And so the night was spent in Busby, sharing, laughing, and sweating with each other, and hoping for a good night’s sleep.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Tuesday, July 3, 2007   Day 4 – Rollercoaster Ride   Today, to follow our century ride, we figured it would be fun to do a day of constant, steep uphills! So we left Greybull and went up and up for about 30 kilometres - a vertical climb of over 5000 metres. This was offset by a bull in the middle of the highway, and "points of interest" that were stunning, but used more as an excuse to take a break from the climb. Greeting us at our lunch break was a watermelon with a smiley face and the ever-pleasant laughter of the support crew, who will be mentioned frequently over the next couple of weeks. What goes up invariably comes down. The same was true for us, as after a long, exhausting day, we capped it off with 10 kilometres of sometimes scary downhills, leading us into Dayton, Wyoming, a town of nearly 700, where the local high school has become home for the night. So here we are nearing the 10 p.m. curfew, and looking forward to tomorrow for another day of fun and adventure.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Monday, July 2, 2007   Day 3 – Our First Century Ride   An overeager bunch decided to set their alarms an hour before we were scheduled to get up, which means people were on the go at the crack of 4 a.m. This was probably a good thing, as the temperature was expected to hit the high 90's. We started near the gate to Yellowstone, where we would embark on our first ride of the tour. Some call it “a century ride,” others 100 miles, while others just laugh at anyone willing to spend 5-8 hours riding a bike. We started with a long scenic downhill and then hit the rolling plains of Wyoming. True to form, the weather got hot, and we finished our day in near 40 degree (Celsius!) weather with a determined cross wind. Some finished the ride, others didn't, while Nils ended up with six flat tires, enough to frustrate even the calmest of people. A special mention also goes out to Jerry Pritchard who turned 60 today, and is still riding like he is in his twenties.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Sunday, July 1, 2007   Day 2 - Canada Day in America   We arrived in Cody, 50 miles outside Yellowstone National Park. Because of our early start we arrived in town at 11 a.m. - enough time to get to our host church's BBQ at the park that coincided with the town’s annual rodeo. After the BBQ (which was amazing), we could choose between four options. One group went to Yellowstone National Park to smell the sulfur, sit in awe of the canyons, and pay exorbitant prices for dinner. Thanks, Gord, for the ride. Another group went to a Habitat home dedication in Cody. Apparently our representation there was greatly appreciated, and we consisted of most of the people in attendance. The cyclists got to meet the deserving family, take a tour of the house, and got to see Habitat at work in another country. A third group went white water rafting. While most of the white water was grey, good times were had by the group, who got to enjoy water without paying 2 bucks for the local shower. The fourth (and most mellow) group stayed put, got their bikes ready, and relaxed for the day knowing what was to come for the rest of the trip. Hope you all had a great Canada Day!   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top     Saturday, June 30, 2007   Day 1 – Embarking on a great trip for a great cause   3:45 a.m. - Woke up, put the bikes on the back of the car, and headed out the door; we need to be at St. Norbert Community Center at 5 a.m. to leave at 5:30. Sometime after 5:30 we take off. Between the chatter of the walkie-talkies and the bumpy and none-too-pleasant-to-sleep-on Highway 75, we try desperately to catch some sleep before the sun comes up. Noonish - The sun is definitely up - and the air conditioning definitely does not reach the back of the van. The excitement builds as we drive. Evening - We get to Miles City for our first night. The hosts are great, the food just as good, and our little community is starting to grow. As a newbie Cycle of Hoper, the vets are proving to be a great resource, both for information and laughter. 10 minutes later - We take our bikes off the racks and realize that spiky burrs are everywhere, causing flats in a quarter of our tires and allowing the vets to show off their expertise again. No showers, no worries: we are going to be close to each other for the next couple of weeks and the smell won't get any better. So here's to the start of a great trip for a great cause.   The 2007 Cycle of Hope is sponsored by Manitoba Home Builders’ Association.   Back to Top
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