Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tueday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008

Here we are in EAU CLAIRE our cycle for habitat coming closer to an end for 2008. We had a fabulous time in Tomah last night and after a long challenging hot day and yes, with hills, we were treated with a fabulous dinner! he past few days we have been bussed to local high schools for showers, such a treat after our long rides. Today's ride started out wonderful with the wind at our backs and nice open highways. It was a little cloudy and wet in the morning but broke open to beautiful sunshine!

As the norm our lunch was fabulous, the dynamic trio of June, Jan, and Claudia never cease to please is with their delicacies. Today we had tacos, veggie chilli and other delicious side dishes.Setting out on our bikes for the afternoon we noticed the clouds building and we were all hoping to get in before the predicted storms. But our guardian angels, Bill W, Bill E, Darryl, Syl, Jim, and Joanne were on storm alert and had us racked while 60 km winds were howling. Some riders were going to do a century today, so were a little disappointed with the storm.

Well, my thumbs are getting sore as I'm on my blackberry so will say goodnight. Also, I'm sure there will be pictures posted later of the storm! Sent from my Blackberry wireless device

Candy B.

Hello from Lodi, Wisconsin - about 90 minutes inland from Lake Michigan. We're on the home stretch of this 1600 km Cycle of Hope on behalf of Habitat for Humanity Winnipeg. We arrived mid-
afternoon following a hot day on rolling hillside rural country.

As has been the case throughout the trip, we continue to be treated well, with our host, the United Methodist Church providing a spaghetti, and pulled pork supper, access to internet and phones, to allow parents to reach loved ones with birthday greetings and the like.

A couple of incidents remain fresh from today's ride. We crossed a 32 thousand acre nature preserve, complete with a billboard, requesting the motorists, "Give Wildlife a "BRAKE" with the added notation, 210 deaths this year.. Within 100 metres, we came across three Canada Geese, deaths, 211, 212, 213. We cyclists, may not always get the respect we feel we deserve, but we seldom suffer the same fate.

We also cycled through a series of farms, that were hit by a terrific storm on June 7th, that resulted in hundreds of mature trees being toppled, houses with windows missing, and roofs ripped off. Anne, one of our riders, commented that it looked like the Whiteshell following that tornado.

As always, we'll be on the road, bright and early, with a special treat in store, a tour of a local Habitat for Humanity home that is currently under construction. We're hoping for cloud, and cool weather tomorrow. Time will only tell...

On the road, from the 15th annual Cycle of Hope, I'm Al F.

This is going to be short and sweet as people are waiting for me to finish the blog because we have to get to dinner and I still have to help with clean-up duty!

Today we were at the Ferry landing by 7 am and enjoyed a gorgeous ride across the lake. Some people slept, other people fought off nausea and others enjoyed a morning of comradeship.

About ½ the group rode the 40 kms along the lake. It was a breathtaking ride, enjoying the country side and the leisurely ride. The winds were coming from the West, so it was hitting us on the side – not to tough.

Tonight we are staying at a church and our hosts have generously supplied us with dinner. We are able to use all the rooms in the church and people have found little cubby holes to sleep in, while others stay in the common area.

We were transported to the ‘Y’ for a shower – glorious!! Lots of hot water and long soaks.

Signing off for now…
Candy B.

An interesting scene unfolds daily as our Cycle of hope gang springs into action at 5am (I guess we don't always spring)...From the moment, Henry, the former doctor "bellows" our morning alarm/greeting, there is a current of activity. Sleeping bags, pillows, and air mattresses are packed up, cycling clothes and gear is put on, amid the usual bathroom routines, application of sunscreen, a hearty breakfast, last minute checks or repairs of the bicycle....and all this occurs during a period of 90 minutes as 45 cyclists, a half dozen Support team members and 6 vehicles are on the road again....

Today's highlights?

An absolute must ride for cyclists along Michigan Highway 119 - a two lane stretch of blacktop called Tunnel of Trees, a heritage trail with Lake Michigan on our right and fabulous homes, owned by people like Michael Moore and Madonna on our left. We also experienced the respect with which Habitat for Humanity is held, as we stopped along the way at a cherry farm and roadside diner. The owner spoke highly, about the impact a Habitat home had made for a local deserving family. The day ended in Elk River Michigan, where some of us took advantage of a beautiful July evening to take a refreshing swim in Lake Michigan.

Veteran riders tell me that a day, morning, or afternoon off the bike is a good way for the body to catch up, as sore muscles, aches, and the fatigue of 4,5,or even 8 hours on the bike starts to take its toll.

We've been told, we can expect a warm reception in Ludington as we will be hosted by the Cornerstone Baptist Church.....

Thanks for your support along the way..

Al F. - 15th annual Cycle of Hope

We woke this morning to dark clouds, flashes of lightening and a sprinkle of rain. We have had such beautiful weather up until now that a little rain was expected.

The whole day was challenging, opening with (guess what?) a few really long and winding climbs. Those of us without the ‘granny’ gear were grunting, groaning and swearing all the way up the hill! Compounding the hills was the wet road and deep puddles.

However, again, the country side is beautiful and we found ourselves riding through tree covered highways and the view from the top of the hills are spectacular.

Lunch this day was at Quacker State Park – beautiful set-up and always a gorgeous lunch. We had a few guests from a group of young riders biking across the state. Although they were invited to lunch, they declined opting to quench their thirst.

The spread included, ‘special’ cabbage salad with orange sections, cashews, and a variety of nuts.. very good. We had wraps, sandwiches, chicken salad, salmon salad, cheese, pickles .. you name it.

The ride in the afternoon was a challenge due to the afternoon wind picking up but everyone was proud of their personal accomplishments.

In the evening Olenka gave us the background on the Cycle of Hope ride. It was a very interesting story and you can see how the ride has evolved to this date.

We did our usual lost and found gig. We are so lucky to have Alanna on the ride as she graciously sings for us. However, Henry had to claim a lost item and he led with a beautiful Cornish Lullaby. He had us all engaged! 

Later in the evening we all got together as a group under Jim’s leadership. What a fun night. Bob and Alanna entertained us with their guitars and beautiful voices and made the evening interactive!

We got to stay up a little later this night but were going to be up at 5 am the next day to catch the ferry.

Candy B.

As I’m writing the blog we are being royally serenaded by Alana L. singer and songwriter – she is so extremely talented and engaging, it’s hard to concentrate on writing, so please bear with me. (See photo.)

Today was a little cooler than the other days which lent to a beautiful start to the day. We opened with a couple of ‘wake-up legs’ hills (sounding familiar huh?) which gets the blood pumping and the heart racing. The terrain was a little more challenging compared yesterday, but the consensus from the group was that it was a lovely ride.

Compared to the first day, the ratio of lost riders is coming down, however, what is a ride without a little excitement. Today, Ann and Linda were enjoying a scenic cycle, but, when they reached Wisconsin they knew the map was wrong. They told us they were not disappointed, as were able to ride battle the head wind up the hills and got a taste of what’s to come in later days.

We have had a couple of injuries (not serious) on the ride including two sore knees, one hornet sting, saddle sores (ouch!), Achilles tendons and numerous quad aches.

Unfortunately, we did have to rack our bikes due to road construction. We put our bikes on the dinosaurs, squeezed approximately 14 people in the van for the short two mile hike down the highway. As we were pulling away, someone called out, ‘Where’s John Loewen?’ Well, we all knew he was probably wetting his whistle and left with a clear conscience. He wasn’t mad.

Lunch was unbelievable as usual.. today we had a Chinese cabbage salad to die for and all agreed there needs to be a new edition of the ‘Habitat for Humanity, Cycle of Hope recipe book.

Back at the host school – we had a pizza dinner and some of us did laundry and other people went shopping. Everyone met up at the local ‘cheers’ for reflections on the ride and some good ‘fish’ stories – “ You should have seen me, I was doing 72 km. down that hill!” “Oh yeah! I was doing 75 kms.” You know how these stories go…smile.

Tomorrow we are on our way to St. Ingace… Good Night.

Tomorrow’s blog will be done by Al!

It's Al F. blogging for Candy B...

Hello from Iron River, Michigan...

As a note or encouragement, one of the cyclists received from his daughter, 173 kilometres...173,000 metres...17,300,000 centimetres...173,000,000 millimetres...That's not too bad hey? Well it turned out not too bad for the first Century Ride (160 km’s/100 miles in one day). Our group was on the road by 6:45 and benefited from a wind at our backs, and cloud for much of the day.

Those of us, who are first time cyclists are realizing that there is a lot more to be seen, when you are travelling at 25 to 35 kmh. We’ve admired fantastic countryside, including lakes, forests, rivers, and a surprising amount of wildlife, including a bear. We’ve also seen some “unique” attractions, like a mosquito sculpture made of iron, and billed as an average size mosquito – something we Manitobans – were not quite in agreement with.

We’ve also been treated as special guests (again)...the local hosts at the First Baptist Church fed us, and then followed it up with a donation to Habitat for Humanity Winnipeg. One of the local cooks said, she had never expected to become involved with Habitat for Humanity and was pleased as punch to do so, especially after she heard that she was partnering with a mom back in Manitoba in her dream to live in her very own home.

Our group has also discussed at length, our commitment to the overall safety of the riders and support staff, in this the 15th annual ride, something we know that our family and friends back home are concerned with as well.

We’re building homes and building hope with Habitat for Humanity!

Good night,

Al F.

Another gorgeous day with a slight cloud cover and a cooling light breeze. We got our legs pumping right from the hopper with a couple of nice climbs within the first 1/2 hr. of the ride. However, after 'attacking' those initial climbs, we were strong and ready for the rest of the day.
 
With consensus from the group, we decided we should have at least one paragraph dedicated to the wild life riders encountered on the road.  For openers the group I was riding with almost rode right into a huge brown bear. Thank goodness for Kieron's eagle eyes as we could have been breakfast...we needed to stop our bikes and wait for the mammoth to cross the highway.
 
Our tandem riders, Patty and Ken were chased by a couple of vicious canines, teeth baring and looking like they meant business. Fortunately, they were not bitten and left unscathed, albeit shook-up.
 
On a more tender note Hazel, Cathy, Debbie and numerous other riders came across two beautiful fawns peeking out through the bushes. Doug and Alvin came across a couple of painted turtles sunbathing on the tarred highway. They scooped them up and placed them in the ditch next to the highway.
 
We just finished a delicious meal that our hosts prepared consisting of spaghetti, Caesar salad, garlic bread and choices of cookies, chocolate brownies and cakes. The riders are winding up for the day and are being serenaded by the high school's brass band (they are practicing).
 
Tomorrow's our first century ride (100+km on the bikes) and people are greeting it with mixed emotions, but are all ready for the challenge. We heard it is all on flat terrain... we won't believe it till we experience it.
 
Next stop Iron River!
 
Good night from one tired blogger.

Candy