Monday 8 June 2009

Wise or a Whoosie, now I know...

...Wise!

This weekend was the Rideau Lakes Bike Tour and truth be told I was still sort of wallowing in my pity party.

Some of the Wooo's Hooo's bowed out of the event and sold off their spots quiet easily and in no time flat. I on the other hand tried to sell mine, but for some reason no one was interested. I took it as a sign that I really was suppose to go and enjoy the time being Sherpa extraordinaire to Karen and Nancy, which I happily did.

If you recall, Nancy started Chemo on March 31st of this year in her ongoing battle with Lupus. Even though she is struggling with the effects of the chemo, it certainly is NOT keeping her down. Two weeks before the cycle tour Nancy ran the Half Marathon in 2:30, right along with Karen during the Ottawa Race Weekend. You girls ROCK!!




We all go through life struggles and Karen is certainly going through her fair share this year too. 2009 has been a life altering year for many of the Wooo Hooo's but we all support one another in what ever fashion we can. We are all like sister's, we laugh, cry, get along, have differences of opinions and sometimes get ticked off with one another, but we always support one another when the going gets tough.

What an amazing group of women. I'm so very proud to have ALL of you as friends.

Saturday morning dawned bright, sunny and a little cool, but the kind of day you knew would warm up. The girls left early to meet at the Perth Curling Club and get on their way. A 100K ride would take awhile....

I left later in the morning after packing up the cooler with fruit, drinks, chocolate milk and a couple of bottles of adult BEvERages and and made my way to the Curling Club to collect my bib number and the tour route.

WOW!!! I honestly can say I've NEVER seen so many cyclists! All shapes, all sizes, all ages. Spandex and Lycra for days!!! Every type of bicycle imaginable....WOW! Pretty good eye candy too! After ogling, I headed off to find the girls...

The tour is meticulously monitored with designated rest stops, pit stops, food, drinks and shade! There is a roving bicycle maintenance truck that covers the entire route, back and forth depending upon where they are needed. There are water stops with CB operators talking to one another giving updates as to how the masses are moving. There were bike clubs from all over Ontario, Quebec and the USA, there were families, recumbent's and bicycles built for two...

Since there are various distances involved and various levels of capabilities, the tour is touted as this.
"This tour is intended for experienced and mature riders who are able to ride both days. There is no return transportation provided on Sunday.

Although en route support includes sag vehicles, communications, police escorts and mechanical support, riders must be self sufficient as only the disabled riders can be accommodated in the rescue vehicles.

Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult who will assume full responsibility for them. "

Our other friends Anne and her husband Dean were cycle the 177K distance with a bike club they often ride with, so I didn't even see them until we reached our destination.

Since I am at work and without the rest of my photo's and because there is just soooo much to write about, I will continue this story at another time...

It is where the Wise comes in.....


Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

15 comments:

Jo Lynn said...

There is no substitute for a great friend. ;)

Marlene said...

Sounds fabulous so far. Can't wait to read more about this amazing weekend.

Jess said...

Can't wait to read the rest!

Unknown said...

Can't wait to hear all about it.

TNTcoach Ken said...

U were meant to be there.....

Kim said...

You are so awesome for being Ms. Sherpa. And isn't it SO true...whew...you get ALL kinds of shapes in that spandex, even more so than you see in running!

Groover said...

The friendships, you describe, are real treasures. Hold on to your WooHoo's.

The ride, you describe, sounds amazing, too. Glad, that you had a good time.

Unknown said...

Fun stuff. Looking forward to reading more about it. :-)

Anne said...

They really do someund like amazing sisters. I think it was an omen too that you should join them. Besides, those pity parties are so overrated.

Judi said...

i just think that's so freaking cool that you are injured, and can still show up to cheer your friends on. you rock woman.

bluecolnago said...

sounds like you had a good time. all that lycra and eye candy.... :)

Carolina John said...

good friends make the long bike rides great bike rides. nice job lilly!

EndorphinBuzz said...

You made the right choice in going. You can live the experience through them and I'm sure they will all appreciate the fresh and not so sore, smelly and complaining company ;)

Unknown said...

Amazing experience !!! You have been wonderful to your friends. Wow !! I am moved especially for Nancy and Karen.

Now, care to tell me more about a couple of bottles of adult BEvERages? Hee hee..

I cannot wait to read more....

Bluenoser said...

I like this.

-B