Thursday 5 August 2010

Three Things Thursday

  • We have been having some crazy summer weather here.  It has been hot, hot, hot and humid.  My kind of summer!  For the past few days we have been having major thunderstorms in the afternoon and they are calling for another Boomer today.  Yesterday I came home to find that my patio furniture had been blown right off the deck.  Patio table, cast-iron umbrella stand, chairs, plants all scattered in various locations in my backyard.  The umbrella was over the cedar hedge and broken.  The wind even blew over my birdbaths!   Ahhhhh, you've got to love Mother Nature.



  • Last weekend was the longest consecutive cycle I have ever done in my life.  An unsupported 250K through Up State New York.  We left from Kingston, Ontario taking a ferry across to Wolfe Island, cycled across the island to catch another ferry that would take us to the States.  We cycled from Cape Vincent to Sacket's Harbour, around the peninsula then off to Watertown where we stayed over night.  The next day was Watertown to Alexandria Bay.  Day three brought us back to the ferry to cross out of the United States back to Wolfe Island and then to Kingston.   Was I prepared for it?  Kinda, sorta.  What I wasn't prepared for was the speed of the other cyclists, the HILLS and not stopping for breaks every 20K, (that's for wimps).  What had been advertised as a 21 - 24K tour pace, turned into the other cyclists averaging 28 - 34+Km per hour.  Needless to say I was left in the dust, but what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.  I did it and I'm very proud of myself for digging deep and mustering through it.  (report to follow).

  • This coming weekend is the ride for the MS Society of Canada.  It is a fully supported 175K cycle tour and a cause which is close to my heart.  A former work colleague who became a great friend has MS and I'm cycling for her.    Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. Or that you may not always be able to walk, let alone ride a bike. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone - the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day. 
    If you find it in your heart to make a donation towards the MS Society of Canada, you can find my donation page here.   I THANK YOU in advance.
Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

16 comments:

cdnhollywood said...

Nice ride - I'm jealous!

As for the weather, yeah it's been nuts. Thankfully I haven't been caught in the rain and storms yet this year.

And regarding MS, thanks for working towards a cure. My dad has had degenerative MS for over 20yrs now. A cure will be found.

Judi said...

oh man am i glad you have found a new love - CYCLING! :)

Marlene said...

You have such good spirits about the weather! All I want to do is complain. :/

Congrats on the enormous cycle trip! Sounds like quite the adventure. That's a lotta KM's!!!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your EPIC cycling adventure. Why do so many cyclists insist on riding so darn fast?

And best wishes with the ride for the cure

Unknown said...

Cycling is pretty awesome..and so are you!!!!

Aka Alice said...

Those are some long rides Lily...good for you. (I don't think my hoo-ha could take it).

MarieA said...

whoa... that's just craziness! YOu must be some fit babe these days. If you are home long enough some weekend, let me know and I'll drive over in my car and we can catch up.
enjoy your race this weekend as I take in NASCAR ! woo hoo.

Anne said...

You are amazing! I am so impressed and inspired by all that you do :) Good luck this weekend!

ajh said...

That ride sounds great. Good job keeping up the pace as much as you did!

COTY said...

awesome ride !

Groover said...

Yeah, what an achievement! That's some serious kilometers and speed. Proud of you and can't wait to read the report. Great kit, too.

Nat said...

My ass hurts just reading about cycling either of those distances. Wow. Well done.

Weather has been messed up, I don't think I've ever sweat so much doing absolutely nothing.

Amy said...

Awesome ride and good luck on the MS event!!

Grey Beard said...

Excellent effort and result. Well done!

MrDaveyGie said...

Impressive, that is a lot, alot and allot of miles. Bravo.
Ride ON.
DAve

Grey Beard said...

FYI, YMMV, but stock rear wheels will not stand up to touring loads. Shimano Ultegra 6600 hub, OpenPro rim, 36 14/15 DT Swiss spokes will, and will last forever.

Think of this like a mud-n-snow tire. $225 custom-built at Excel Sports

Thought I should say something now before a long tour is ruined, along with that sexy stock wheel, by broken spokes and/or split rim.