riding can be so healing

I woke up in the worst mood this morning.  I really didn't want to ride but I knew my friends from Sarnia were coming state-side for a ride...I had to go.  2 seconds into the ride I felt much better.  Jim and I both know that riding works for me that way so he knew that I would "leave it on the road".

I signed up for the Blue Water Ramble today.  It's official - I'm nuts!

Short entry today...but I want to give a shout-out to my friend Jenn who also signed up for the Ramble.  I'm proud of you and I know you can do it!

Thank you.

I made it through these last few days.  It started on Saturday morning, we woke up at 5:30 to drive to Grand Bend, Ontario for the start of the MS Society Charity ride.  We got there in time for the 7:30 start.  The team rode great and we took breaks at the rest stops in order to refuel with Gatorade, fruit and water.  We rode a total of 55 miles on Saturday and were cheered along the way by grateful Canadians.  Little girls stood on the side of the road with squirt guns asking if we wanted a squirt - YES!!!  I got to the finish line slightly ahead of my team, but as I crossed the line the people were cheering and I could feel Pops and Donna cheering me on and found myself in tears as I crossed the finish line.  There were 1852 riders and we all made it across the finish line healthy on Saturday.  After we finished we got to enjoy University of Western Ontario dinner (really good) and free massages.  There were evening ceremonies where different awards were given for biggest team, most creative team name, biggest fundraisers etc.  Then we all got to sleep in the University dorm....wow has it been a while.  Sunday morning I woke at 6 to eat breakfast and be ready for a 7:30 start again.  we didn't actually start until 8ish.  Going back to Grand Bend was a slightly different route and only 48 miles.  I made good time and got in about 11:45.  Jim and Jeremy were there at the finish cheering me on and a guy they call "High Five Mike" was there too.  He is in a wheelchair and sits just beyond the finish line to high five every rider as we cross.  It was an awesome experience.  There were hills that I thought I'd never make it up, and just as I was ready to get off and walk up the rest of the hill I felt that extra burst and knew that Pops and Donna were pushing me up that hill.

As soon as I got across the finish line we went straight to the car and had to miss more free massage and BBQ.  We were able to get across the border by 2 which allowed me enough time to get a shower and some lunch before we had to leave for the airport.  All our flights were right on-time and Jeremy was a great traveler.  We got into Jacksonville about 10:45 and then went to mom's cousin Tommy's house for the two nights we were there.  Monday we woke up and had breakfast with Tommy and Becky and Tommy's brother Steve and his wife Karen.  It was nice to see some Lee's.  We then headed over to Aunt Susan's to get ready for the service.  It was a beautiful service and I finally let myself mourn.  I'm still mourning so beware I may break down on you.  It is always great to see the family and I got to see many cousins I haven't seen in a while.  It was so nice to touch base in the physical world not just the facebook world.  Jeremy loved being able to play with all the cousins and did not want to come home.

We are home now and life is getting back to normal - at least for a few weeks.  The MS Society is always accepting donations and If you want to help support me in this ride the website for donations is

 MS Society of Canada.

1 week to go!

This time next week I will be on my way to the airport to catch a flight to FL...after completing my 150km in 2 days to raise funds for MS.  I am hoping we will have enough time so I can shower before getting to the flight...and I think everyone else on board would like it too.  I'm just worried about crossing back, since Jim let his Nexus expire we will have to wait in line.  We should be o.k.

Feeling great after today's team ride.  We went 42 miles and took our time - we made it in 3:25.

Short entry today as I need to get moving...lots of laundry to do and grocery shopping too.

It's almost here.

I only have one more Sunday ride until my MS ride.  Today I went out to the Wadhams trail with my new camelbak. Mine isn't pink but I picked it up at a garage sale for $1.  Can't beat that.  Made it about 18 miles with that, then did another 12 more with my water bottle.  I'm really trying to make sure I stay hydrated.  So if you can add you see that I rode 30 miles total.  Good for you.  I wound up turning around earlier than I wanted but I was getting really low on water.  I wasn't smart in waiting until the hottest part of the day either.  It was 90 when I got there and 90 when I left.  Next Sunday I'll be riding with the team again and I will get out Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

My ride is to benefit the MS Society of Canada whose stated objective is:  to be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life.  There are 22 different rides throughout Canada and they are expecting over 10,000 riders in all.  The ride I am doing is a 2-day 150km (93 miles) from Grand Bend Ontario to London Ontario on day one and back to Grand Bend on day 2.  They are expecting 2000 riders. 

On a personal level, I started cycling in June 2010 and could barely make 5 miles.  By October I completed my first 30 mile ride.  A friend of mine from Sarnia, Ontario, started a facebook group called 'My Goals for 2011'.  I joined his group and found a posting on the board about this fundraising ride.  I knew it would be difficult, but when I saw that it was for MS research I had to participate.  In 2008 I lost my Aunt Donna who had been suffering with MS since 1995.  I knew that this was something I could do for her.  I signed up and sent out my first fundraising requests.  My grandpa, Edward Rountree, was one of the first to donate - expressing his sincere appreciation that I could remember his youngest daughter this way.  I am now riding also to honor the memory of the world's best grandfather.  He always made me feel like I could accomplish anything...and knowing he and Donna are watching me, I know I'll be able to overcome this challenge and help many others worldwide who are suffering with this disease.

I have been honored by my family in their support of my ride for MS.  The family has asked that in lieu of flowers for my Pops that people send donations:

If you want to help support me in this ride the website for donations is

 MS Society of Canada.

I miss my grandpa.

This week had highs and lows. I had a great ride with the MS team on the 3rd. We rode 27 miles; 13.5 to Sombra Ontario for dinner and then 13.5 back. It was nice to ride with everyone. It got me really excited for the big ride. Then on the 4th, it couldn't have been a better 4th of July. A lazy morning watching the Tour de France with the stage won by an American; ate red, white & blue pancakes; went swimming at Sanborn pool; cooked out burgers and corn; rode to the beach and then had flag cake and to end the day...sparklers.  July 5th saw a return to normalcy, Jeremy to swim class and an evening ride for me.  

Wednesday morning I woke up to my phone ringing...it's never good news when your phone rings that early.  It was the phone call telling me that my wonderful Grandfather passed away.  Edward Archibald Rountree 1926-2011.  A great life.  Throughout my training and fundraising for my MS Society ride I have been raising funds in memory of my Aunt Donna and now I am also riding in order to honor my grandfather.  I will be leaving directly from finishing the ride on the 24th to catch a flight to Florida for his services.  It will be a tough weekend but it is the least I can do to honor them both.

If you want to help support me in this ride the website for donations is

 MS Society of Canada.