TOUR DU LAC III - Around the Lake in Seven Days!: 07/01/2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

BERNIE'S PHOTOS ON FLICKR

TO VIEW BERNIE STARRS' PICTURES OF THE TOUR DU LAC, PLEASE VISIT

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=83683867@N08&q=tour+du+lac&m=text

Saturday, July 14, 2012

DAY 7 - FINAL STRETCH - THE HOMECOMING

JULY 14, 2012 - The Tour du Lac riders and drivers are in the final stretch and are getting ready for their exciting ride home.

But First........The Last Reading of The Leader

Probable departure time of 0830 from Lockport with scenic routes planned for both sides of the Niagara River. The TDL TEAM is planning on crossing the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge at approximately 1200 to 1230 then meeting up with Day Riders* at the Brock Monument parking lot in Queenston. It is there that they will begin their 38K cycle home to the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club where they will be greeted by family and friends at approximately 14:45.

*Today's Day riders: Bruce Ross (from Lockport), Jason Dell, Nicola Bradshaw, John D'Ambrosio, Emilio Raimondo

Fort Niagara State Park USA

We are all wishing them a safe journey home and are so proud of all they have accomplished.

The Tour du Lac cyclists and drivers have just cleared Canadian Customs and Immigration at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge @ 11:15 this morning. They will wait for the Day Riders at the Brock Monument and then proceed home.

On Queenston - Lewiston Bridge

Changing a Flat

NOTL

Peller Estates

After cycling over Lock 1 the team stopped for a photo at the Rotary Lakeshore Sign

Meeting TDL Escort Vehicle

Drivers Tom and Fred the first to arrive

ARRIVED back home at 14:45 PM. The cyclists were escorted by a Fire Department Command vehicle and entered the parking lot to find a St. Catharines Fire Department Pumper Truck (Station 6) providing a welcome home arch of misted water for the riders to cycle through before being greeted by many family and friends cheering them on. It was quite the moment.

John Lehnen

Ziggy

Larry

The last of the team to get misted

Dr. Emilio Raimondo & John D'Ambrosio (two of our Day 7 riders)

The Tour du Lac Team July 14, 2012

After the riders were greeted by their loved ones in a very warm parking lot, a reception was held inside the Golf Club for all. Ian spoke about the ride, the riders, committee members and sponsors. He introduced Dr. Sven Pallie, NHS chief of Cardiology, Roseanne Morissette of Performance Cars, Sandra Rothram of the May Court Club, Melody Cunningham and Cathy Henry of Take It To Heart, and together he and Barry unveiled and presented a cheque in the sum of $40,000.00 for the benefit of the Heart Investigative Unit (HIU).

Bruce and Lynnda Ross- Affordable Roofing Sponsor

Barry & Carol Millward

Joanne Maxwell - Driver

The Leader is put to rest along with Larry, Andrew and Tom

Thursday, July 12, 2012

DAY 6 - LOCKPORT HERE WE COME

Shaun Bos, who cycled with the team as far as Kingston, posts: Great Job guys!!! Keep up the hard work, Wish I could have finished with you all.

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It's fun to follow our friends and to vicariously enjoy their Tour experiences.

Doug Geddie

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Departure is scheduled for 0800.

Before leaving Webster........

Larry, Chuck Mertz, Tom, Don and Jim Issac reading the Leader

Ian and Fred discussing the routing

The team will be riding through Rochester mostly in park settings on pathways with some street riding as well. It will be a day of cautious riding, especially in the first few hours. This year their route will be focused more on Route 31 rather than on the canal pathways so as to minimize the stone dust paths. They will cycle approximately 134k. Friday evening they will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Lockport at the Odd Fellows and Rebecca Pavilion. There will be a Rotary meeting, picnic style, which was great fun last year. They are looking forward to seeing their host, David Greenfield and his fellow Rotarians.

George Eastman House

ARRIVED - Everyone arrived safely in Lockport this afternoon at approximately 1600. Temperatures are high and and one point during the ride the temperature hit 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Bruce Ross has also joined the group in Lockport for the cycle home tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

DAY 5 - NEXT STOP WEBSTER

If any of you reading this Blog wish to send comments or greetings to any or all of the Tour du Lac cyclists, please email me @ millward@vaxxine.com and I will gladly post them for you.
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To our Tour du Lac Team-- as you start your journey home- on behalf of the May Court Club of St. Catharines-congratulations on a fantastic effort for our Heart Investigation Unit. You have all brought awareness for the urgent need for quality cardiac care- not only in Niagara but around the lake at all your stops along the way. Safe journey home- we await you at the Club on Saturday for the grand celebration of a job well done.
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PerformanceCars is extremely delighted to hear the news of over $40,000 raised to-date for the Niagara Heart Investigation Unit! All riders are to be commended for your determination to ride and your commitment to making the world a better place. We are particularly proud of our MINI Sales Manager, Shaun Bos! Safe and fun travels everyone! - The Staff and Management of PerformanceCars.

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On behalf of the Take it to Heart Gala Committee, congratulations to all the riders in the Tour du Lac.You are doing such a great job raising awareness of our common goal of committing our time and efforts to completing our pledge of $750,000.00 to the Heart Investigative Unit at the new hospital.

Only 3 more days and we will see you at the Golf Club for the well deserved celebration of a fantastic ride and your wonderful fund raising achievements. WELL DONE!

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Departure for the team is scheduled for 0800.

Reading the "Leader" in Oswego
Are they following the Leader or is the Leader following them?????

Today they will cycle some 115k with hilly stages in the morning, travelling along the scenic southern shores of "Lac" Ontario with a very flat finish in the afternoon. They will have lunch at Sodus Point.

Lunch Sodus Point

The Firefighters

Upon arrival in Webster, most of the team will be billeted by the Rotary Club of Webster and they will attend an evening Rotary Meeting, which was great fun last year. Ian, Barry, Dan, Ziggy, Jake and Joanne are looking forward to seeing Board Member/Troops, Richard Comins and Club President, Chuck Mertz once again.

Cooling down in Webster

ARRIVED - Everyone arrived SAFELY at Webster @ 1600 and are now getting ready for the Rotary Meeting.

As luck would have it, July 11-14th is the annual Webster Volunteer Firemen's Carnival, North East Joint Fire District, proudly serving the communities of Penfield and Webster, Monroe County NY, and tonight is the Firemen's Parade. Guess where the FireFighters are going after the Rotary meeting.

DAY 4 - ONWARD TO OSWEGO

Way to Go Tour du Lac participants!! On behalf of the team at the SCGH Foundation we would like to thank you for your dedication toward fundraising for the Heart Investigative Unit at the new Niagara Health System’s St. Catharines site. Hope you are enjoying your ride... wishing you all the best as you complete your trip around Lake Ontario.

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And they’re off… currently, 17 Tour Du Lac riders are making their way around Lake Ontario on day 3 of their 7-day, 940 km cycling adventure. This group of cycling enthusiasts are riding with a specific goal in mind – to raise funds and awareness for the Heart Investigation Unit at the new Niagara Health System Healthcare Complex opening to patients March 24, 2013.We would like to wish all riders a safe cycling journey and thank all supporters for their kind generosity.
NHS Foundation
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The group gathered early this morning to board the 0715 Wolfe Islander III ferry from Kingston to Wolfe Island.

Bernie and the Jackrabbits

Jo checking today's routing

Larry Shapley

Tom and Larry

Upper Deck

Wolfe Island Shoreline

Ferry Landing

Ian

Barry, Dan

Vern

Daily Read

The riders will have a short 15 minute cycle across Wolfe Island and then board Horne’s Ferry. Then it’s a 10 minute ferry ride across the St.Lawrence River to a pretty and historical little village called Cape Vincent when they will clear customs and immigration and start the US portion of their journey.