JULY 8, 2012 - TOUR DU LAC DEPARTURE

The cyclists, their families and friends all gathered at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club on a beautiful Sunday morning.  The humidity was gone, the skies were blue and the temperature was very comfortable (finally!!!).  More perfect weather was not possible.

17 "Around the Lakers" were joined by 8 day riders, 4 sag wagon drivers and escort cyclists from Runners Edge to kick off this very exciting journey. (By the way, sag stands for "support and gear")

Cyclists:  Ian Forbes, Barry Millward, Dan Toppari, Jake Bakker, Andrew Marshall, Tom Kent, Tom Napper, Larry Boggio, Ziggy Krueger, Shaun Bos, Vern Dell, Terry Hunter, John Lehnen, Doug MacDonald, Larry Shapley, Don Stoddart, Bill Stoneman.
Day Riders:  Bruce Ross, Carol Millward, Cathy Henry, Mirella Innocentin, Cleo Kuijer, Nina Mendez, Liz Kovacs and Marisa Roselli.
Drivers:  Joanne Maxwell, Bernie Starrs, Tom Schmor and Fred Loucks        

               

Tom Napper

Ian gave a brief talk to all the cyclists about safety and what to expect during Day 1 of this trek.  We posed for pictures, said goodbye to our loved ones and at approximately 0745 we all left the parking lot headed to the new hospital site to reinforce the reason why we are cycling and raising money for the much needed Heart Investigative Unit.

Jake and Terry

Mr. and Mrs. Shaun Bos

Don, Tom, Larry, Jake, Larry, Doug

C'mon Ian, Let's just go

                                                                     Vern and John

Barry & Carol

Cathy

The next stop was Charles Daley Park.  Cathy, Nina, Liz, Carol and Vince (Runners Edge) left the group and headed back home to complete their 25k.

The Drug Reps:  Cleo, Marisa, Nina and Mirella

The group continued on and Cleo, Mirella, Marisa, Bruce and Stacey (Runners Edge) went on as far as Tufford Road before they left the group and headed back to complete their 50k.  Bruce then cycled home to Niagara on the Lake for a total 90k ride.** See additional post - Bruce Ross Blog Thoughts.

Back in St. Catharines, the girls all met for breakfast at the Blue Turtle, exhilarated and thrilled that they were a part of this unique experience.

Vince (Runners Edge), Carol, Cathy, Nina and Liz

While passing through Grimsby, the cyclists were surprised to meet up with Terry Carruthers on route. Terry was  last year's bike mechanic on the ride.  He wanted to meet the riders to wish them well on their journey.  His visit was appreciated by all.

It's now 12:15 and the riders and have stopped for lunch just outside of Mississauga.

Ziggy Scarborough Bluffs

After cycling some 155k today, the cyclists have safely ARRIVED at the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, SCARBOROUGH CAMPUS at 17:15.  The ride was uneventful except for a few flats and a few broken spokes along the way.

All have checked into their rooms, refreshed, and are now at a local restaurant enjoying each other's company and a well deserved dinner.

********
6 Cyclists from Runners' Edge escorted  our 25 and 50k cyclists on the first stage of the ride.  A much appreciated "Thank You" to those cyclists and to Doug Geddie for providing  this support.
www.runnersedge.ca 

*********
PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR COMMENTS OR PHOTOS AT millward@vaxxine.com AND I WILL BE GLAD TO POST THEM FOR YOU.