DAY 5 - EVENING IN WEBSTER

The group was  billeted by members of the Rotary Club of Webster.  Later that evening they all attended the Webster Rotary Thursday night dinner meeting.  Hospitality was abound.  The riders were treated to a wonderful dinner (very comforting after their long, hard day) and Ian was asked to speak about the Tour du Lac; it's inception, it's focus and it's determination to raise funds for the cardiac cath lab at the new hospital.  Ziggy, one of our riders and an occupational nurse, spoke about what this ride meant to her.  In the last three weeks, Ziggy has lost her nephew (26 years old) and her father to cardiac problems.  She told the group that when she signed on for this ride, she had no idea about how close to home this cause would ultimately mean to her.  She said that she has both her father and nephew along with her on this ride and that is what is seeing her through.  One on each shoulder, as she puts it.  Everyone, the riders and their hosts, were thankful for a very heartfelt evening.
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There were so many great moments anyone would be hard-put to name the best... but I am choosing the dinner hosted in Webster by the Rotarians there... and the look on Joanne's face when she realized that ... again... she had won the 50/50 Draw... "Oh My Gaaaaawd" she exclaimed, just like at home! Anyway, that was a moment for me.
Bruce

HI FROM IAN - TOUR DU LAC DAY FROM HELL

We set this day up as a short 109 km day as an easy one but it was nothing but easy. Winds gusting to 40 km per hour and temperatures in excess of 100 degrees! The thermometer at our reception host was 113 degrees and my host says the rooftop temps were 130 today. Hot air blowing right at us and coming off the asphalt. Two of our riders took advantage of the sag wagon for short periods. We all have enough “back and forth mileage credits that we will be riding in excess of the trip around the lake even if we took 50 off but no one wants to do that! Eight bottles of water today along with fluids at meals etc. Revo H2O working well as no issues despite the heat (shameless plug for the Revo H2o that we sell!).

This was the hardest day of riding ever in my short cycling life, including Ventoux and my ride through France and Germany. Everyone seems to have survived but we’ll see who can ride Friday. Temps will drop a little but 131 kms into the wind with heat will be a challenge.

Right now I’m enjoying a Scotch at my host’s home and getting ready to attend a meeting of the Rotary Club of Webster.

Hi to Mary, Tyler, Kelly, Ashley, Fraser, Adrian, and of course Elliott. Miss you all! Thanks to the guys from Bikefit for their greetings and best wishes.

BIKEFIT SAYS HI

We’re all just admiring your tenacity with the EXTREME HEAT today….

Wish you were here in the air conditioned building….

See you when you get back, ride safe and as always “rubber side down!”

PS…Andy attacked and won today!  Yeah….

Thanks,

Rick Rikkerink

DAY 5 - EARLY DEPARTURE FOR WEBSTER

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 Great job everyone, especially you Dad!! (Dan Toppari)
Keep up the great work, everyone is so proud of you!
Stay healthy and motivated, only 2 more days to go!

Love, Melissa Toppari

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ARRIVED SAFELY IN WEBSTER AT 3:30.  Another gruelling afternoon in this relentless heat.
TWO more days to go - 133k tomorrow to Lockport and 88k on Saturday coming home.
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The riders have stopped for lunch at Abe's Waterfront Boathouse Bar & Grill  in Sodus Point, New York.  They are eating inside and taking advantage of the air conditioned dining room.  They have a leisurely 40k to go.  They will be met by the Webster Rotarians at 4:00 o'clock.

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In an effort to cycle as much as possible in the morning, tyring to avoid the mid afternoon heat, the riders left Oswego at 6:30 this morning on their way to Webster, New York, which is just east of Rochester.  They will have a scenic ride through more hills and then the shoreline of Lake Ontario.   Today's route is approximately 109km.  Let's hope it is truly cooler by the lake.

Upon arrival, they will be billeted through the Rotary Club of Webster and attend a Rotary dinner meeting this evening.

We are so proud of the Tour du Lac riders and what they are accomplishing.    If you know of any one who has yet to pledge, or if you wish to make an additional pledge, please visit our web site where you can donate in favour of "ALL RIDERS" or obtain a cheque payable to the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation on their behalf.  Their challenge is gruelling and their cause is worthy.

**Note:   Any of you who are "virtually" out there and wish to send our riders a message of support can do so by emailing your comment to  millward@vaxxine.com and I will gladly post them for you.