TRAINING SESSION JUNE 24TH

A second training session was held for the day riders and the around the lakers on a beautiful Sunday morning on June 24.  Arriving at the Millwards at 0800 were Bruce Ross, Cathy Henry, Tom Kent, Nicola Bradshaw, Cleo Kuijer, Mirella Innocentin, Terry Hunter, Andrew Marshall, John Lehnen, Ziggy Krueger.   Two groups were formed.  Ian led the day riders and Barry the around the lakers.  Everyone returned some 90 minutes (give or take) later where they enjoyed some cool drinks and a breakfast.

Bruce Ross, who rode around the lake last year, spoke about cycling safety, maintenance, rules of the road, hand signals, medical emergencies, rain and the like.  Everyone listened very intently to what he had to say, asked questions and gave commentary.  Bruce's experience and knowledge of cycling is top-notch.  We are fortunate to have him on Day 1 and Day 7 this year.  Thank you, Bruce.

BRuce

Nicola & Tom

Terry

Ziggy

Mirella, Cleo & Ian

John, Nicola, Tom, Andrew & Cathy

Ian & Cathy

Barry

As the writer is posting  this blog, we are approximately 13 days and 18 hours away from the start of the TOUR DU LAC on July 8th.  We know we have a super team of riders and look forward to having a safe and memorable adventure ahead of us.

Let us be mindful of our fellow cyclists and our cause, the NIAGARA HEART INVESTIGATIVE UNIT.  So keep cycling and keep those pledges coming.  It will be appreciated by all those who will benefit from this critical service.

As a provision of our insurance policy, it is necessary for all riders to have attended a training session.  In the event a rider has been unable to attend either session, then they will be contacted by Ian in the near future to make alternate arrangements.

JUNE 10TH TRAINING RIDE FOR AROUND THE LAKERS

ON A BEAUTIFUL JUNE 10TH SUNDAY MORNING, A GROUP OF THE AROUND THE LAKERS MET AT BARRY AND CAROL'S FOR THE FIRST OF THE TRAINING RIDES.

ARRIVING AT 0800 WERE BILL STONEMAN, LARRY SHAPLEY, TOM NAPPER, DOUG MACDONALD, ANDREW MARSHALL, LARRY BOGGIO, DON STODDART, JOHN LEHNEN, JAKE BAKKER, DAN TOPPARI, BARRY MILLWARD & IAN FORBES

IAN AND BARRY WELCOMED THE GROUP AND IAN EXPLAINED THE DETAILS OF TODAY'S RIDE.  CAROL WAS ON HAND TO HAVE THE RIDERS SIGN THEIR WAIVERS AND COLLECT REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR THE RIDE.

TOP:  DON, LARRY & JAKE

BOTTOM:  ANDREW & BILL

GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR THE TRAINING RIDE

IAN PLANED A 62 K RIDE TO BROCK MONUMENT AND BACK, TRACING PART OF THE ROUTE THAT THE RIDERS WILL BE CYCLING HOME ON DAY 7.

ALL CYCLISTS ON TODAY'S RIDE ARE MORE THAN READY FOR OUR 7 DAY ADVENTURE AND WE FELT A TEAM SPIRIT.

UPON THE CYCLISTS RETURN TO THE MILLWARDS, CAROL PREPARED A BREAKFAST FOR THE GUYS.

ANDREW & LARRY

(Larry cycled in from Port Colborne and back today in addition to the 62k ride)

DOUG

JOHN

LARRY

TOP: TOM, JAKE & LARRY

BOTTOM:  TAKING A BREAK

THE NEXT TRAINING RIDE IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 24TH AND A MEETING FOR OUR SAG WAGON DRIVERS IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 18TH.

TOUR DU LAC - INFORMATION NIGHT - APRIL 30TH

A TOUR DU LAC II Information Night was held at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club on Monday evening, April 30th.  Approximately 25 riders and potential riders attended to hear Ian speak about all aspects of the ride.  It was a great opportunity to meet and greet the cyclists and committee members.  We will be providing you additional information about scheduled practice rides in the near future.  Also, Ian rides every Sunday morning with the Runner's Edge Group.  Please feel free to join the group when you can.

Visit www.rotarytourdulac.ca  or contact one of the following for more information:

Ian Forbes                       ibbbbs@gmail.com
Barry or Carol Millward      millward@vaxxine.com

TORONTO BIKE SHOW - MARCH 4TH

On Sunday, March 4th, Ian and Barry went to the Toronto Bike Show to promote cycling in Niagara as well as the Tour du Lac.   Ziggy, our official Tour Du Lac nurse, stopped by for a chat.

WE ARE LIVE AND READY FOR REGISTRATION

We are now up and live for registration for this year's Rotary Tour du Lac cycling adventure fundraiser for the Heart Investigation Unit at the new NHS Healthcare Complex. Visit www.rotarytourdulac.ca for further details as to how you can be part of an incredibly exciting cycling adventure.

For logistical reasons, space on the full, around the lake adventure ride, will be limited to the first 25 riders registered. We will be able to accommodate an additional 25 "one day" riders on the first day, Sunday July 8th and on the last day Saturday July 14, also on a first come basis! Registration and all fundraising are done through the link to the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation found on www.rotarytourdulac.ca .

Maps of each ride segment are available through links on the website www.rotarytourdulac.ca   To see the route maps for the one day rides go to the Route and Itinerary tab and click on the highlighted numbers 25, 38, 50, and 100. For the daily routes around the lake either click on the place names on the graphic of the lake on our home page or on the headings on the itinerary page.

TOUR DU LAC II - JULY 8TH TO JULY 14TH, 2012

Our web-site is going live for registration within the next few days.  

We are limiting this year's ride to 25 around the lakers and we have an email blitz ready to go out to over 50 cyclists who have shown an interest in this year's ride.  Registration will be on a first come first served basis.  We also hope to register 25 day riders on Day 1 and 25 day riders of Day 7 of this year's ride.

We invite you to visit our website www.rotarytourdulac.ca to experience the changes, or look into the blog's archives to re-live last year's ride.

Click on the map or the itinerary to see the tentative map routes. Explanations as to how to upload will be forthcoming closer to the ride dates.

We had a great time last year and this year looks like it will only get better. Thanks for checking out our blog and for your part in helping a great cause and contribution.

TOUR DU LAC II

 TOUR DU LAC II IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 8-14, 2012


TO RE-LIVE LAST YEAR'S RIDE, CHECK THE BLOGS FOR 2011.  STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

TOUR DU LAC 2011 - DAY 7

Thank you from Webster, N.Y. Rotary

On behalf of Anthony Funeral Chapel and the Webster Rotary I would like to thank you and everyone that donated sports equipment to the Troops.  Your donations really are greatly appreciated.  We had 41 boxes of baseballs, bats, softballs, mitts, frisbees etc.  As well as 24 sets of golf clubs and bags, numerous drivers, tennis racquets, rollerblades  basketballs, volleyballs which filled the back of my truck. Thanks (Bruce)  for bringing these down to Webster.

Also thank you very much for the Tour Du Lac jersey.  I will wear it proudly. 

The club members are still talking about what a great time we had hosting all the Tour participants.  They all had a great time.  Make sure to keep us on your agenda next year. 

Sincerely, 

Rich Comins

Webster Rotary

"FROM MY HEART TO YOURS"

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tour du Lac cycling team for having me as their "Sag Wagon" driver, or as I now see it, their "Happy to See Me" driver. LOL!!!
I volunteered to drive for the group cycling around Lake Ontario not knowing what to expect, and I must say,..... I have met a lot of wonderful people and I learned a lot of new things throughout this experience.  A special thank you to the Rotary Clubs who helped us along the way.  Many thanks to Carol, for the daily phone calls.  Also, I would like to say thank you to Ziggy.......you are an awesome roommate, and to Bruce, for your kind words everyday.
Many thanks to all, Joanne Maxwell

TOUR DU LAC RIDES FROM THE HEART

Posted by the Niagara Health System Foundation

http://www.itsourtimecampaign.com/TourDuLac.html

ZIGGY'S PHOTOS & OTHER COMMENTS

To see Ziggy's photos, please go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tourdulac/?saved=1


Thank you, Jim Kyle from Century Vallen, for the squincher and sunscreen!
Ziggy
*******

Your ride this week means that others don’t have to drive miles to receive the heart care they need.

Ride proud and strong.  We are all routing for you.

Your friends at Rotary South.

*********

  I'm still struggling for the right words to describe what we did last week.  The beauty of Lake Ontario's surrounding lands is magnificent, and can only be truly appreciated in the way we did.  The physical challenge, with the heat and all, especially the 13 hills out of Oswego, was tough, but I was surprised by how well my body held up.  The ride helps us all realize what gifts we possess, in terms of health, the natural beauty of our land, and the sort of friendship that develops from having to rely on each other. I get the feeling of connection with the spirit that is the essence of life.  Fulfilling in so many ways.

I exceeded my fundraising goal, with more cheques trickling in.  The Project will raise at least $22,000.00 for the new hospital.  A great big thank-you to all of those who donated.
Thanks again.  Dan

   

CONGRATULATIONS - COMMENTS - TOUR DU LAC

Greetings,
Ian, what an incredible experience for everyone. As the week and the heat progressed we all were thinking of you and sending thoughts of encouragement.
We would love to have you come and share your experiences with the members ...this is the stuff of great memories and I for one am really excited to hear all about it.  Glad you are home, safe and wow what an accomplishment!
Talk to you soon.
Sheila (Bristo) President Rotary Club St. Catharines South
*******
Dear Friends,

I would like to sincerely say 'thank you' to all who have supported, hosted, sponsored and pledged to this worthy cause.

I also want everyone to know how much I enjoyed this experience;  from planning a cycling trip with Ian around the lake this summer, the inception and birth of the "Tour Du Lac", our weekly committee meetings, getting to know and working with our committee members and sponsors, and then the cyclists and the ride itself.

I will treasure our accomplishments, friendships and memories forever. 

Thank you for the ride of my life, Barry

 *******

Hi Everyone

Hope all the tender bits are all better now!  It was a pleasure to have met all of you.  I learned something new from everyone and will cherish the memories of our road trip.

Today I rode my horse for about an hour, went for a 26km short bike ride and kayaked this evening for about an hour.  Yeee ha!  So sad reality is back and back to work starting tomorrow.

Looking forward to our next adventure!  

Yours in Health

Ziggy
*******
Hi Folks... first, GREAT RIDE! We should all be pleased with the effort of conditioning, fund raising, persistence, presence of mind in many safety situations and of course in the ensuing result... a safe ride around the lake, lots of memories of many types, and new friends (among us and our hosts along the way). 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

*******

Dear Bruce:  It was our pleasure and honor to host you, Jake and Barry!  What a blessing to have met you gentlemen and to share in the excitement of your journey!  I read through the entire blog last evening as you've been on our minds since we met and we were so glad to see your triumphant return to St. Catharines!  We are thrilled to share in a small portion of the event.  I'm attaching a photo of you three handsome gents that you may share with the others or add to the blog! 
Fondly, Lori & Jim (Lytle) (Hosts - Webster, NY)





Jake, Barry & Bruce



*******

Hello to all,

I enjoyed the ride and the company.  I am up for any other trips so keep me informed.  Terry  H.

*****

Hi Everyone,

 I wanted to give you all a Sincere Congrats for completing this ride, I have learned so much over the past week about the power of human spirit and the strength of people. You all have been a great motivation for myself, even though I have not struggled through any major physical adversity, I have gone though a number of mental struggles and riding with all you great people has taught me a lot of great things. I want to thank you all again for making this a great trip, and I hope we will all see each other on the road again next year!!!! 

Sincere Regards, 

Shaun.

*****

Huge CONGRATULATIONS to the 9 riders who trekked the 7 days and some 
940 miles !!! BRAVO !!!  Good job to the rest of us weekend warriors 
as well.  Anna and Emilio Raimondo
*****
All, Congratulations on the Great Ride.  It was a pleasure hosting all of you in Webster on Thursday night. Thanks for attending our Rotary meeting and getting to meet everyone.  Everyone enjoyed your stay and are happy that you arrived home safely.  Please feel free to stop down and join us another time.    

Sincerely,

 Rich Comins

President Webster Rotary

*******

We followed the whole trip and Barry you are a trouper.....Congratulations from Allen and Lise Overy

*****

What an incredible journey for all involved and at the same time raising awareness and money for the new Heart Investigation Unit. Given the heat, a lot of hard work but a huge success. Great time and lots of memories. Congratulations. Mike Haines & Liz Pearson

*******

Fellow bikers. 

I still can't believe that we did what we did, and survived.  It seems like it was all a dream.  I'm definitely in for any future rides.  Cycling is the only way to travel, longer distances included.  Despite the heat, the cycling was comfortable.  Thanks to the experience of those who had much to teach me, I changed my cycling style to a higher cadance, and less leg strength, which was a lot easier on my knees.  The knees are still recovering, so I'll stay off my bike for a while.

Best of all, was the friendship that developed over the course of the week.  We became quite aware of each other's habits, humour, and history.  We all shared a sense of happiness and fulfillment in what we were doing.

Cheers! Dan Toppari

DAY 7 - AN ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER - THE HOMECOMING

 (Click or double click on images to make them larger) - Additional pictures yet to be posted.

Saturday, July 23, 2011, our riders left Lockport at 0800. They were joined by Klaus Reimers (a full Day Rider) and rode approximately 55k to the Rainbow Bridge where they were given the "good to go" by Canada Customs.  Ed Telenko, was waiting for them and was the first to welcome them back to Canada.

Arrival in Canada

On their way to Christ Church

The riders turned right and cycled to Christ Church where they met our other day riders.  Anna and Emilio Raimondo, Shy Amlani, Matt Taylor, Carol Millward, Katherine D'Amico, Sharon Abbey and Doug Geddes (our support rider).

It was a wonderful reunion.  Then all riders started their hot ride home.

Dr. Shy Amlani, Anna and Dr. Emilio Raimondo
Lakeshore Cardiology



Anna, Sharon, Katherine, Carol







Doug& Matt

Good to see you.

Good to see you too

And another good to see you

Getting ready for the final ride home





Wait, one more hug

Matt and Jake are off to St. Catharines

Ziggy leaving Christ Church

Ziggy, I have never been so proud of anyone as I am right now for you.

It must have been so bittersweet losing your family members this past month

from exactly what you were riding for . They were with you in spirit, the sun upon

your face and the wind at your back . Congratulations for a job well done girl !

Sharon Blakley

 The riders cycled down River Road through Queenston, St. David's and then arrived at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club where they were met by many family and friends.  Cycling into the Golf Club parking lot was exhilarating and emotional.  The pictures say it all!

Cyclying to St. Catharines

Ian leading the way

Almost there



Bring it home

Arrival



Bruce

A happy Ian

Welcome home Shaun

Shy, Jo (our driver) and Bruce

A happy Barry

Dan, Katherine, Jake

Emilio and Anna



Left to right:  Jo, Shaun, Jake, Shy, Sharon, Ziggy, Matt, Anna, Emilio, Terry C. Klaus, Carol, Barry, Katherine, Dan, Ian, Terry H. Bruce




Sitting:  Jake, Shaun, Jo, Carol, Katherine
Standing: Shy, Sharon, Ziggy, Matt, Anna, Emilio, Terry C. Klaus, Barry, Dan, Ian Terry H., Bruce




From left to right:  Jo, Shaun, Jake, Shy, Sharon, Ziggy, Matt, Anna, Emilio, TerryC., Klaus, Carol, Barry, Katherine, Ian, Terry H., Bruce



All can attest that it was getting pretty hot on the asphalt parking lot, so all were invited for food and refreshments inside the club.  A beautiful Tour du Lac cake was cut to congratulate all the riders and thank Rotary, May Court, Performance Cars and all our sponsors for their support. 

The reception



The Take it to Heart - Tour du Lac Cake



Ian (representing Rotary) Melody (May Court) and Shaun (PerformanceCars)
cutting the cake.

Please feel free to send your congratulations, comments or photos (Jpg) to millward@vaxxine.com and I will gladly post them for you. 

THE TOUR DU LAC COMMITTEE

Chairman - Ian Forbes

Barry Millward

Carol Millward

Bruce Ross

Dan Toppari

Shaun Bos

Matt Taylor

Jim Howes

Ed Telenko

Cathy Henry

Lisa Raham

Jim Hooper

John Teibert, Ex officio

Melody Cunningham, Ex officio