TOUR DU LAC 2012 ITINERARY

IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!

 ALL RIDERS SHOULD BE AT THE ST. CATHARINES GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB BY NO LATER THAN 0710 ON SUNDAY JULY 8TH WITH THEIR BIKES AND WEARING THEIR TOUR DU LAC JERSEYS.

Here's the itinerary for all 7 days along with map links so you can follow the riders on their adventure.         

Hint: try opening map links and use the plus/minus tool to blow up map to show great detail. Try grabbing the street view symbol by clicking on it, holding onto it by not releasing the left mouse button and dragging it over the actual route. The route lines should turn blue and you can then actually see what we will see! You’ll have to rotate your view by grabbing the compass and spinning the view but play with it and enjoy!

Day One   Sunday  July 8   Map link  http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/104009533/

Start 7:30 a.m.

• Arrive at start no later than 7:10 a.m.
• Start at St. Catharines Golf and Country parking lot  main entrance
• Ride with day riders and at each of three “turn arounds” we say thanks
• Contiunue on route with lunch stop at   Mall
• Continue to University of Toronto Scarborough Campus
• Arrive
• Contact info is through your rider or see general contact list – no “hotel” numbers

Day Two    Monday  July 9   Map link  - divided in two parts today only due to technical glitch

Part one http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/104429275/

Part two http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/104437579/

Start 8:30 a.m.     

• Short day but a really nice scenic ride along the Waterfront Trail
• Ontario Waterfront Trail link:
• Today’s ride not meant to be fast even for “A” riders; leave that to Tuesday and Wednesday!
• Day will start with a  7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting at lounge at U of T residence
• Review day one ride re safety, sag wagon support, riding styles, group composition
• Talk about groups for today, sag wagon support, some challenges for today
• Lunch probable at Bowmanville cluster of “Fast Food” restaurants – see map link
• Early arrival  3:00 – 3:30 and check in at Best Western Cobourg   Phone: 905/372-2105
• http://bestwesternontario.com/hotels/best-western-plus-cobourg-inn-and-convention-centre
• Evening near Lake, Laundry day for most

Day Three    Tuesday July 10    Cobourg to Kingston     

Map Link   http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/87605591/

Start at 7:00 a.m.  

• Three Breakfast locations by “team” very close to hotel
• Leave hotel by 7:00; leave breakfast location by team by 7:30 approx
• Each team to follow own timing schedule/ safe speed
• Bloomfield bike shop or restaurants may be reconnect points but Final Destination at Kingston Sheraton Four Points may be the first reconnect!
• http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=749 

·       Hotel contact    Phone: (613) 544-4434

• Many had dinner at the Amadeus Restaurant http://www.amadeuscafe.ca/ near hotel
• Laundry available in hotel

Day Four    Wednesday July 11    Kingston to Oswego    

Map Link http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/63569352/

            Early start at 6:30         proceed to Tim Horton’s for Breakfast (couple of other places nearby)

• Must be on Wolfe Island Ferry at 7:05 for 7:15 departure; 20 minute ride; customs could be slower!
• 11 kms across Wolfe Island – no rush as we can’t make the first ferry off the island!
• Horne’s Ferry is small so we will encourage our Sag Wagon drivers to go ahead of us to reserve three vehicle spaces on the ferry
• Once off the Ferry three teams/groups of riders to procede on a “no drop” basis to Sackett’s Harbor pavilion. The A team can help set out the lunch so that it’s ready for the B and C groups!
• Sackett’s Harbor was the largest U.S. Naval center on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812
• After lunch the three teams can go at their own pace to the hotel in Oswego
• We are staying at Quality Inn & Suites Riverfront Hotel in Oswego Phone: (315) 343-1600
• There is a really good Laundry less than 100 metres from the hotel

Day Five    Thursday July 12      Oswego to Webster 

            Map link http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/64098316/

• Full Breakfast in the hotel in the morning
• Unless an extremely hot day forecast, probable 8:00 a.m. departure from hotel so 7:20 breakfast
• We arrived too early last year!
• Hilly stage in the morning with a scenic hilly then very flat finish in the afternoon
• Lunch at a nice restaurant in Sodus Point
• We will be attending a Rotary meeting in Webster this evening, great fun last year
• We will be partially hosted by Rotarians from the Webster club and partially staying at the    Super 8 in Webster   Phone: 1-585-671-6990

Day Six   Friday July 13     Webster to Lockport

Map Link http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/64072186/

• Little different than last year as we had oppressive heat and left a little early! Probable departure around 8:00 a.m.
• Riding through Rochester in mostly park settings on pathways but some streets involved
• A day of cautious riding especially in the first few hours!
• This year our route will be focused more on route 31 than on the canal pathways so as to minimize the stone dust paths but not eliminate them!
• Friday evening we will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Lockport at the Odd Fellows and Rebecca Pavilion. This will be a Rotary meeting, picnic style and was fun last year. A few of us may be home hosted but most will be staying at a local hotel.  Comfort Inn, 551 South Transit Street, Lockport, NY  Phone: (716) 434-4411
• http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-lockport-new_york-NY098

Day Seven   Saturday July 14    Lockport to St. Catharines Golf and Country Club

            Map Link:  http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/104006413/

• Probable 8:30 departure from the Odd fellows Pavilion as many bikes will be stored safely there
• Scenic routing planned for today on both sides of the river
• Crossing at Queenston Lewiston Bridge at approximately 12 noon possibly 12:30 through customs
• Meet with the “Day Seven One Day Riders” at approximately 12:30
• Plan for a 2 hour to 2 ½ hour  ride to the Golf Club via NOTL for a 3:00 arrival and 3:30 lunch reception
• Showers and club facilities available
• Family invited to join riders, sponsors and hospital personnel for a “Cheque” presentation!
• Probale 5:30 dispersal

NIAGARA THIS WEEK JULY 3, 2012

A HEART FELT RIDE

Cyclists prepare for 940-km trek for new specialty lab

A heart-felt ride. Tour du Lac riders celebrate their return to St. Catharines in last year’s ride. Riders will once again travel nearly 1,000 kilometres in the second annual event in July. Supplied photo

Dan Toppari knows first-hand how badly Niagara needs a dedicated heart specialty lab.
Last year, the St. Catharines lawyer’s mom suffered a heart attack. Because Niagara is the only major region in Ontario without its own cardiac catheterization lab — a new heart investigative unit is under construction at the new Niagara Health System hospital being built in west St. Catharines — she ended up languishing in the emergency ward of Greater Niagara General Hospital in Niagara Falls for a week.
“It was kind of crazy,” he said. “If the lab had been open in St. Catharines she would have been there in 10 minutes. It was pretty stressful.”
In the wake of her heart attack, doctors discovered Toppari’s mom suffered some permanent damage to the heart muscle from oxygen being cut off. “It (damaged muscle) never comes back,” said Toppari. “She gets exhausted easily now.”
That experience has only made Toppari even more determined to raise money for the much-need heart lab, which will offer services such as life-saving cardiac catheterization for people suffering serious blockages of their heart arteries. For the second year in a row, he’s helping to organize the Rotary Tour Du Lac, a marathon bicycle tour all the way around Lake Ontario.
It’s all part of efforts for the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South and the May Court Club of St. Catharines to raise $750,000 toward the new heart centre. The partners, who in this year’s ride are joined by the Performance Group of automotive dealerships, have already raised upwards of $600,000 through last year’s ride and other events such as galas. At least 17 riders with varied backgrounds have already signed up for this year’s 940-kilometre ride, which will run over seven days from July 8 to 14, and start and end in St. Catharines.
Toppari also lost an uncle who lived with his family for years to a heart attack, at just 54 years old. “He was more like an older brother to me than an uncle,” he said.
Joining the ride again will be co-organizer Ian Forbes of St. Catharines, who was rushed to Hamilton several years for an emergency procedure after experiencing extreme chest pain and shortness of breath. Doctors found his left coronary artery was 95 per cent blocked, but fixed the problem with a catheterization procedure. Forbes has since become an avid cyclist, taking part in long-distance bike tours in France, Germany and the Mediterranean.
Toppari said at least a half dozen firefighters, whose job requires fitness, are also joining the trek for which riders have been doing training runs.
“These firefighters are very fast,” he said. “They’re hard to keep up with. This is a real incentive: it keeps me training.”
Hopefully for the riders, this year’s event will have more forgiving weather. Just as they departed on their tour last year, temperatures soared to record highs, hitting temperatures of 45 C as public health authorities issued severe heat warnings.
The organizers are hoping for a large turnout of people to take in short rides alongside the tour riders on the first day of the tour, and on the last day as they pull back into St. Catharines in the ‘bring it home’ ride.
There will be several jumping off or joining points to match rider skills or availability.
People can make pledges for the riders online through the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation’s website, available through the Tour du Lac website at www.rotarytourdulac.ca/
For more information, e-mail Forbes at ibbbbs@gmail.com.

ST. CATHARINES STANDARD JUNE 28, 2012

Vern Dell, Barry Millward and Ian Forbes

ST. CATHARINES - 

Heart help close to home is close to Ian Forbes’ heart.

He’ll be putting his ticker to good use next month when he pedals around Lake Ontario to raise money for the Niagara Health System’s heart investigation unit, planned for the new Fourth Ave. hospital site.

The 62-year-old St. Catharines man is one of 17 cyclists who will spend seven days riding 940 kilometres during the second annual Tour du Lac from July 8-14.

“It’s a challenge,” said Forbes, who completed the ride last year. “The distance isn’t the worst of it. It’s the elements you run into, like heat and rain.”

Forbes listened to the warning signs when his heart was in trouble four years ago.

On the brink of a heart attack, he sought care at Hamilton General Hospital.

Not everyone has that kind of time.

“I’m a lucky guy,” he said. “A lot of people don’t get the chance to survive the ride to Hamilton.”

That’s why he believes the heart investigation unit is so important to this community.

“Heart care needs to be close to home,” he said.

The planned 7,000-square-foot heart investigation unit will provide cardiac catheterization services, a procedure used to investigate chest pain.

Forbes credits cycling with putting him on the road to recovery after his heart surgery.

He said it saved his life.

“Riding not only fixed the physical, there’s a spiritual side to it,” he said.

The Tour du Lac is organized by the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South, the May Court Club of St. Catharines and PerformanceCars. Last year’s event raised more than $22,000 and this year riders hope to collect $35,000.

Barry Millward, 68, also credits his bicycle with changing his life, and his health.

He started riding as a way to get active and lose weight. In recent years, he’s lost 65 pounds and brought his blood pressure down so much, he stopped needing medication.

“Biking has been the gift for me to get heart healthy,” he said. “I was told if I didn’t do something, I’d have a lot of medical conditions. It was a wake-up.”

Millward, the oldest rider on this year’s tour, was one of nine riders who completed the trip last year.

Bruce Ross also completed last year’s ride, but it wasn’t his longest. He’s cycled from British Columbia to Texas.

Ross said the trip around the lake was spectacular with many different types of scenery and terrain.

“It’s a really, really tough ride,” he said.

Meeting people along the way was one of the highlights, especially in the United States, where riders bunked with members of Rotary Clubs, he said.

This year, Ross will only ride on Day 1 and Day 7 because he’s still recovering from open-heart surgery.

“I’ve had two open-heart surgeries myself,” he said, noting he wants all local residents to have access to a heart investigation centre.

While he won’t be on his bike for the whole journey, he’ll be keeping an eye on riders’ progress online at www.rotarytourdulac.ca, where there will be pictures and daily blogs.

erica.bajer@sunmedia.ca

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