Cycling: Ride for Karen - Record Setting Fundraiser

Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 04:09 AM

Brian Frank and Peter Donato enjoying a moment after the 160km ride...in front of our new tent of course!

Race Director Report

On behalf on my brother Kris and myself, I wanted to thank all of you for making the
6th annual Ride for Karen such a truly great success. In spite of ominous weather we
had a great turnout with hundreds of cyclists braving wet weather to make a
difference in the lives of children battling cancer. Supported by a "sea of
volunteers, including our partners at Scotiabank, it felt like we were treated to
true "concierge service" on the road. We ate well, drank well and road well together
as a group, culminating in a great feast and celebration at our post ride BBQ.

As I said at the start of the event, "it is not easy having cancer" and I was very
pleased that all of our riders found yesterday's adversity fitting for what we were
trying to accomplish. And accomplish we did as a team, raising more than $240,000.

If you enjoyed the event please go to our website and provide a brief comment on
your Ride for Karen experience. This will enable potential new riders to gain an
impartial perspective on the event for next year. To provide a comment, please click
on the link that says "Rider Comments" and you will be taken to the comments page
which has a link at the top to post a comment.

If you have any cheques / or cash that has not been submitted, please send the funds
with a pledge sheet (s) to the following address:

Ride for Karen
34 Peter Street
Markham, Ontario
L3P 2A6

We will let you know when this year's photos of the ride are online. We were very
fortunate to have 3 professional photographers shooting the ride, and from the
samples I have seen, I believe you will be pleased. Over the coming months we will
announce details surrounding the final financial numbers from the event as well as
our date for next year's Ride for Karen.

Thanks again for your wonderful support for children battling cancer.

Your truly

Kirk & Kris Tobias


Event Update - Race Report

(okay, it's not exactly a race...)


What can I say, it's been a great meeting....

I actually lived in residence with Kris in University, we weren't friends but fellow athletes who belonged to the same College (Bethune) - I ran into Kris years later and we connected the dots, so I offered to help their event by supplying race kits and doing some free word-of-mouth marketing. At the same time, I was just starting to ride on my friend's borrowed road bike, which I eventually purchased. So I thought, maybe I can do this...

My first-ever "bike ride" en masse was the 2006 Ride for Karen, and it came after a serious water-skiing accident the month prior - torn hamstring. I was determined to ride this distance, which would be a record-breaker for me. That summer, on July 1st in fact, I decided to COMMIT to an Ironman, so I had to start biking in earnest.

The day was gorgeous, and I met a bunch of friends from running who were into this sort of thing - I of course went way too hard in the beginning, tried to move up from the 30km to the 35km group after the first 25 km's, and ended up getting dropped by the original 30km group around 130 km...

2007

Bostered by alot more cycling, including some Toronto-Oshawa and Toronto-Stratford rides, and a morning with the Donut Ride, I figured I'm in much better shape, plus I learned how to clean a bike, that definitely makes you go faster...(:

Donut Ride you say?

http://www.mynextrace.com/module-v4bJournal-detail-id-107.htm

Despite the gloomy weather, a great turn out was in store on the morning, but we knew what was ahead of us. Kirk Tobias gave an inspirational speech to everyone, as he commented that "you'll have a tough time out there but it won't be nearly as difficult as fighting cancer", so I knew I could keep up with the 35km lead pack after these inspiring words.

It was a super ride for the first 45 kilometres, I felt smart in my light attire, no gloves for me thanks, and just a light-weight long-sleeve shirt under my Bentley Coaching bike jersey - some of these guys were dressed for rough weather, with wind-jackets, rain gear, those fancy shoe covers for the bike shoes and pedals - wimps I thought, noticing a few other "tough guys" dressed like myself.

I discovered that my peeing on the side of the road skills were not so worthy, and needed some help from a Marshall to catch the pack after the first stop! Wow, talk about a competitive bunch! Transition takes on a whole new meaning on the side of the road...you don't see this on the Tour de France OLN coverage.

Then the rain started, as we neared the first Feed Zone at 65 km, and I mean FEED ZONE - we scarfed down bagels, bananas, cookies, orange slices, water and gatorade, faster than a pack of hungry women at a Winner's Show Sale. We were mostly men, maybe 3 gals out of 80 in the front, the rain was pouring, and it was tough to get back on the bike after standing around for 10-15 minutes. Cats and dogs folks, it was nuts.

Before you know it, we're back up to full speed, water is whipping into my face, both from the rain and the brakes in front of me, now I know why most riders here were wearing sun-glasses despite it being a cloudy day...rats. Now I was really cold, and jealously eyeing the guys with the thick gloves, arm warmers, long tights, caps under their helmets, the rain jackets that they skilfully put on as they bombed along in the tightly packed "peleton". I was nervous eating a Clif Bar while watching the wheel ahead of me, and some of these guys are putting on a strip show...

Now I think I wanted to actually start crying....

My hands were FREEZING, arms numb, lips blue and we're not even 1/2 way, imagine what we'll be like in another 40-50 km. Just as I was pondering quitting, I remember what Kris Tobia said, and I bit my lip and soldiered on, the group was quite, and of course eventually the rain subsided, the roads dried up, and we passed the half-way mark. I kinda expected a little ceremony here, maybe a few bottles of champagne mixed with e-load....

Then the gang decided to open it up after the 2nd pee break, in Holland Marsh - and that was it for me. I picked up 7-8 guys who also decided not to follow the Tour de Barrie, and we cruised along at 35km and counted down the km's (20) to the final FEED ZONE - this is where I made the fatal arror upon approaching a red light, to whip out my Palm (which was smartly wrapped up in a baggie) and check messages.

Now I’ve lost the second group, and am all alone….rats.

That wasn’t so bad…

Turning into the FEED ZONE parking lot – last of the 35km group, with most of the guys scarfing down food, and I whip along the parked cars and screech up to the path, only to mis-judge my speed upon arrival (I really was hungry) and embarrassingly roll over one of those concrete curbs that are placed to stop cars from going further than intended...much to the amusement of the on-lookers (sorry Gerry, I am sure you felt this as I rode your former Cervelo over this, luckily nothing appears bent or warped)!

Another record scarf-fest, don't you just love cycling, you can eat and work out! I am READY for phase 3 of the ride, so much so that I am pretty much leading the way out onto the main rode and up the big hill that starts us on our way. I feel really good, and am confident that I can hang on for the last 40 or so kilometers, and I know it will get FAST when we head west with the wind and hit some downhills.

But…

45 – 50 kilometers - that's faster than most drivers in the city! Wow, the thrill of speed when your muscles say no but the heart and mind says YES! YES!

After 140 into the ride…ah, no, not for me, thanks, but it was fun trying to hang on, thanks to the Marshall for really working with me to keep up, I appreciate that, it was a truly fun 10km sprint I must say...

Now I’ve lost the group again and am all alone….rats.

At least the “kid” from Newmarket with the Tri-Bars is on the side of the road, serves you right for riding like such a goof in the beginning. There is always one in the crowd...

Now I enjoy my final 20 km’s, and stop along to way to pick up items that fall off after the train tracks (a little secret, don’t tell anyone)….

The end is near, and it’s actually 162 km’s, I WANT MY MONEY BACK – the course is too long! More food awaits, ah, the Roman Army must have lived like this.

Same time next year, much to improve on…


PD