#therideto

This past weekend I participated in something so much bigger than myself. And in so many ways I am at a loss for words trying to explain all the emotions that came with it.

I did something I almost never imagined I could. I cycled for over 200km from Toronto to Niagara Falls in order to raise funds and awareness for cancer research at princess market hospital. I understand many have opinions on the politics on donating to certain causes but right now let’s just forget about that.

Cancer is scary, powerful, heart-wrenching and much more. It has been a disease plaguing so many, including a great deal of my family. When you and especially someone you love suffers you often feel useless, powerless and emotional beyond understanding. But this weekend I pushed through various aches and pains to do something that I can dedicate to all those fighting, surviving, battling and lost to cancer. Sure there’s all the politics but at least I was doing something. In the beginning I was afraid of never finish. I mean the second day after a 108km ride, getting back on that bike I said “you have gotta be fucking kidding me….” I hurt, and I hurt bad. But all I could think about is the pain my mother and my grandpa had and are going through and it just seemed my pain wasn’t comparable. So I pushed through and accomplish another 110km.

Crossing that finish line was one the the best feelings I may have for the rest of my life. I am honoured to have had such an experience of emotions including tears, some horrible aches and pains, that “runners high” people always talk about and extraordinary accomplishment.

I couldn’t have done it without the amazing team I was able to join this year Jessica’s Crew. A close family to my heart introduced me to a man who developed the team with his daughter Jessica. Jessica sadly lost her battle to leukaemia but the love and courage she had holds strong today within the amazing people I met over the weekend.