Into our third province – already!

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Sue Sohnle

<- Read the previous post: Let the Ninth Day be a Day of Rest….and it will be Good

Hi Folks, posting my daily blog is turning out to be quite the challenge. This is more of a weekly synopsis. So , make a sandwich and get comfortable because we have a lot of ground to cover (pun intended). Or, you may want to read it over a few days…….

Day 10 May 17 Friday

Refreshed and rested from our day off, we cycled from Cranbrook to Sparwood, shuttling back to Fernie to stay the night. We practiced drafting for the first time as a whole team. It is so much easier when you have some flat areas to practice on.

Practising their drafting technique

Highlights of the day were actually when we returned to Fernie for the night. We stayed at Snow Valley Motel and RV, greeted by Janice the manager, who was uber friendly and helpful, and best of all invited us to use the hot tub – Hooray! As introductions were being made, Bill caught whiff of something tantalizing. Janice explained that Friday nights were Rib Night at the local meat shop, already cooked and ready to eat. Guess what dinner was that night? When we finally unwrapped them, we realized they were more suitable for 5 families, rather than 5 individuals. The butcher obviously thought we were very hungry cyclists. These ribs looked like they came from a T-Rex, or at the very least a mutant giant pig. Needless to say we had leftovers. However, we did leave room for ice cream, of course. We had the best of the trip so far from the Happy Cow (they also make good buttertarts). We had a good conversation with owner Dan, originally from Shediac so he and Bill had the east coast in common. As well, we chatted with new residents who had moved from St. Albert just recently. Everyone we meet gets Hillary’s Ride bookmarks to spread the word and start the conversation.

See more photos from day 10

Day 11 May 18 Saturday

Today it was Sparwood to Ft. Macleod. We conquered Crowsnest Pass, the last pass of our BC route, and it didn’t disappoint. We crossed our first provincial border into Alberta, which was recognized with a ceremonial BC flag decal presentation, to put on our helmets. The mountains ended abruptly after the border – the scenery change was night and day.

The Riders roll into Alberta
Bill Werthmann, Sue Sohnle, Terry Fannon and support driver, Al Carlson.

It was also hometown visit week. We met some of our running club friends at the A&W at Frank Slide. They were down for the long weekend for a bike trip and visit. I was so happy to see them! They joined us cycling for part of the morning, until Pincher Creek where they were staying. In fact, a reporter from the Pincher Creek Voice followed us for a while taking pictures, and then did an article on the ride.

We also got an amazing welcome from Bill’s family, who were waiting for us by the Fort MacLeod A&W (I’m starting to see an A&W trend here). Bill spent the night with them , as the rest of us went on to the Bridgeview RV Park in Lethbridge, our home for the next 2 days.

“Go Opa Go!” chanted Bill’s family on the riders arrival in Fort Macleod

See more photos from day 11

Day 12 May 19 Sunday

Today we cycled from Fort Macleod with our Edmonton friends, as well as Bill’s 2 son-in-laws, Peter and Jason. Bill’s clan stayed with us until Taber, which was Jason’s first 100 km ride ever, and then they shuttled back with Katie and Betty jo picking them up. It was so good to ride as a big group – lots of people to chat with, and always someone going your pace. Road construction shook the bejeebies out of us, especially our hands. All three of us have varying degrees of hand numbness and /or weakness that seems to be lingering. It is mostly a problem for Bill, as he needs to use those fingers for playing his guitar – the C and F chords have been a real challenge, so he’s been carefully choosing songs that don’t require them.

We got rain, very short but heavy, just as we were arriving at the RV to make lunch. We were going to eat outside, but instead it turned into “How many soggy cyclists can you fit in an RV? All of them!” It was cozy with 13 of us, and it was the first time we had had guests for lunch, but no one seemed to mind.

We added to our flat tire count today with Laurel having a flat just before the RV park, and Patrick having to put on a whole new tire after carrying it on bike trips for over 25 years. My little boy scout – always be prepared! To me it looked like whitewalls on a Cadillac.

And not to be morbid, but have I mentioned how much road kill we have seen? A coyote, a pheasant, a porcupine, numerous ground squirrels and birds. I hope this is only because they are all running around delirious with spring fever and that the carnage will soon end. I know I’m being naïve.

Dave McCann

The evening was topped off by a fundraiser concert at The Slice, hosted by John Wort Hannam, with guests Dave McCann and Leeroy Stagger. Another stellar night, with representation from Woods Homes, the local charity. Leeroy told a story of how Woods Homes helped him when he was doing some volunteer work with the local Boys and Girls club. One of the youth was contemplating suicide, and the crisis line he called was closed. Leeroy contacted Woods Homes and they knew just what to do to help. What a great example illustrating the importance of resources being in place at a crucial moment. We weren’t sure what the turnout would be on a long weekend, and we were pleasantly surprised that it was standing room only by the end of the night. The Slice is famous for it’s great pizza. Because of the crowd it took a long time to get it as there was one very busy cook, but we knew it was prepared and baked fresh. Yum!

Leeroy Stagger

That was a first of our double header concert run. The next one is in Medicine Hat tomorrow. This means a few late nights in a row…

See more photos from day 12

Day 13 May 20 Monday

We left Lethbridge and shuttled to just past Taber where we ended the previous day. It was a day of goodbyes and contemplating the importance of family and friends in our lives. Bill’s family was heading back to Edmonton and Calgary, as well Patrick and his support van was leaving us. It was so nice to have 2 support vehicles, especially for running errands. But, it’s just the 4 of us now. My friends left early that morning also, goodbyes were the night before.

Pinto MacBean, mascot of Bow Island

I’ve been learning a lot about agriculture in our great province. Did you know that southern Alberta has a thriving bean/legume industry? Terry told us this, but it was reinforced by Pinto MacBean, mascot of Bow Island. This gave us new respect for our turkey chili, some of which was in the freezer. We got a great welcome by a resident who we learned lost her grandson to suicide. She and Bill shared a hug of understanding and remembrance. She recommended Jimmy’s drive in for a mushroom burger, but we decided to be “good” and opted for an RV sandwich instead.

A wind started materializing in the afternoon, and our host for the evening, Piet, came and met us to escort us to his home. This turned out to be on the outskirts of Medicine Hat. We got in just in time for the huge (and I mean huge) potluck, and then was treated to a night of amazing musicians, all local, from seasoned pros to relative newbies. This included Rob Hudec, Ron Mason, Ali Sellin, Miriam Hak, Taking August, Lisa Challinor and Annette ten Cate. The room itself was a delight – “Ye Olde Jar Bar” as they call their garage, is a smorg for the eyes. There is not a square inch of wall or ceiling space that went unused. All visitors sign the overhead door before they leave. Piet and Ina regularly put on house concerts here, in fact they had one the night before – what busy, energetic people! The highlight of the night was that Ali wrote and performed a song for Bill and Hillary, a very beautiful and heartfelt gift.

A BIG thank you to Darla from the Medicine Hat Folk club for organizing, and the charities including the Medicine Hat Youth Action Society. Another successful awareness raiser, and each is so different from the others. Support comes in many forms, all of them welcome.

See more photos from Day 13

Day 14 May 21 Tuesday

Our early morning started with yummy breakfast courtesy of Ina and Piet, our gracious hosts. Piet escorted us to Hwy 1, the TransCanada. Up to this point, we have been travelling the CrowsNest, so I wondered how the traffic would be. It was amazingly quiet for the Tuesday after a long weekend. We thought that the prairies would be a treat after the mountains of BC, but we are being greeted by every cyclist’s nemesis – the dreaded headwind. A 30 km wind was in our faces all day. We crossed the border of Saskatchewan midday, which means we covered Alberta in 72 hours. Wow! We applied our Alberta stickers to our helmets – 2 down, 8 to go. Although the traffic was good, there is lots of big equipment being transported. Cyclists will often call out what is coming up behind them to warn cyclists ahead who may not see them. These are usually cars, other bikes, rollerbladers, etc. I must admit this is the only time I’ve ever had to yell “House!” to a cyclist ahead of me. Also “Space Shuttle!” – okay, that’s not what it was, but that’s what it looked like to me.

Biking2BeTheChange – Kilderic Moroy is cycling across Canada to encourage change in our environmental behaviours

On the road we met Kilderic, originally from France, who is doing a solo ride across Canada. See his website for more on his Biking2BeTheChange initiative. I admire his strength – he is cycling fully loaded, including camping gear on a mountain bike. Best wishes to Deric – I wish I was that strong and young again. He drafted with us for a while, but was doing extra miles that day beyond Maple Creek, so he headed forward.

Piet had called ahead to friends who run Ghostown Blues B&B, where we stayed in Maple Creek and we had all to ourselves. Very cool – the accommodations were made of old cook houses and covered wagons converted to rooms which were beautifully decorated with remnants of the ranching past. The main building was an old church. It was the perfect blend of modern facilities with a rustic pioneer appeal. I highly recommend a visit. Make sure you say hi to Molly, the border collie who will introduce you to her own version of Fetch.

We ate at the Star Café, delicious and a great atmosphere, and had ice cream at the local shop. We had a great visit with Arlene and Herb, the parents of Bill’s daughter-in-law, who had just moved from the farm into town in April. Arlene presented us with a cheque from the Claydon Ladies Social club as a donation. It is a pleasure to meet such friendly and warm people along the way. We enjoyed the evening with them touring the grounds, then it was off to bed for a very early start.

See more photos from Day 14

Day 15 May 22 Wednesday

Donna, our host, put out breakfast for our early departure. From Maple Creek to Swift Current, the news of the day was wind. A lot of it. Right in our faces. At 47 km/hr, gusting to 70 km/hr. I would like to dispel some myths about Saskatchewan. First, the winds aren’t always from the west, as you might think. They are the prevailing winds, but common sense with weather doesn’t always prevail. Secondly, the roads are not flat, nor are they straight. In our case, this was a welcomed surprise, as the winds sometimes died down a little on the uphills. Believe me, I never thought I would look forward to an uphill, but they are gentle and rolling, so it is worth the trade off. And winding roads – maybe that’s a bit misleading – we looked forward to any little shift in direction to get the wind to let up head on. What saved the day was teamwork – it was absolutely essential to perfect some drafting techniques, so that we could alternate between pulling hard and getting a bit of a break. With each 3 of us taking turns, we were all able to go further at a better pace, which at times seemed like backwards. We also kept our spirits up by making jokes and singing songs. Terry has a song line for EVERY topic you can think of. Our favorite was “the answer is blowing in the wind”. Don’t ask me what the question was.

As the day progressed, the winds got stronger and gustier. There were a few times when we were almost blown off our bikes, and even once when Terry was standing still. By 3:00 pm, we had reached Gull Lake, which was only 75 kms from our start. We realized we couldn’t make it to Swift Current before 8:00 pm if we were lucky, and would be totally exhausted for the next day, which is also a very long day, and no change to the wind forecast. We were also getting worried about safety, for instance getting blown into (or under) a passing truck, so we decided to pack it in for today and cut our losses. We have joked that our goal was EFI (Every $&%#@? Inch), but sometimes you have to adjust your plans when life (or Mother Nature) throws you a curve ball. The key is accepting what is, and doing it with a smile in your heart. In this respect, we were all happy with our decision.

The early day gave us a chance to cook a spaghetti and meatball dinner, do some blogging and some laundry. Clean laundry is essential to RV air quality. And, I’m hoping, a good night’s rest at the Pondarosa RV Park (thanks Bobi!). Did I mention that almost all the RV sites we are staying at were donated to us free of charge to support the ride? Canada is full of generous campground managers. If you would like to know details of where we stayed, we would be happy to let you know the wonderful places that support their community.

See more photos from Day 15

Read the next update: When life gives you lemons… ->

Let the Ninth Day be a Day of Rest….and it will be Good

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Sue Sohnle

<- Read the previous post: Day 7 and 8

After 8 days and about 950kms later, we are enjoying a non-cycling day in Cranbrook. A day off from bike touring is remarkably similar to a day off from work when you’re at home. Laundry, house cleaning, grocery shopping, meal prep for the week and paperwork are all on the agenda. As you can see, we are catching up on our blogs and keeping connected with the world. We treated our bikes to a check over at Gerrick’s bike shop, and then treated ourselves to massages from Allison, the owner of New Energy Wellness (believe me, we needed both energy and wellness). On a long trip like this, it’s important to keep your equipment – both mechanical and biological – in top notch running order. Just knowing they didn’t have to get on a saddle today, my cheeks were smiling – and I don’t mean the ones on my face. I was recommended a good ladies chamois cream with a tingling, numbing agent in it – first it tickles, then you can forget where your butt has been. For those of you who don’t cycle or haven’t done multiple day tours, chamois cream is like diaper rash cream for adults.
Breakfast was at everyone’s favourite grand slam restaurant – Denny’s. Patrick was over the moon that he could order off the senior’s menu for the first time ever. It really burst his bubble when he realized he wouldn’t be carded, and that pretty much anyone could be served from this menu.

A proud senior moment

Terry has been whipping up a turkey chili in our crock pot, for those nights we only have energy to push buttons on the microwave. Al has been loading pictures from about twelve different devices (cameras, iphones) onto the laptop so we can get them on the website. Today was the first real day I had time to get organized. After arm-wrestling over drawer space (kidding), I spent quite a bit of time ditching a schwack (technical term used in RVing) of clothes for Patrick to take home since:
(4 adults in a motorhome / Limited space) x mad rush in the morning to get ready = lost undies and socks
I questioned what to pack for 10 weeks, but I’ve quickly realized that being “one of the boys” means that I don’t need a smashing wardrobe, and can wear the same stuff over and over, as long as I don’t smell too bad.

In the evening, we had a big powwow to debrief about the first section of the trip, and the logistics once Patrick leaves with our second support vehicle when we reach Lethbridge (sigh). We are all grateful that the great big hills are behind us for the time being, and are looking forward to the next section of our journey.

I’ve still been having slow WiFi, we’re trying to get caught up with the blogs – thanks for your patience.

Read the next post: Into our third province – already! ->

Kootenay Bound!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Sue Sohnle

<- Read the previous post: You know you’re in the mountains when…

Night of day 4

So much to catch up on…..let’s pick up at the concert in Kelowna on Sat May 11th. It was held at the most unique venue ever – the heART studio. If I had to describe in one word the feel of this gathering, it would be authenticity. The owner of the newly-opened studio Carrie and her partner Jesse, spoke about both being bipolar (which they said with a laugh makes them quad-polar). Carrie spoke how the best thing that happened to her was getting diagnosed, so she could begin getting treatment and understand why she felt the way she had.

The Smiths

Sherri Funk, one of the many talented musical artists that night, talked very candidly about her husband Mike, who deals with schizophrenia. She eloquently conveyed how the family accepts this challenge openly and without fear, recognizing that mental health issues need to be addressed, but that they do not define him or their family. Her courage and insight was inspiring.

Sherry Funk

Candace Giesbrecht was the representative from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), our partner charity in Kelowna, and talked about their services, including expressive art classes that are available to those with chronic mental health issues, free of charge. One particular point she made that stuck with me is how they assist clients successfully navigate the health system and learn what resources are available to them, which is much needed when first reaching out to get help.

They had raffles for a variety of artsy items, from jewelry and paintings to books and wine. Some of the glass pendants being raffled were made by participants of the CMHA art classes. They also had some paintings for sale, with the proceeds going to CMHA. I bought a stunning abstract acrylic called “…give me Butterflies” done by JoJo. Imagine my surprise when I realized it was done by Joanne, who I had been speaking with most of the night. She said it was the first piece she had ever sold, so I am extra-honoured to be her first official buyer, and it is a beautiful souvenir of our trip.

Big thanks to everyone else who played a part in organizing, performing and volunteering at the concert, including Tami and Andrew Smith, Suzy Gemmel, Michael O’Neill and Zachari Smith. Sorry if I have missed anyone. It was wonderful meeting all the supporters from the community too.

See more photos from day 4

Day 5

We shuttled home to Oliver very late that night, well after midnight, so we got a slightly later start the next morning, which was Day 5, Sunday. And guess what? Another big climb from the get-go, up to the aptly named Anarchist Summit (I kid you not – see the photo below). There were numerous switchbacks which make it a reasonable grade, but by no means easy. It is also a popular training spot for the local bike groups, as evidenced by the number of spandex-laden boys charging up the long hill. I barley noticed – really. It was definitely a grunt, but we have been getting well accustomed to spinning in our granny gears to save our knees and our energy. We were also very thankful that it was overcast, as we didn’t need another scorcher. Aren’t we fickle – first we grumbled that it was too cold to train with our late spring in Edmonton, and now we were bellyaching about it being too hot – humans, you just can’t please them!

Up up and away

Getting to the top was quite the contrast. You move from desert, wineries and lakes, to ranchland, rolling hills and farm animals in a quick transition once you hit Boundary Country. It was so tranquil at the top – traffic quieted down, and I could have sworn one set of sprinklers I saw had been choreograghed by the Bellagio. We gave a grateful wave to the highway crew that was sweeping the shoulders, removing the winter gravel for the upcoming tourist season – we were probably one of the first of that group to come.
It was to be a bit of a shorter day to Midway with the monster climb out of Osoyoos, but I had my eye on the next day – 148 km with another long climb. Memories of our climb to Princeton came back to me with great clarity, and I decided that I would much rather continue on a bit today and save me some pain the next day. I managed to get about 18 kms down the road, but was thwarted by the first flat of the ride, courtesy of a piece of wire from a steel-belted radial tire, I believe. I was absorbed with my tire dilemma, and was caught off guard when I had a small herd of sheep run up to the adjacent fence and bleat at me – actually, I almost fell over, as I was so startled. My savior Patrick came to my rescue in his red Caravan so we could get back for our BBQ chicken and pasta dinner, whipped up by Terry with sous chef Patrick.

After dinner, some of us went to the Hot-L pub (the “E” long ago burnt out on their Hotel sign, and the name stuck) to use the WiFi. We ended up talking to a couple of young tree planters working in the area. It never ceases to amaze me how everyone has been affected by mental health issues – either personally or through close associations with friends and family. Our friend spoke of his earlier battle with depression, loss of friends to suicide, and his challenges locating the appropriate support sometimes. I am happy to report he got through this difficult time in his life, and is currently doing very well.
We also got some unexpected compliments. Al, our trusty driver, was picking up litter at a rest stop near Princeton while he waited for us to slog our way up a pass. Isn’t Al just a sweetheart?!- we think so!! A vacationing couple home-bound to Midway spotted him and Bill on garbage patrol, and thanked them profusely as they said they had never seen someone do that before, especially visitors to the area.

Good Samaritan Al

It was a bit colder at this higher elevation, and we had to use the furnace in the RV for the first time this night.

See more photos from day 5

Monday Day 6 out of Midway started with breakfast goodies at a great bakery in Greenwood, a cool little mining town just down the road.
Patrick got me a massive cinnamon bun that lasted me two days, which he would periodically hang out of the van window as he passed me on uphills, to entice me to keep pedaling. They filled up our water jugs with the “best tasting water in the world”, which is actually an official title they earned through some competition. And I must concur, although when I’m cycling I could be drinking slough water and not notice a huge difference, as long as it’s cold!
The terrain and scenery began to change again, as we headed towards lake country, specifically Christina Lake. A nice descent going in, but I have certainly learned that a great downhill is inevitably followed by it’s opposite, so they’ve become a lot less attractive than they used to be. On the plus side, it was another overcast day, so that helped keep the temperature more comfortable. We actually got some short sprinkles outside of Grand Forks, which was nice as it brought out all the scents of the blossoms that are exploding all over the place. I remember now why they call it Super Natural BC. The climb from Christina Lake was again brutal – so long and steady. But we managed to conquer it, with energy coming from I don’t know where – must be the goodies Patrick and Al keep picking up along the way……

Bill up the Hill

Our amazing supporters

We were rewarded with a smokin’ downhill into Castlegar. The only bummer was that the wind had picked up a bit, and we had to battle it a bit to keep up our speed. This provided Bill and I with a great opportunity to practice some drafting techniques. And yes, Bill can draft behind me, but I know I get the sweeter part of that deal.
And what a treat we experienced that night. We received a gracious dinner invitation from Neil and Cathy Muth from Castlegar, through a series of coincidences. They had been in Victoria visiting their daughter, and had heard about the Need2 kick off concert through the local paper, so they attended. They followed us on the website and met up with us in Midway, spoke with Bill about our itinerary, and invited us to dine at their home when we got to Castlegar. How generous are they, and how lucky are we! I know we haven’t been away from home long, but it was lovely to get a home cooked meal, especially one we didn’t have to make. And it came complete with a homemade crisp and ice cream. Sure you don’t want to join us on the whole trip Cathy??
The Muths were wonderful hosts. Their neighbors Tim and Roberta joined us for dessert, and we had a warm discussion with topics including the trip and mental health issues , and also music and house concerts. Bill commented that the music selection playing that night could have been from his own CD collection, and he discovered they had some musician friends in common too. To quote Disney, it is indeed “a small world after all”. We went home with full tummies and happy tastebuds!

See more photos from day 6

Read the next post: Day 7 and 8 ->

You know you’re in the mountains when…

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Sue Sohnle

Beautiful British Columbia

Sue going up hill – which she did a lot!

<- Read the previous update: We’re on our way!

Hi all, and welcome to Day 3 of the ride. I have cycled many thousands of kilometers in my lifetime, over all sorts of terrain and with all types of weather. But I have to say, the trip from Hope to Princeton was one of the most grueling days I have ever had.

Terry at just 1 of 3 summits

Since we went all the way to Princeton to shorten our next day, we cycled 148 kms, and over not one, not two but THREE passes, for a total of over 70 kms of up-hill over the entire day. Some parts were as steep as 9% grades. Amazingly, my legs held out fine, but I was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the day after 11 hours on the bike – yikes! And although I am a folkie at heart, I have to give thanks to Bruno Mars, Carly Rae Jepsen and Captain Tractor, all part of the “Upbeat” playlist on my iPhone, for getting me up those hills. We are all very proud of our accomplishment.

We still managed to meet with more people and talk to them about the ride. A wonderful couple in a Smart car with 2 bikes on the top – I didn’t think you could do that with a Smart car!! – stopped to wish us well. They were heading to Penticton to do some bike training for the weekend, so of course they were invited to our Kelowna fundraiser.

Riding the open road, to open minds around mental illness

All we had time for when we got to the campsite was to go out for dinner. Our bbq chicken had to be deferred to another night, as we didn’t want to cook in the dark, and we were all so famished. I wonder how many calories you burn in an 11 hour uphill ride?? Anyway, it was serendipitous that we went to Billy’s Family Restaurant (no relation to our fearless leader), because our server was the lovely and enthusiastic Reagen. She hugged all of us when we told her what we had accomplished so far, and in fact had heard about Hillary’s Ride from someone on Facebook. Isn’t social media amazing!! She took pictures of us, and coaxed the cook out of the kitchen to man the camera so she could be in the photo too, and posted it on her Facebook page. She talked about how she had been affected by depression, but with medication was doing very well. We appreciated her openness, which is exactly what we are trying to encourage. Thanks for the hospitality Reagen!

I’d like to tell you more, but I was out like a light as soon as I had my shower – I barely remember my head hitting the pillow.

See more photos from day 3

Chef Terry aka TMachine

After a breakfast of pancakes by Chef Terry, we had a lovely ride out of Princeton for day 4 – it was mostly downhill all the way Keremeos – what a treat after yesterday! It was good to do an easy spin and work out the cobwebs from my legs. And did I mention how good simple food tastes when you cycle all day and eat in an RV? The best turkey sandwiches are made and consumed on the road!!

Appreciating all the land offers…

Bill had a beautiful talk with a young man, Koy, from one of the Okanagan native bands just west of Keremeos. He said he would sing prayers for our safe passage across the country. It is so powerful to be enveloped in everyone’s blessings and wishes.

…especially the downhills

But alas, the second half of the day was a bit more challenging, as I had depleted all the glycogen in my quads the day before. We had our first taste of a headwind for a short while, but in the big scheme of things, it was minor. Actually kind of nice since it was 27 degrees again.We had another decent climb near the 100 km mark, at the end of the day – sometimes those are killers! But we ended on a big downhill into Osoyoos, then we shuttled to our RV site in Oliver – except for Terry who cycled the extra way (he’s a biking machine!!). As I write this, we’re all in Patrick’s van, on our way to Kelowna for our 2^nd concert in BC. Glad it’s Saturday, so we will miss any workday traffic, because we’re on a tight schedule. Only four days in, and I’m already losing track of the days.

I’ll fill you all in on the concert with my next posting. Love and Hugs to everyone until then!

See more photos from day 4

Read the next post: Kootenay bound! ->

We’re on our way!

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Sue Sohnle

60km into day 1.

Sorry I haven’t blogged earlier, but things have been pretty crazy getting ready for departure and on the road. This will be a looong entry as I have lots to tell, so be prepared!

The team all arrived in Victoria over the weekend – most by plane, Patrick and I drove out to Tsawwassen on Sunday. Monday was a busy prep day for everyone. Terry came over on the ferry, and Al our driver flew into YVR (Vancouver). We all met up at Four Seasons RV Rental (who have given us a generous discount on our one-way RV rental to Halifax). There we loaded and made our way over to Aldergrove, to drop off our “new home” at the Eagle Wind RV Park for the next 3 days, til we arrive back on the evening of our first day’s ride (Wednesday 8 May). We did test drives, bought and loaded groceries, put Hillary’s Ride decals on the RV, and then hurried to make the 7:00 pm ferry to Victoria.

Meanwhile, Bill was doing interviews with CBC and meeting with the organizers of our Kick Off Concert.

Alix Goolden Performance Hall

Bill Werthmann, Paul Shortt (l), George Nixon (r)

The concert on Tues May 7^th was brilliant! The venue was a beautiful old church, complete with stained glass and a huge pipe organ, now a music conservatory called Alix Goolden Hall. The folks from Need2, our partner charity in Victoria, did an incredible job of organizing the event. Kudos to Bob de Wolff, who got the word out to the community so that we ended up with an enthusiastic and big-hearted crowd! There was such a loving vibe in the room, and it grew in strength as the night progressed. We were treated to an amazing show through the generosity of the artists who donated their time and talents. It was a great combination of new young voices, and veterans of the Canadian music scene. It’s always a pleasure to get introduced to new artists who blow your socks off!

West My Friend

Rick Scott with granddaughter Lilu

Rosie June, as well as West My Friend who all cycled to the concert with their instruments, including a double bass, and nephews of Bill (Paul Shortt and George Nixon) inspired the audience with their unique brands of music. Rick Scott and his grand-daughter Lilu, Roy Forbes and Valdy brought their consummate musicianship and wowed everyone, reminding us why they are long time favourites who will always stand the test of time. A big thank you to Jo-Ann Roberts, the host of the evening from CBC Radio, as well as the inspiring young leader Kelly Paul. She is running 535 kms down Vancouver Island to raise awareness about suicide prevention, especially in First Nations communities. Way to go Kelly, and best of luck with the Heliset Hále Marathon!!

Valdy leading the amassed congregation

All in all it was a wonderful evening that I will not soon forget. And Need2 Suicide Prevention has an amazing idea to “break the silence” on mental health and suicide – by making some noise! They want to turn up the volume so that those suffering from mental illness know they are not alone, and that we care. They have a goal to hit one million minutes of sound by November this year. Please go to their website to participate in this creative project – www.need2.ca. All it takes is to get a group together to sing, stomp, clap or whatever sounds you can think of, for a minute or more. Easy to do, and the impact will be widespread and powerful.

See more photos from the kick-off concert

Patrick Houston and Sue Sohnle at Mile 0

Day 1

The next morning, we had a wonderful send off from Mile Zero (the start of the Trans Canada Hwy). The local Lions Club were set up bright and early, serving pancakes, sausages and all the fixins for the crowd of well wishers who sent us on our way in style! It was a very significant morning, not only because we were starting our journey, but because it was the 10^th anniversary of Hillary’s death. It was a solemn reminder of why we are doing this ride – to prevent other families from suffering the devastating loss that the Werthmann’s have, and to let troubled youth know that we care about them, that there is no shame in mental illness and sharing the pain, and that help and compassion is available.

Renate gives the riders a blessing from the oceans

After dipping our rear tires in the Pacific, receiving a musical blessing from our new friend Renate, photos by the Terry Fox memorial, and many hugs and tearful goodbyes, we started our incredible journey. After all the planning, it was finally happening!!

Sue and Terry riding

We have received many wishes for the wind at our back and sunny skies, and all your prayers worked, because our first day was just that! It was a promising omen for the journey ahead. Our 93km day was broken up with the ferry ride back to the mainland. We had a really long day, as we still had unpacking to do, as well as some more shopping (plus we had to take advantage of the pool and hot tub to rejuvenate us). We had dinner out that night late at the local Boston Pizza, thanks Brianne and Kate for the great meal and support for our ride. We didn’t get to bed until quite late – hence, no blog update! We did however get a chance to talk to a few of our RV park vacationers, and received a very generous donation from a lovely BC couple who wanted to support us. I am always amazed at the generosity of strangers – so many of us are affected by mental illness issues, and want to help. It reminds me of the love and hope that exists and buoys us all up.

See more photos from day 1

Day two was another great day. We went from Aldergrove to Hope, which gave us our first taste of white-capped mountains – even though the temps have been in the high 20s, and nothing but blue sky. We toured past beautiful BC farms and dairies. Little colts and calves everywhere – spring has definitely sprung! It was a 103 km day, but we got in earlier because of a nice early start. And let me tell you, food always tastes so much better when you have been outside all day, getting fresh air and working up an apetite!

John Smith, who works with youth struggling with addictions, chats with support driver, Al Carlson

Probably the best part of the day was a getting a hug from John Smith, who works with youth struggling with addictions. He googled our website that he saw posted on the RV, and drove ahead to stop the cyclists and tell us how much he appreciated what we were doing. He said there are a lot of people using substances to help cope with depression contemplating suicide, and he was going to show them what we are doing to give them hope. Meeting him made our day!

So there we are…

So there we are – up to date with the news. I will post again once we have WiFi access again. Tomorrow (Friday) is going to be one of the most challenging days we will have – not because of mileage, but due to the elevation gain, since we’ll be climbing most of the day (41m to 1341m). Send us strength and courage through the airwaves, so we can soak them up into our quads, and make it to the top of Manning Park.

Love and Hugs from Sue and the team!

See more photos from day 2

Read the next update: You know you’re in the mountains when… ->

Whipping us into shape….

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Sue Sohnle

Before we head out to Victoria to start our adventure, I need to recognize those who have helped me prepare my body for the ride. My key concern has been to strengthen any vulnerable areas, to prevent injuries, so I enlisted a couple of experts.

Before the workout

Bill and I have been working with our trainer, Kevin Dunsing, at the Kinsmen Sports Centre since last fall. He has been kicking our butts, and I mean that as a huge compliment. We have both seen improvement in our fitness levels and strength, and we can’t wait to see how that translates onto the bike. Kevin has been so patient working with us, encouraging and motivating us, each at our own level. Plus, he distracts us with stories and jokes when the going gets tough. Too bad we can’t bring him along!
A big thank you to Gary Dewar at the City of Edmonton for donating annual fitness passes so we could work out at city facilities to prepare. This was especially important for us, as it is almost May and as I write this there is snow on the ground (again) – sigh!

After the workout

I would also like to give a shout out to my massage therapist, Davina Warrener, at the Active Life Centre in St. Albert. She’s done a great job of assessing my muscular fitness, and keeping me loose and flexible as I train. She is like a detective, following clues to figure out what imbalances are occurring and what we need to do to fix them. Plus she is a fascinating young woman!

I will miss them both dearly on the ride.

Snow, snow – go away!

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Sue Sohnle

About a week and a half ago, I had thought it would be just a matter of days before I would be outside on my bike, to get in some actual road hours. However, Mother Nature had other plans, as a major spring snowstorm dumped a couple more feet of snow.

So I am still stuck inside on my trainer, doing 4+ hour spins in front of the TV. I am in the dark ages, no PVR, so I use the commercials to do intervals, one leg drills, fast cadence or strength work.
But yesterday, the sun came out big time and the melt has started….so I’m hoping to be outside very, very soon!

May 8th is coming fast!

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Sue Sohnle

It has been a busy year – Patrick and I got married, had a couple of wedding parties, honeymooned in the South Pacific, and of course through it all we have been preparing for Hillary’s Ride.

Although we have been planning this for well over a year and a half, it has only just started feeling “real”. Sometimes it hits me – I’m cycling across Canada! – and I am overcome with a flood of feelings. Fear for one, as I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into. Adrenaline for another, as the concerts are planned, the charities contacted, and the fundraising tickets sold. But more than anything else, I feel honoured – to be part of the tribute to Hillary’s life, to dedicate two and a half months to a cause I feel passionate about, and to see first-hand the strength and dedication that a family can nurture despite a devastating loss.

We will be charting our journey on this blog over the coming months, and I hope you will follow along. Let the adventure begin!

Why in the world am I doing this?

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Sue Sohnle

Thanks for tuning into Hillary’s Ride for Mental Health!

Putting our heads together

I’ve been talking to friends, family and co-workers about my big adventure next year, and the question everyone asks is “Why in the world are you doing that?”

My reasons for getting involved in Hillary’s Ride are many. I never actually met Hillary, but I have come to know Bill and Betty jo through their Northern Lights Folk Club. They are very hard working, generous, down to earth people – and I need people like that in my life. When I heard the circumstances around their daughter’s death, my heart ached for what their family had to go through (and still deal with today). But I also admired their resolve to help other families and young people dealing with depression and other mental health issues. I myself have struggled with depression, although thankfully not to the severe depths that some people experience.

I have always thought that there is still too much of a stigma around mental health issues, even though it is a medical problem. It is not due to personal weakness, nor is it just a matter of “picking up your socks and getting over it”. I think the reluctance to talk about this is a major barrier to people getting help. This is especially true for teens and young adults, who are still trying to discover who they are, and don’t want to open themselves up to ridicule, or feel like they don’t fit in.

In the past, I have volunteered with a crisis line that dealt with the issues of suicide and depression, so I have seen how widespread these issues are, and that affect not only the person, but their family and friends as well. We need to open up the dialogue, so we can talk freely without shame.

On a lighter note, it has always been on my bucket list to cycle across Canada. I thrills me that I can make that wish happen, while raising awareness for such an important issue at the same time! And I also love folk music, so this is bringing together many passions I have into one massive experience of a lifetime!

I know it will be a huge undertaking, both the preparation and the ride itself, but it is a challenge I welcome and look forward to. We have a great team working on putting this together, and I am getting to know a whole new group of friends because of it. What could be better than that!?

Sue

Hillary's Ride for Mental Health

Supporting conversations for Mental Health

Author Archives: Sue Sohnle