Mon. May 11 5:30 a.m. - Trans-Canada ride v. Lyme Disease

[Rolf]

While sitting at the Tripleshot tent at the MEC Bikefest this past weekend, I was approached by a local organizer for a Trans-Canada ride in support of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation that starts next week. When she saw we were an early-morning bunch, she asked that I put out an invitation to join the start at sunrise (5:30-ish a.m.), next Monday, May 11, at Mile "0" by Beacon Hill Park.

The two riders are rowers from Ontario. They'll do some press and photos, then climb aboard and ride the Goose and Lochside Trails up to the ferry. They would love to have an honour guard ride with them.

Day One ends in Maple Ridge. If you're curious about their route and schedule, all 59 days of their journey are mapped out on this page. They'll average 140 km/day for 8,000 km, with apparently only one rest day! And most of it's highway. Our local cycling trails will no doubt be a cherished memory by the end.

Lyme disease, if you don't know, is caused by bacteria carried by nasty ticks that jump out from obscurity and bite your ankles—sometimes causing unimaginable grief if not promptly treated. They kind of remind me of Alan Cassels.

[Rolf]

We'll be leaving around 6 from Mile '0' tomorrow morning. A couple of Farmers will be out, and others. Should be a fun morning to kick off a crazy long ride.

[Rolf]

And they're off...

The guys did the ceremonial wheel-dip in the Pacific, shook some hands, and off we went. We stayed off the Pat Bay right up until the toll booths and had a brisk morning on the trails. Even had time for a macchiato in Sidney. These guys are big, fearless, rower-types—like Kreeky and Todd H. (They drove out from St. Catherine's in 2.5 days!) They're ready for anything and should have a great journey.

Thanks to those who made it out. And to Julie, for helping me with a flat on the way home (thankfully after dropping them off.)