Day 50: Pedaling Feat on the Gong Show!

Day 50: Ottawa to Hawkesbury

We began the morning under cloudy skies and a downpour of elephant-sized rain drops.

Our newest driver and #1 fan, John, had joined the Pedaling Feat escapade. We were also very pleased to have three of my good friends riding with us that day - Ryan, Lee and Jen!

Left to Right: Ryan, Lee, Jen, Me and Mel. Team Awesome ready to ride!

Ryan led us along the backroads of Orleans. The rain did not let up, but our top of the heap trio did not complain at all. A quick story about Ryan and his bike, "Arthur" in the form of a Haiku:

We took on a hill.

Poor Arthur did not make it.

Ryan took a spill.

A kick and a jog.

Ryan was back on his bike.

Pedaling Feat cheered!

Ryan giving Arthur a quick pep talk as he jogs up the hill after Team Awesome.

I should also mention (in fairness) that at some point that morning, Lois/John got friendly with a yield sign. Keeping with the Gong Show theme of course.

Shortly thereafter, we lost sight of Lois. She had been following close behind until now. We pulled off into the WalMart parking lot ahead to wait for her. We soon found out that Lois was having mechanical troubles. Namely, she kept stalling and not wanting to start again. Lois!!!

We managed to get her to the Canadian Tire parking lot that was nearby and were fortunate enough to get the guys there to look at her right away! Our mechanic even skipped his lunch break to help us out.

Lee, John and Ryan giving it all they had, while Pedaling Feat directed the show.

Canadian Tire saves the day!

With everyone still in good spirits, we ate lunch, interviewed with the local paper (The Vision), met a lovely couple who had seen us on the news and did a little roadside dance to cheer Lois back to good health. It was a great time. As for Lois' diagnosis? 2 Hours and a new ignition module and she was 110%!

By this time (early afternoon), the sun had come out and dried up all the rain. So team Pedaling Feat hopped on our bikes and hit the road again.

Team Awesome conquered rain, hills, wind and a breakdown that day. Troopers!

We met a number of Pedaling Feat supporters on our ride to Hawkesbury. Many of whom had seen us on the news the night before. It is something we never get tired of. And I am slowly figuring out that it is not really about the amount of money we raise for cancer research, but more about giving hope to people who have been affected by cancer. They are the reason we get on our bikes everyday - and we had a number of 'reminders' as we rode that day.

A Pedaling Feat supporter and cancer survivor, who stopped at the side of the road to greet us.

With Lois' impromptu breakdown, it ended up being a long day to Hawkesbury. We hit the town at around 6 p.m. and stopped in at DQ to celebrate!

None of our riders had ever gone that far in one day (90 km!). We were so proud of all of them! Jen rode a hybrid that was probably as heavy as mine and Mel's bikes put together. Her secret? Tearing down hills like lightening (no matter who was in her way) and using that momentum to get her up the other side. Go Jen!

Martha and Ryan at DQ.

Team Awesome. In Hawkesbury. Still smiling.

We stayed at my eye doctor's place (and Ryan's good friend) that night. John BBQ'd enough food for the entire town, we cheers'd to our success and ended it off with a delicious cholocate mousse cake. We were sad to bid farewell to our riders, it is always fun having others join the adventure.

Meet John. Cooking up a storm.

P.S. John made a Pedaling Feat T-Shirt. It reads...

Pedaling Feat's:
A. Bikeseat Warmer
B. Chauffeur
C. Alarm Clock
D. Token Ethnic Guy
E. Gourmet Chef.
We vote all of the above, and then some!