The ride is over and the recovery has started. It was a tough ride to say the least. The coastal mountains and rockies were a challenge but as were the winds of the prairies, the hills of northern Ontario, and New Brunswick. Each region of Canada had its own challenges, but each also shared in the tragic reality of children suffering with cancer. I am proud to say that I rode, sweat, cried, and lived with an amazing group of people- I could not have asked for a better team to ride with. Each team member brought with them strengths, perspectives and weaknesses. Each of us had been touched by cancer in our own way. It was clear to each of us that the ride, the fundraising, and the visibility of the foundation has made a difference. We met so many people who praised us for what we are doing, who thanked us for making a difference in their lives. Looking forward I hope a day comes when children’s cancer is over come, however, until that time, I plan on continuing to support the foundation by whatever means are available to me. Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
Made it to Halifax in 12 days! Saying that my legs are tired would be an understatement. The ride today was short, a quick 20 minute ride in from Lower Sackville along the Bedford Highway and into the Halifax Shopping Centre. The reception there was great! The local Marsh office had a BBQ going and was flipping burgers by the time we arrived. From there we rode into the IWK hospital for a reception before hitting Point Pleasant Park. Riding into the park, my team mate, Steve Bright, and I made sure we were at the front of the pack. Our team had made a promise to each other that we would be the first to the beach… And we were. Riding into the parking lot, we rode through on the gravel and straight to the sandy beach. When Steve and I racked our bikes I grabbed him and we ran straight into the water… Team 2 - first to the Atlantic. Jason Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
Made it to the marshalling point in Lower Sackville… All three teams come together tonight and we ride into Halifax in the morning…. Big party tonight, even bigger tomorrow! Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
Day after day we encounter children, families and loved ones whom are living with or beyond cancer. Some of the stories are sad, tragic and heart breaking, others provide hope and illustrate how the Foundation and the Ride are making a difference. When the ride ends tomorrow, I am not sure how I will feel. I would like to think that somewhere a child or a family is in a better place as a result… Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
Today we did the New Brunswick stage of the ride… And it rained. Our first stage was a 126km ride from Woodstock to Frederickton- it started raining heavily before we left and continued late into the afternoon as we did the Fredericton to Moncton stage. Being cold and wet for so long was tough. However, a local Sears store, a community hall, and a Sears Catalogue outlet all did their best to keep us rolling, fed, and warmed up the best way they could. Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
We have a headwind again today, my right Achilles hurts like crazy, my toes are numb from some back/nerve issues, legs are cut up from road sand and gravel that gets kicked up, my hands are swollen from the non-stop road vibrations, and I have an amazing craving for bacon… Only two and a half more days to go. Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
Today we rode from Pickering to Bellville, a nice short stage due to a number of community events and a big bash at the huge Sears distribution centre in Belleville. About 1,400 people work there and through their efforts they raised $60,000 for the foundation. They had a fantastic BBQ with pasta and vegetables for us too! The teams are heading into Quebec tonight and tomorrow. We have a big day tomorrow and I am very concerned about my Achilles holding together. This morning when I woke up my right Achilles was sore- a bad sign. I think it was all the starting and stopping from yesterday in Toronto. I used some cream that I had and some pain killers and made it through the day. I just need to keep it together for a few more days and the ride will be over. Jason Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
Yesterday we did the Woodstock to Pickering, Ontario stage, which included several ride along stages with local riders and a huge stop at Sick Kids hospital in Toronto. The weather was a little wet to say the least! It rained and rained and the rained some more. To make matters worse, with all the starting and stopping many of the riders got cold - very cold. Several were a little on the blue side, others shivered uncontrollably. However, we completed the stage just as the rain was stopping. The event at Sick Kids was amazing. A bunch of my fellow Marshians showed up to ride in with me and my parents and Colleen were at the hospital waiting for me. It was an amazing experience to say the least. Thankfully, we have clear skies for the next few days and a slower day making sponsor calls! Only a few more days to Halifax! Jason Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
A few days ago we were to meet a teen and his family. The teen had been battling cancer for the past several years. Unfortunately, the boy died two days before we arrived. However, the family requested that we come to the funeral home. We rolled into Wawa, Ontario and headed straight for the funeral home. I think the experience will stay with me for a long time. Seeing an 18 year old buy in a coffin… Who died from cancer… Is wrong…. It truly is the face of cancer and the reason why we are riding across the country. Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
Made it to Owen Sound, Ontario! It was a long haul in from Espanola, Ontario, including a two hour ferry ride on the Chichimaun! We had an amazing welcome into Owen Sound - police escort, media (Rogers TV), a BBQ at the local Sears store and two local cyclists whom rode with us down the Bruce Peninsula. My legs are dead tires, I have been running on about 4 hours of sleep a night for the past week. I have an incredible ‘farmers tan’ from my jersey and ‘raccoon eyes’ from my glasses! It looks like tonight I will get a decent night’s sleep and some recovery. I have been having some incredible back pain, but that’s long distance cycling. The next two days are slow and easy days as we have a variety of events in Southern Ontario. I think that brings us to some place near Quebec City, then just three days and the ride ends in Halifax! Jason Jason B. Hutchings Assistant Vice President Marsh Canada Limited Jason.Hutchings@marsh.com T: +1 416 349 6632 C: +1 416 460 4978 F: +1 416 349 4559
