So far on this ride we have seen two bears, one moose, about a dozen deer, a loon, several birds of prey, and a turtle! 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
After two days of what seemed like non stop climbing, we hit some flater land! However the flat land was dry and well into the 30’s. By midday we had about 140km in and we were each going through about 1.5 litres of water per hour and still having a tough time keeping going. To make matters worse, last night we did not get any sleep due to scheduling. Most of us were going on 1 or 2 hours sleep, brutal to say the least! However, the ride continues!!!! 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 started with a dip of the bike wheels in the Pacific Ocean! It was a nice ride down from the residence to Kits Beach. There were a lot of friends and families of the organizers and riders there to see us off, I took a pebble with me to bring to the Atlantic - I am sure I must be breaking some regulation though! After a slow ride through Vancouver we stopped at two Sears locations and picked up some local riders who were there to see us off - then on to Abbotsford and up to the mountains! The ride to hope and then into the interior was brutal. We climbed over 6000 feet in total on the first day of the ride and made it to Vernon where we started the next day. Today, we got in another 245km which included the Rogers Pass - our day finished at the summit. The ride felt easier than yesterday despite temperatures getting into the 30’s. At midday it was 33 degrees but by the time we hit the summit there was snow on the side of the road. We had one crash today - a rider went down on a small climb but managed to recover enough to continue. Legs are hold up good but my behind is a little sore. Tomorrow we get our first taste of flat land! 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
Today was the last day of preparation for the ride. All the groups are together and we have the final pieces of our gear. Pictures will be taken in about 45 minutes. Everything is coming together very quickly. I am a little nervous about the coming days, we keep hearing so many good things, and at the same time, so many bad things - the weather, the hills, the wind! I still believe that this will be an experience I will never forget! 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
So far so good! Air Canada managed to get me and my bike to Vancouver without too much difficulty. Arriving in Vancouver, the ride had a number of minivans and a cube van waiting for us to take us to the UBC campus for the next few days. On arrival, I checked into my dorm room and brought my bike to the mechanics for assembly. It all checked out perfectly, so no complaints there. Went for a quick ride down South Marine Drive - tons of construction going on here - I assume for the Olympics. When I got back, I lent a hand to paint some sign stands and got ready for the rider prep session in the afternoon. Dinner is at 6- or 9pm by my internal Toronto time. 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
Ok, so technology is a wonderful thing! Turns out all I have to do is send an email and things get posted pronto! 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
The bike is tuned, the legs are trained (sort of), tickets booked! All I have to do now is ride from one side of the country to the other! Well, not exactly, I am being interviewed tonight for a movie and then I have to change my tires, pack my bike and clothes…. then start to travel! Excited? Maybe… but nervous? You bet!
The Sears National Kids Cancer Riders were invited to open the TMX on 4 June 2009! It was a great experience and something that I will never forget! As a young MBA graduate I always thought of being there to open the market, I just never knew that I would be wearing spandex to do it!
