Bob Turner

its sept 11 and we arrived at sears in Moose Jaw where Sears provided us with an amazing lunch.  We left Moose Jaw and headed for Winnipeg.  When we arrived at the boarder we had a police escort, it was an unreal feeling.  At the same time the Winnipeg Jets and Sask. Rough Riders had started their game. 

Its now sept 12 and we are leaving Winnipeg with a police and fire dept escort….unbelievable.  I rode 140km today.  I’m now in Kenora, Ont and headed for Thunder Bay.  I spoke to Donna today and was so happy to hear her voice.  She is meeting me in Toronto on sat.

Day 2 - Kamloops to Salmon Arm

Did 114km today - lost my chain going up a hill - was able to stop on hill - put it back on and off I went again - then I broke a spoke on the rear wheel - Ok, so not a great way to start the day - however, the rest of the day was exciting and challenging as we sped into Salmon Arm clocking an average of 27.8km  - The National Team is totally amazing to ride with - team camraderie was awesome - I suspect they got me to the finish today - We all worked together as a team and stayed close as a pack - This was an awesome experience for me as i have never really riden with such a large group of cyclists before. 

I was speaking to Bob onTuesday night and he asked me if I could do a little blogging for him.  He said he was excited about meeting everyone and enjoyed their dinner on sunday evening as a team for those who had arrived early.  He mentoned the visit at the B.C. Children’s Hospital and how over whelming and emotional meeting the kids and seeing their amazing spirit.  The kids gave each rider a signed shirt. They did a team ride on tues i think to loosen up.  Hopefully Bob will be able to do some blogging along the way or take notes and let everyone know about his trip when he returns. I believe its today or tomorrow that he heads to Lake Louise.  You can follow the team by going to www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com  He has been gone from home since Aug31, I can’t wait to see him when he arrives in Toronto on Sept 16

Excitement is building.  Looking forward to meeting with my National Team family.  A special thanks to my dear friend Gord Bushby for his spiritual support and always being there with a handful hand and Frank for his words of encouragement.    

SAT

Hi Friends, woke up at 5:30 am in the morning rushing around making sure I had every thing packed  to prepare for a journey of a life time. The anticipation is something I have never experienced at this level, except maybe the first time I stepped on the ice at Maple Leaf Gardens to play hockey in front of family and friends.  I just want to go now Right now this minute . Leave tomorrow morning to take the ferry to Vancouver from Victoria where I’ve been visiting with my sister.  Last month, she woke and found a huge lump on the side of her neck still dont know the final results.  Then reality set in and on the plane I  have never felt so isolated and alone.   With all these emotions I am really going to have to dig deeper than I have ever had to.  Challenge myself well beyond my limits.  Maybe this must be the same type of emotions kids go through with cancer and their treatments, and this ride I am doing across Canada will hopefully get rid of  these  feelings!

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On aug 20 we did very well at the scrap metal drive.  People were bringing everything from frying pans to furances. Many thanks to Frank Smythe, Aaron Waxman and Terry Griffins of Scrap Cares who help organize this fundraising event.

Aug 26th my bike was shipped, what a strange feeling not having my bike for a whole week.  On the 27th we were fundraising at the LCBO in barrie, again lots of support from the local people.  Our granddaughter Madelynne who is 3 brought her piggybank and gave all her money to help the kids get better.  Its moments like that, seeing childring helping other children.

It’s aug 30 and i’m leaving tomorrow for vancouver. It’s overwhelming not knowing whats ahead of this journey.  I’m visiting my sister Val in Victoria for a few days for some R & R before we head out on Sept 7th. 



Yesterday I did 100kms around the lake and suddenly at 1:50pm I felt my whole bike shake .  When I got home I heard there was a earthquake in Virgina.  That explains the shaking I experienced.  I was doing 30kms at the time and thought my national ride was history.

As mentioned in my previous posting a 10 year old named Monica gave me all her savings.  She said this would help the kids to get well and not suffer anymore. My wife later told me that Monica lost her father with his passing in January 2011.  Im going to visit her today and thank her for her donation.

For me this journey started one year ago at the 24hr spin at the CNE Toronto Bike Show.  I was handing information out regarding the National Ride for Kids Cancer from Vancouver to Halifax 2010.  People would asked me if I was going on the ride, I said no, and that stuck in my head.  I followed the 2010 ride on their website, even bought their jerseys.  I ride wearing it and people would ask me if I participated in the national ride.  I had to say no again, I wanted to say yes.  I knew then I had to go on the 2011 ride.

Its spring and the training starts .  I get up every morning, rain or shine, up and down the hills one after another always thinking of the kids who are fighting cancer.   Through this journey so far, I’ve meant amazing people who are 100% behind what I’m doing.

So many people sharing stories of people they know who hve cancer and how it effects their families and how much the National Riders have given them hope and aspirations that they didn’t have before.  Kids caring about other kids,making their own donation by dropping in their pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters whatever they have at our fundraising events to show their concern.  A little girl name Monica who is 10 years old gave us all the money in her bank and asked me to help the sick children.  She had saved $25.00.  People asked me where I get the strength and energy for such a journey.  Mathew 7.7 Ask it and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, Knock and it will be open to you.  Also  Kings 2.21 I have healed this water (The Lord usually chooses to work through both people and things to accomblish his work) a perfect example “Noah’s Ark”

Two weeks before leaving for this trip I took my bike to be serviced only to find 4 stress factures on the back rim.  Bay Cycle from Pickering asured me they would have this problem resolved and true to their word and with new carbon wheels and many adjustments I’m back on the road.  

Before I take off on the journey I would like to thank my family and friends, Tim and his staff at Bay Cycle, Bradley at Tim Hortons at Harwood and Bayly, Sobeys in South Ajax, LCBO in Whitby, No Frills on Monarch in Ajax, Pickering Town Centre, Sears at the Eaton Centre in Toronto, Sears at the Pickering Town Centre,  The scrap metal industries, Scrap Cares for the scrap metal drive, Kx 96.fm, SNAP magazine, The News Advertiser, CP24, all the residents of Ajax, Pickering and Whitby and Joe Dickson for his support in the upcoming Inside Ride which will be held at the Ajax Community Centre on Oct. 20th. 

Bob’s Bio

I’m a 57 year old professional  trainer  who lives in Ajax, Ontario with my wife Donna of 32 years.  I take great pleasure in motivating people to be the best that they can be and succeed in anything they want to do.

When the going gets tough you have to dig deeper finding the courage and strength which I have observed with people that have cancer. 

I’m an avid cyclist who has logged many hours on the road and in the gym, including a 230km day ride and a 24 hour spin event.  I love playing hockey and helped my team win the eastern championships.  I love to garden & landscape and won first prize in the Ajax Blooms contest.

I’m deeply honoured to have been selected to participate in the 2011 Coast-to-Coast Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. The Ride gives me a unique opportunity to help children and their families fight this disease. My nephew was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager and I also have a neighbour whose young son is fighting cancer. I’ve witnessed the disease’s effect on my family and friends, and I’m drawing my inspiration from them. Thanks to generous donations to causes like this, my nephew is now cancer-free. I am thrilled that 100% of all funds raised will go directly to the cause.