Rainy Weather

Today started off they way we are used to Pedal For Hope days starting in the past, with rain. As we started just outside Stockdale the rain was coming down pretty hard. The team put on their rain gear and rolled out onto the highway towards Stockdale Public School. One of the unique qualities of this team is the fact that they ride no matter what. Other than 2 riders being in vehicles today due to injuries, every single rider rides every kilometer, rain, sun, hail or snow. We have seen it all, and we have ridden in it all !!!!

But as I have said before, both Sierra and Dawson are always looking down on us and today was no different. Today as we rode into Stockdale Public School it was raining pretty hard, the sky was dark grey and the wind was blowing. 45 minutes later we walked out to blue sky, dry roads and warm. It was awesome !!!!!!!

While we were at Stockdale the energy inside was intense. The students were excited to see us and we were just as excited to be at another new school on our tour. We shaved some heads and cut a pony tail or two, and Ms. Beal had her hair dyed all different colours for the cause. The best part about that is a couple of students were the helping hands in the dye job. We were also joined by Constable Jason Katz who shaved his head for the cause.

From Stockdale we were off to Brighton Public School. The ride was windy but it was dry, and that was good for the team. There is nothing worse than riding in wet clothes. We have been going to Brighton for many years now and we get the same celebrity welcome year after year. The kids are fantastic and teachers like Mr. Norris go above and beyond to raise funds. This year I was thrilled to attend a golf tournament that he and his wife held to support Pedal For Hope. Way to go team !!!!

After the show it was across the street for lunch at, you guessed it, Subway. The team enjoyed a quick bite to eat and than back on the bikes and off to South Cramahe, and it was up hill all the way out of Brighton. The road to South Cramahe Public School is always fun because it has nice rolling hills are very picturesque and not really that hard to climb, oh wait a minute, I was in a cruiser, now that I think about it the team did look like they were struggling a bit.

This is the last year for us to attend South Cramahe Public School, at this location anyway. The students are getting a brand new school next year, hopefully we can be there for the grand opening !!!! Keeping with tradition we shaved a police officers head at the school, and who better to shave than our guest rider today, Constable Grant Eastwood. Boy if we keep shaving our guest riders they may not come out to ride anymore.

After South Cramhe it was a short ride to Colborne to be ready for tomorrows schools. Tomorrow will also be the first time back on the bike for me since my little mishap. It's amazing what medicated rub and Tylenol 3's can do for you !!!

John Townsend

Pedal For Hope