The last Hooray! Finished!

YIPPEE  my odometer reads 1500kms.

I've been waiting for my wound to heal...( it looks like a smiley face from my view) . so I could officially  reach the 1500km on the odometer.    It was still oozing some blood and puss, but I was told I could cycle in two weeks, so out I went.    In my heart I knew I had accomplished my goal, so when I reached it in reality it didn't feel like wow!   I am proud of reaching my kilometer goal, and am still short on my fundraising goal but that can change, but what I took away the most from this journey was realizing I need to continue my MS journey with people who love and support me.

I've been thinking and contemplating a lot on a cycle ride I took a few years ago.  It was the Hiawatha trail in Idaho, here's a little blurb about it...

Spectacular Scenery. It was called one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country. When the Milwaukee Railroad was operating, the trains traversed through 11 tunnels and over 9 high trestles, covering a 46 mile route that crossed the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The "Route of the Hiawatha" is most famous for the long St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel which burrows for 8771 ft. (1.66 miles) under the Bitterroot Mountains at the state line. 


We had to rent  a light for my bike as the tunnel which is 2.7 Kms. long is pitch dark and you can not see the end of the tunnel and they won't let you cycle without one.  My light didn't work, so Wes tried biking as close as he could to me so I could see the light from his bike.  You are cycling  on a narrow trail that slopes on both sides, with water dripping on both sides, it's cold and it is  pitch dark, you can't see your hand in front of your face.   Finally a group of women caught up to us, and one of the riders had a blinking red light on her helmet so she went ahead of me and I focused on the light to find my way.   About halfway you could finally see some light it was about the size of pin head, and as you cycled it kept getting larger and larger as you got to the end.   I hadn't really thought of this for awhile but when we were cycling in Coue d'lane I was reminded of this  ride and I realized it represented my summer of cycling.

I started my journey of 1500 kms this summer of kind of being in the dark, of not knowing what I would encounter, but the heart (light) was in for the long haul and I knew that I would do my best in completing my ride.  I hadn't thought of all the rain in June or the hot July , and I am so glad I had my  tumble off the bike at the end of the tunnel and not at the beginning.    I ended up with encountering lots of different things but what helped me the most was the support of others helping to keep my heart ( light) in it.   I could not of done this journey without the support of so many encouraging words, is so many different ways.   I walked away from this journey with something I didn't expect, the feeling that I'm not in this fight alone, that when I need support it will be there.   Here I was raising money for helping find new ways to fight MS, which gave me hope, and found so much  more in the knowing that I have the support I will need for what ever comes my way.   I went in with being excited about having Hope and came away knowing I have everything I need to continue my fight with MS.

I finished where I wanted to a few feet north of our house, where there is a lovely bench that faces the Bow River, I will always be able to go there and remember this summer.   Yes I will be smiling.

I always knew I was blessed with my Hubby who has supported and loved me from the day I got this, he has been  my rock and knows how to let me be and when to kick my butt.... I love being loved so well!

My son, who I have always felt bad for, has never known life without MS..  He has not once voiced a bad word about it or shown anger to me over the MS, it is something that I am so proud of, as it certainly isn't the norm, especially in a child and as a teenager.  He has supported me in so many little ways that brings tears to my eyes and makes my heart warm.   I wish life for him would of been different, especially for a few bad years when my MS was not in control, but it also brought good to our lives.   I got to stay home and raise him, and the one thing I have always thanked MS for is that I do not take good days for granted and when they come I live them.  Scott and I had days when cleaning and cooking were put aside to play and enjoy the day.    It is only fitting that the life partner he chose, Janelle, does the same, she is always willing to pitch in but treats me like I can do anything.  I am a very proud Mom, and am loved well.  

I want to thank everyone for your support, it has meant the world to me, especially over the blogging, this was way out of my comfort zone.   I was encouraged to include my struggles with MS through this, and it's something I wasn't comfortable with, but am glad that I opened up.  I have grown doing this, I will continue to cycle till I can't
and look forward to seeing many new trails and loving the journey of life.  Ask me if I'm smiling... My life is good..

Much love, and thanks to everyone.

Theresa..

Accident derails finish for two weeks!

A real reminder this week that I am burnt out, and my body really needs a break.  I took about 4 days off when I got home from our holiday, it took longer than normal to recover from this holiday, I usually allocate a couple of days, before I plan too much.   I did a couple of rides on the Cochrane trials, and enjoyed the fall colors.   I am beginning to understand that color feeds my soul.   Looking at the trees, I love having all the shades of green, yellow, orange and red.  Such a change from the many different colors of green.  I do love fall, my favorite season.  I also enjoyed listening to the leaves crunching under my tires.   I missed all the paved trails from the holiday but enjoyed the feeling of home, and watching the birds getting ready for winter.

On Saturday I decided to head to Calgary for a change of pace and Wes joined me.     My original plan was just about 25 kms, but we got past the zoo and decided to check out some of the nose hill creek trail....   I'm turning into my hubby, I love new trails, it was awesome following the creek, and in one spot there  is an awesome view of the airplanes landing.   I have never had a better view of this before in my life, I look forward to going there again and having a coffee and just enjoy the beauty of the planes landing and circling the city.  We turned around after a quick dip into Golden Acres to make sure the toilet worked and than headed back.  I wanted to finish in Cochrane, so needed to head home to I could get to the 1500 on my odometer along the Bow River.    As we headed into downtown Calgary, we came across a festival which is really where I actually finished if I took in account the kilometers I missed due to my wires being broken on my odometer a couple of times.    It was only fitting that there was coffee and music playing to celebrate this with me, of course only Wes and I in our minds thought they were celebrating my victory.

 As I enjoyed this I realized that biking brings its joys that you wouldn't get by driving, you come across activities happening in parks that I would even know were on if it weren't for the cycling.   I love the joy of hearing children's laughter, family's enjoying time together and youth being young!    Then to make sure I knew Calgary was really celebrating my victory, when we got to the other side of downtown, china town was having one as well!

I love these grasses, they remind me of the prairies and the peace of them blowing in the wind..... I am adding this just because I can!

  When we got back to the car, I had actually put in over 50 kms. and only had 15 left to officially end my journey.   I shed a couple of tears as in my heart I knew I had accomplished my goal, but according to the official record (odometer) I had 15 more to go.  I just knew I would get it done on Sunday.  Ask me if I was smiling!

Sunday came and was heading to do the ride that I call going to blow the stink off, I planned it so that I could get done by the bench that's behind my house so that I could always go there and enjoy the moment of finishing this journey.     Wes joined me again, we chatted about this yesterday and we figure Wes had done close to maybe half of the ride with me.   I was glad to have him today!    I have been pushing it this week, and knew my body was tired, but just wanted to "get er done" and then rest up for a couple of weeks.    We headed down near the Rodeo grounds to get to the creek to head home, I got down the hill and stopped as I can't jump curbs with my bike.  My left leg collapsed due to fatigue and because my balance was off I, in slow motion fell on my right side but landed on a metal channel on the back side of a steel sign.  It sliced below my knee about 1/2" wide to the bone and 2" long.   Wes had a first aid kit and thankfully put gauze in it.  Lucky for us there was a very kind man who was there for a slow pitch tournament who came over to help, because my fused foot was twisted in my bike and we couldn't get me up.   The kind man ended up taking me to acute  care, where I got 14 stitches (two layers) and was told no cycling for 14 days when stitches hopefully will be taken out. Don't you just love it when decisions are made for you?  As I told the cute doctor as he was stitching me up, I now have a permanent scar (free tattoo) marking this occasion!   You know how you slack off, I didn't have my phone with me nor have I ever carried a first aid kit with me, times have changed and I always will.  Thanks Peter for you kindness, much appreciated.  I always seem to get the support when I need it!  Life is good. 

Here's a picture of it after the stitches and no blood!   Notice I may of ruined my favorite socks.

In my dreamworld I'm done my cycle ride, at home with no stitches and having a cold beer on the deck celebrating my accomplishment!   Oh and sun is shining,birds singing, and I am at goal weight and my bike isn't twisted.   

Have a safe happy day!.

Theresa...

Car over cliff... just to ditch a cycle run!

Break didn't last long.. as Bike Bros, called on Monday and had my bike fixed.   Good thing I took it in as they put on a new de-railer for me, but also I had worn out a brake pad that they fixed.   Took it out for a test drive and I'm in love with my bike...  Wes figured I should take it easy until our holiday and not do any on the red path to dirty the chain etc.   He changed his mind on Thursday when we went to A&W Cruisin' for a Cause and had a teen burger for lunch.   Finally I got a benefit for having MS, when we went in, I got a free coffee as one of the girls that works there said to the workers "this is why we do this is for people like her, she has MS".   Known Shirley for over 20 years... thanks for the free cofffee..  Tasted awesome.

We headed to my favorite place to cycle on friday and arrived at our rented home on Saturday.  A couple joined us for the week and were planning on doing some biking with me.   Three of us were going to head out for a small ride, Saturday before supper.  I just can't believe what some people will do to ditch going for a cycle with me.  Now I know I've been a bit focused.( Wes says Anal...i.e,- focused to the extreme) but I thought this was going to the extreme to get out of a bike ride!  With joking aside, no one was hurt, the vehicle was empty going over the cliff, and it didn't hurt anyone when it landed on the road.

The day was Blessed with good fortune that no one was hurt.

This could be a longer blog than normal, as I love cycling down in this area and it's going to be hard not to keep rambling, also took lots of pictures and will try hard not to bore you!.

Little history, friends of the Coeur D'alene (CDA) trail is around 115 kms, through a valley that is a rails to trails trial.   Beautiful scenery and little elevation, except for the last few kms.   Centennial trail is a trail through Idaho and Washington, that is close to 100kms that joins Spokane to CDA,  it has more elevation changes and reminds me of the cycling near Canmore, and is awesome as well.   These trails are paved, well  maintained and have loads of  clean bathrooms on them.   Except for the areas going through town, you feel like you out in the middle of nowhere.   Here's an example of an outhouse on the trail, it is a luxury one, as it's the east start of the Centennial trail in Idaho.  Outhouses are important, I like to use them all!

Wes and I cycled 60 kms of new trails on Sunday, and started out early as I just can't cycle in the heat.   We didn't see any wild life, but cycled by a river for awhile and through a couple of small towns, it felt great to get a ride in since I hadn't really cycled too much in the last few days.  I had energy left at the end so did some repeat of the trail that we did the year before and got lucky and saw a couple of moose. The following day we changed our plan as we started out later than normal so we cycled the Centennial trial and just headed right out from the home we rented.   I was a little concerned as it was UPHILL to the start of the trail, and I was concerned I couldn't do it.  Now I have 3 levels that I talk about when going uphill (workout, lung burner, and I'm going to cough up a lung), this ended being a lung burner, and it followed the lake, the views were breathtaking, and you just get to enjoy it more on a bike, it was only 8kms to the east start point of the trail.  We turned round and cycled to the west outskirts of the city. (CDA)  It was great, we followed the lake, then through the downtown.   Wes noticed a bikini but nothing for me to report on :-(       The day reminded me that fall is coming, we cycled by the University and the students were starting, summers always seem to go by too fast.    On this cycle ride I hit the 1300 kms mark and here's a picture of where I was.    When I talk about cycling the lake it's hard to put it in words, I hope you get a feel of it by seeing it.

The next day we took Owen with us and repeated part of the trial that we did last year, that was our favorite.   It was a reminder that the time you go certainly changes your views.   This year was later in the year so even though we saw ospreys, bald eagles they weren't busy feeding their young, but we saw water lilies in bloom that were spectacular.   We also got to hear moose calling each other, we assumed it was for mating.   The weather was perfect, no wind and not real hot, so it was an easy cycle.   When we were done, Wes and I decided to drive to the point on the Centennial trail (west end of CDA) where we ended the day before and see if we could hit Post Falls or the border.    Now it was HOT... 29 degrees, and the pavement was so black and hot, and and it seemed all uphill.   Now I was determined to get to at least Post Falls,  we realized later down the trail that the reason it was so black was because they were resurfacing it.   My legs were like jelly and I could hardly feel my feet on my pedals, I knew I should stop, as I still needed to get back, Wes said only 2.3 more kms to a Starbucks in Post Falls....  I was determined, but once again, a decision was made for me as we ran into the resurfacing vehicle and the trail was closed.   Ask me if I was smiling!    We turned around and it was mainly downhill, it wasn't just that I was tired that it felt so hard to cycle... I was happy to be heading back to the car.   Earlier in the day I had lost around 8kms again,(broken wire), as I had leaned my bike when taking a bathroom break and didn't check the odometer soon enough... Kind of felt like I was getting break because of that.  Oh life is still  good!

The following day we had great intentions of doing some of the Centennial trial in Washington along the river, we anticipated doing some that we had enjoyed the year before.   I got into some quilt shops and spent way to much time looking around that we ran out of time before we were to meet for supper.   I took a much deserved break from the bike seat...  Bum happy, legs sad, they prefer to cycle than walk.

On the last day of our trip we were doing the last and east end leg of the Friends of the CDA trail and it was 12 kms uphill, we had conflicting reports from other cyclists we had meet on the trails on how difficult it would be.  We drove to the state park and started there and slowly began climbing, it was through a narrow gap and there was quite a drop on the side.  It was all forested and we came across three deer on the trail.    I was a tad nervous, as we were in black bear country and because we started early we hadn't passed anyone on the trial.   It soon passed and just enjoyed the scenery.  It was what I would call a workout, and certainly not worth fretting about the uphill.   My lungs didn't  burn, like they did when I did the centennial trail to Higgins point.   I felt like I was cheating when I turned around and got to coast downhill.   Yes I was smiling!  We continued to the mile long bridge that crossed the lake and than turned around.   It was sad to put the bikes on the rack, knowing that I wouldn't be back to cycle the area again till next year.    I love it here, it's my spot!.....   I have 100 kilometers left on my journey and have reached the half way point on my goal of fundraising.    The cycling is easier.than fundraising..   When I arrived home, I had a beautiful card waiting for me with a bike on it telling me how proud they are to be my friend and believing in me that I could do this.  It's meant the world to me and arrived just when I needed it, after a very long tiring week.   Weird to say but there is a part of me, that is sad that the end is coming and knowing that I could get it done in a week.   There is a part of me that doesn't want it to end....  which makes no sense as cycling  will always be a part of my life as long as my health lets me, and as my wonderful perfect hubby says he then will buy be a bike with three wheels so I can keep on cycling.    How can you not love him...  Here are a couple of photos of the last day!   Enjoy.

   The pictures don't do the trails justice and I have only a few hundred more, oh how I could bore you!











In my dreamworld I can see Winnipeg it so close that I can smell it!   I have to cycle through the city and just to other side in order to complete the 1500 kms.    Mom and Dad put the coffee on, and how I would love a feed of pickerel....  I will soon see the hospital I was born in, and will enjoy the feeling that I accomplished something that only a few years ago I wouldn't even dream
 of doing....  hugs to all!

Theresa