Cycled to Ajax... Wiped out, saw John

Today I cycled approximately 70km along a beautiful waterfront bike trail to Ajax, Ontario and back. The trip took around 3 hours and 45 minutes, which includes all the traffic stops, and accidental detours.

On the way back I faced 50km/hr winds which really slowed me down. John and I have resolved to bike west to each which means the winds will likely be at our backs more often than not. This should save us considerable time. The topography of Canada is also more favourable as there will me more downhill sections than uphill:

It's a no-brainer, really.

Oh, also, today I wiped out pretty bad. As I was coming to a bridge on the trail, I realised I was going a little fast, and I applied the breaks a little too hard as I hit a bump, and flipped over the handrail landing on my head. I really scraped up my shoulder pretty bad:

Luckily I was wearing a helmet, or I'd probably be concussed. Funny thing is that I saw John shortly after I fell and was gaining my composure. As I spoke with him I wasn't sure whether or not I was imagining him, and suffering from a head injury or whether he was real. Pretty sure he was real though. I guess when he reads this he can confirm this encounter.

Finally, I really must give a big thanks to those who have donated money to our Sick Kids Fundraising page. People have been very generous indeed, and I have no doubt we'll reach our $1500 goal. Keep it coming!

- Matti

Sick Kids - Our Official Charity

Well, it's official: Sick Kids has now officially approved our event so that we can start collecting donations! John and I have agreed on a very ambitious goal of $1500. We think we can make it, but we will need all the support we can get. Maybe we'll even surpass it. Visit our official online fundraising page by clicking here.

The Sick Kids Foundation works wonders:

Please donate.

If you would like to donate in person on a paper pledge sheet with cash or cheque, please contact us either on Facebook, or by email: mcowan@alumni.uoguelph.ca or xxxjohnb@gmail.com . If you'd like to send us the money via snail-mail that can also be arranged.

Thanks for your support. It means a lot.

Our Bikes! Sick Kids!?

Well, we've got our bikes.

John purchased a 2011 Sirrus Elite a couple months ago, and I purchased a 2012 Sirrus Elite just this past week. They're essentially the same bike, except John's looks way cooler. He's got a sleek, matte, smoky finish and mine's all glossy. Let's trade. Other than that, they're essentially the same: fast, comfortable hybrids that will hopefully require little maintanence on our journey. We still have to purchase and find panniers, repair kits, and other gear (tents), but our biggest and most essential item is now out of the way. Exciting.

2012 Sirrus Elite Hybrid

2011 Sirrus Elite Hybrid

We're purchased hybrids because we figrue they'll hold up better and require less maintenance and because we may have to go off road for portions of the trip. It may simply be faster to go offroad and such cannot really be accomplished with just a road bike.

We're trying to get Sick Kids hospital to officially authoirze us to collect donations for them. We've been playing telephone tag, but I don't anticipate it will be a problem. Hopefully it's all sorted out soon.

-Matti