Thursday October 9

Ralf's Ride: The Final Blog

 Ralf successfully reached his goal to raise $15,000.00 towards building Oslers' new Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness. Ground has already been broken and the new site is underway. 

A couple of afterthoughts from 11 weeks and 2 days ago.

The Top 10 (holy grail) from Ralf's last ride for the Boston Foundation for Sight was a valuable tool for this journey. I kept a copy of it with me and referred to it often. More so to remind Ralf when breaking specific cardinal rules when cycling with a support vehicle. 

To add to the Top 10: 

11) a TERRYCLOTH headband is a must. It served a useful purpose of absorbing the copious amount of sweat generated from Ralf's forehead. Of course I will not be wearing it again in my spin classes.

12) (a) proof read email about fundraiser before it goes to print. I would suggest they put Ralf's last name on it so people know who Ralf is. The picture of Ralf on the fundraising card shows a cyclist with a bike helmet on, 3 weeks of facial hair and 15 pounds lighter … Ralf who?

        (b) if having a problem making contributions on the website, which wasn't easy to navigate, the fundraising committee should use another phone number to call and NOT Ralf's Blackberry # !!!!!!!!

        (c ) a point and click method for making contributions.

13) Never say NEVER … Ralf is now planning his final (??) cycle. The last leg on his "Bucket List to cycle across Canada before 65 years of age" is tentatively scheduled for next summer. He will cycle from Tofino, Vancouver Island to Calgary, Alberta. 

                                     

                                      "You're off to great places.

                                        Today is your day.

                                        Your mountain is waiting,

                                        so get on your way."

                                                                  -Dr. Seus

                                            

Thank you for your financial generosity:

Joseph and Janet Lasko

Cynthia Waite

Dave and Jacquie Bouchard

Jacqueline Ritchie

Jason and Gayle Capp

Onita Dey

Anna Alonzi

Andrew and Lydia Harvey

Nick and Donna Wheeler

Walter Leminski

Frank and Davida Clegg

Prouse Dash & Crouch

Dave and Marion Webb

Brian and Dianne Chase

Dennis and Alana da Silva

Margaret Kitely

Susan Kitely

Mike and Anne Cascagnette

Norm and Pauline Jackson

Rob and Heather (Cass) Kerr

Robert Arbuckle

Ron Austen

Denis and Rosalyn Gluck

Uwe and Barb Jarchow

Richard Powers

Anthony Checchia

Carrie Jolie 

Carrie Simpson

Cecil Bechamp

Christina Hand

Erika Jarchow

Heidi Crann

Ingrid Mills

Jason and Christine Dowd

Ralf and Valerie Jarchow

Richard Doherty

Sabrina Crocker

Victor and Maureen Amatruda

Warren and Sarah Arbuckle

Wendy Peyer

R.J. Clegg

Yolanda Motley

Brian and Adrienne Wakabyashi

Hugh and Sharon Caldwell

Helen Kemsley

Anonymous

As of today, October 9th, $15,102.00 has been raised. Other people have expressed their intentions of donating to this worthwhile cause so we are hopeful that this amount continues to grow.

Once again a BIG thank you for supporting Ralf's Ride. You have helped to change "the future of health care in this community".

Blessings,

Valerie and Ralf

                            "Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving."

                                                                                               

                                                                                                                           -Albert Einstein

Sunday July 20

Atho' ride actually finished yesterday I just want to make mention of this … Ralf and I ran this am!!!!! Not that Ralf needs to get more exercise but we did (this may be the first and last time for me). Toured the HMS Kingston- interesting. Had breakfast and a slow walk back to hotel to change before our visit to Cavendish Beach- old honeymoon stop 34 years ago. We had the BEST hotdogs there. I've never forgotten how they tasted 34 years ago. Note- do not make a visit to Cavendish Beach for their hotdogs as they are nothing like what they used to be. I knew as soon as I saw them they were different. Why did they change them? I'd rather have a Costco dog and I don't have to drive 1500 km. 

When getting into car, driver's doors not locked- yikes, I guess in my haste and getting bags and stuff out of car I didn't secure car after I parked it on the street in front of hotel (Ralf probably in hotel bar having a beer). When taking note of what was and was't there, I first noticed my iPhone charger was still there (whew -lol); not to mention all our other valuables - Ralf's bike, Nikon camera, cooler, gingersnap cookies - guess we bought a lot of them … and they still tasted good :). As safe as PEI is I will lock car tight tonight!

Ralf going to make appointment when back home with the best dentist in southern Ontario- Dr. Joseph Lasko - to fix loose teeth caused by the inferior state of asphalt. The term washboard does not describe the deplorable conditions of the highways in some parts … most parts. And Ralf will ask Dr. Joe if he can do anything for the bum sores (? local anaesthetic ?)

Day 9, Saturday July 19

Want to make mention that this is the 3rd time I have written this blog- Day 9. I have absolutely no idea where my 10,000 word blog went. I will attempt to write this blog again but a shorter condensed version. Ralf is sitting up with me until I finish it. As you have probably guessed, Ralf has completed his bike tour hours ago. I'm 'walking on egg shells' as I type this. Megan had advised me to do blog on notepad so as not to lose it but we see how that turned out. So I'm doing blog the way I've done the other ones. Enough said ...
To get to Confederation Bridge from the Little Shemogue Inn you turn left out of laneway and cycle/ drive for 20k. 10k was gravel. Marko  said you will see the bridge the entire way. No cyclists or pedestrians permitted on bridge so Ralf had to put bike and himself in car . It was a 13k drive across Confederation Bridge and then just 50k to Charlottetown. I dropped Ralf off at the gas station just as you drove off the bridge. They had an antiquated car wash there so I thought my car could use some sprucing up. The suction was so strong going through the drying cycle it almost ripped my (r) windshield wiper off. I thought I'd have to use the duct tape I brought.
This was the hardest cycle for Ralf. It was nothing but up hill and down hills for 50k. But to call them hills is an understatement. It reminded me of cycling in Vermont. At least when Ralf was cycling the Appalachian mountains it levelled out on top before it went down. In PEI when you reached the top , you're heading down before you blink. Cycling through NB Ralf would have me meet him with water every 20k. It started out that way in PEI but Ralf  quickly requested the water breaks at 15k then 10k .
PEI is so beautiful, so lush- so not New Brunswick.
When we reached Charlottetown it was so disappointing. No sign saying  'Welome to Charlottetown'. We needed to stand beside something for photo - op. We met at Tim Hortons to map out another location to end our journey. We are booked at the Rodd Hotel in downtown Charlottetown. So we thought we would make that our final stop and spot for photo - op. So Ralf got back on his bike, I in my clean, shiny car and off we drove to end Ralf's Ride at the Rodd Hotel.
Ralf and I are going to start our vacation tonight with a lobster dinner and some bubbly. Then tour PEI with Ralf IN car for a day, spend 2 days in Bar Harbour, 2 days in Kennebunkport and make our way back home stopping in Kingston briefly.
Will blog later when I have final amount raised for the new Brampton Hospital and give advice for next (: and last :) cycle. FYI, Ralf plans to cycle from Vancouver to Calgary so that by his 65th he will have cycled across Canada.
Once again Ralf is fast asleep and I am burning the midnight oil writing this. I am so not a night person so going to turn in.
                                          "Good night John boy"

Approaching Confederation Bridge

Driving over Confederation Bridge 

Almost lost windshield wiper in PEI car wash 

Yay we made it!! 

Rodd Hotel in Charlottetown 

Before and after map...

Day 8, Friday July 18

Ralf to bathroom several times in am. Apparentally unbeknownst to me he was up to the bathroom several times through the night. Ralf said wings and beer not the best diet for  Tour de New Brunswick. I on the other hand was fine ... Thank you for asking Ralf.
Went to exercise room after breakfast - just to look at it, not to work out. Brought workout clothes and shoes, that will never be  soiled in sweat on this journey.
Ralf happy to discover that bicycles permitted on major highways. So he will be travelling to Sussex on hwy 1. Will meet up with Ralf in Petitcodiac, approximately 32 k away.
As I drive down highway I'm thinking about this past week. How sitting in a car for a week can pass so quickly. Where does the time go? I feel like I've experienced being a homeless person living out of their car. If I had to sleep,in my car it would have been a tight ( and smelly) fit with Ralf's bike, his gear, suitcases, cooler holding the water bottles, bike gear/ pump/ tool box, and Quebec cans of maple syrup.
#9  2011 Top 10 list is working. NO -foul odours inside car ... Hallelujah!
Pulled over to side of highway for photo- op - didn't want Ralf to stop- he stopped. Said his cleat was loose and needed to tighten it. Thank goodness I pulled over ... could have been another 'technical difficulty' moment. Transport trucks whizzing by - closer than I would have liked. Before Ralf took off he needed to apply more bum butter to chaffed area. He forgot to apply first thing this am - really Ralf? Putting hand in his crotch at side of highway to apply bum butter - stop smiling Ralf (lol)!
Ralf listening to my (old) iPod . From start of tour the same song kept repeating for hours every day. Ralf can't remember name of song except that it was a bad song (must of been one of the kid's ... Robyn's). I am not a tech geek but I was able to put iPod on TIT shuffle mode - Triathlete in Training. Kids downloaded my favourite songs when I did a mini triathlon years ago ( FYI came in 3rd). He's going to hear some wicked songs from my favourite musical Wicked.
Met Ralf in Petitcodiac. If the people reading this blog never get to Petitcodiac, don't bother, it's not worth the drive unless it's on your way (to nowhere). The highlight of this town is the This and That store that is going out of business. 40% off this and that but I didn't find any this or that that I needed so back to Irving gas station to await Ralf.
Enjoying the gingersnap cookies we bought at Mary's Bakery and Luncheonette a few days ago. Actually tasting better the longer they age ;)
Arrived in Moncton. Big (?) multicultural festival going on ( the Main Street). Had a great lunch at Piatto's- individual pizza of choice and a salad. Piatto means plate in Italian. This would be a great addition to any city especially Brampton .... not, never, nada happening unfortunately.
Ralf reports easiest cycle today- wind behind him all day; wide shoulders on highways, cool temperatures. Sussex to Port Elgin.
Port Elgin makes Petitcodiac look good. Bridge or treesel over river. Large group of boys gathered there ; some jumping off  highest point into river. Okay that's about it for Port Elgin except to make note that it must be the mosquito capital of Canada.
Drove to Little Shemogue Inn. Very quaint; very European. German owners - Marko and Jeanine Wensel. Had gourmet dinner; Nova Scotian blended bottle of white wine with 3 course meal. Sat a table for 2- reconverted sewing machine. All tables in inn a reconverted something.
After supper retired with liqueur to write blog. Ralf had a whiskey and crashed. I was so tired that I went to bed with blog unfinished. Started again this morning before breakfast and thank goodness I didn't finish blog. So many typos and unfinished sentences. Hate to look back on previous blogs as they may be the same way. I'm up late writing them while Ralf is sawing logs ...  geesh ...
While having a typical European breakfast I heard the Canadian tenors music playing. I thought how unusual to hear that music here and then I realizes I'm still in Canada. Guests here at the inn speak predominantly German, some French; 2 people speak a little English (Ralf and moi).
Okay ralf anxious to get a move on. Asked if he was sad that bike tour ending and you said "not at all".

No wind, asphalt good, flat terrain :)

 Wired for sound before heading out in Hwy 1 towards Moncton

...The road is long... the wind is at his back and so am I.

Day 7, Thursday July 17

Went down for lean continental breakfast and saw total of 4 women staying in motel- they were probably hiding last night from those raunchy men.
Opened car door to put suitcases in - WHEW ! - what smells ?!! EGAD - Ralf left wet socks and shoes in car overnight. Once again Ralf, cardinal rule #9  from Top 10  list 2011 " keep cycling shoes and socks double bagged when left overnight in car". Necessary to drive with windows open to air Escape out. Fortunately not raining today. Good- bye Florenceville, home of the McCain French fry. Don't think I will ever be returning.
Ralf unable to find his Bum Butter. Really needs to lather up. He thinks it fell out of suitcase last night when all his clothes fell out of suitcase. He didn't want to ask at front desk if anybody turned it in so when he rode off  I asked receptionist. No one turned it in; checked under car and nothing there.
Will buy a diaper rash cream (  Penaten ) at drugstore if I happen to see one.
Today it's a cloudy day but sun is peeking through. Half expected to see Noah on his ark yesterday.
Stopped at the Celtic Fox Coffee House - a coffee shop with a gallery of local artisans works. A hub of activity. Women, children, men of all ages. Think some of them were the local artists. Love the interaction of people in small towns. Ralf met up with me here but took off after he downed an ice tea. I lingered longer as I loved to hear the chitter chatter and exchanges of stories between the people. I had finished my coffee but I faked drinking coffee from an empty cup so I had reason to hang out longer. I just kept writing in my journal - they probably  thought I was a writer like J.k. Rowling. Men sitting outside, women and children sitting inside coffee house and R.K. Rowling.
Back in car, odour still lingering. Phone call from Ralf "technical difficulties" needs support vehicle to meet him as unable to pedal. Apparently shoe cleat broke off so can't clip in to pedal. Bike placed in car; off to bike shop (Savages) in Fredericton to get new clips for cycle shoes, new spare tire, a couple of tire tubes, Bum Butter, tune up as gears coated in mud and sludge.
3:00 bike good to go. No wind, asphalt good, flat road.  But bum extremely sore despite application of bum butter before leaving store. Ralf hoping to get a little TLC from nurse tonight as bum really sore. Nurse Valerie  rx'd  warm sitz bath in tub tonight and apply more bum butter.
No place to lodge tonight from where Ralf stopped cycle (7:45). In the middle of nowhere. So drove to Sussex- accommodation at Amsterdam Inn and Suites. 3 rooms left- lovely place. Went across street to have dinner -wings ,cold beer and decadent chocolate cake a la mode and whipped cream.
Tomorrow am we will drive back 45 min to pick up where Ralf left off (Coles Island).
Goal for tomorrow - push hard and get to Port Elgin. Almost there ( Charlottetown :)!

Day 6, Wednesday July 16

Left Best Western at 0800. Morning fog, light rain. Will meet up in St Leonard. Light rain turned into heavy down pour.Staying on hwy 144;  staying off hwy 2 aka Trans Canada hwy.

Lunch in Grand Falls. Ralf went ahead to get table; I went to ladies room. Aside from the usual, needed to wash hands and freshen up. Walked out to area overlooking the St John river. Plunked purse down, threw map on table and proceeded to sit down when I heard a voice, not Ralf's, "excuse mademoiselle " ... And I responded " oops,you're not Ralf". Ralf was sitting on opposite side of  room. Aside from the fact the gentleman was wearing a mauve shirt and tie, a blue outdoor jacket he did have silver hair. I think I would have eventually clued in I was at the wrong table. It's too early to have a drink (?) 11:30, 30 more minutes but who's counting ...1 Mississippi ,2 Mississippi ...
We each had a bowl of hot soup as day warranted it. I'm so glad I am in car. It's dry and warm in there. I hesitate putting window down when I meet up with Ralf as the rain gets in and makes my car wet. Imagine going threw a car wash with your windows down.
On Rte 105, Ralf  blew side wall of  back Kevlar tire that he's had since Michigan  2011. Thankful for support vehicle to his rescue with extra (new) tire. As soon as we get to Fredrickton tomorrow going to Savages to get spare tire.
Rte  105 scenic but road rough on tires. Deer crossed over hwy in front of me- unable to snap picture in time. Saw skunk scurrying down shoulder of hwy.
Highlight of day was  stopping at Mary's Bakery and Luncheonette for chilli and gingersnap cookies. Chilli was actually very good (think I've been in car too long)
Eventually arrived in Florenceviile Bristol, home of McCain family. Head office here,lots of potatoes and their private air strip. Staying in Florenceville Motel as well as a zillion hydro workers. Workers VERY loud, swearing and burping. If they were trying to impress me they didn't.  One room left, so we had to take it. Miss the ambience of the Quebec Chateau Frontenac.
Ralf taking suitcases out of car in teaming rain; his clothes emptied on pavement. "Oh, Val!" ... "Oh, Ralf!" Guess I never closed suitcase when getting out dry clothes at lunch... oops, sorry! Due to been wet all day, chaffing in places where sun doesn't shine. Rx . bum butter bid od.
Anne, every house up for sale by Exit here in NB.
Total km for today 140; rain all day, headwinds,  ++ detours.
Goal for tomorrow - sun (?) Fredrickton

Mary's Bake Shop

Day 5 Tuesday July 15

What a day!!!!!
Started out at 8.Goal was to reach Edmondston  New Brunswick by nightfall.
Starting at sea level, the first three hours was climbing .  It would be a tough day of cycling. Very few cycle shoulders; hugging highway and sharing it with huge semis.
Meeting up with Ralf every 10 k to provide water for hydration. Using old car rag to wipe face, his fac,. Will have to add rag to his dirty laundry tonite.
Ralf regretting every dessert he's ever had .
Waiting for Ralf in Rivière Blue. While waiting was bit near (r) eye by a bug. Ralf shows up and leans bike against car!!!!!!! If you remember my Top 10 list 3 years ago when Ralf was cycling from Calgary, # 7 on the list said "don't place bike against car- it's not a bike rack". Ralf's power aid drink splattered on my car when I opened door ... red dots all over car. Eventually Ralf left and I stayed behind to make notes. Seconds later, Ralf called and said meet him at top of hill. He sounded perturbed. I quickly left to join him. I thought he was either hit by a semi or had the infamous flat tire. None of the aforementioned. Ralf said I damaged his rear tire when I opened the door!!!! Rule # 7- don't lean your bike on my car. Tire was bent. Really?, could you not have cycled on it. So bike put in Escape, Ralf in front seat, driving to the nearest bike repair shop- Edmondston. Thank you Megan for finding repair shop on line. Went to Jessome's Source for Sports to their bicycle repair shop. Technician said the damage was not caused by me closing door on bike- rim of tire toast. "Apology accepted, Ralf!" New tire put on bike- metal fatigue . They only had one rim that would fit his bike  ... praise God ... God is having too much fun with Ralf's ride. What will tomorrow bring? This is turning out to be more stressful for me then Ralf. I may finish the ride starting tomorrow Ralf can blog and be my support vehicle ... easy peasy.
Hunkered down at the Best Western. Goal for tomorrow, undetermined; weather dependant.
Ttyl,xx

Bug bite in car... ouch!

Jessome'e Source for Sport's to repair bent rim

A selfie from carrying Ralf's flat tire...