BikeforMike

A dear and lifelong friend of mine passed away from cancer in 2004 when he was 17. Inspired by the courage he showed in battling the disease for three and half long years and urged by the desire to let his family know that his friends are still thinking about him- that we will never forget him- I decided to cycle across Canada and raise money in his name. Being straight out of university with no cycling experience, I carried 45lbs of gear and pedaled 7486kms in 46 days. I started on the shores of Vancouver and ended on the shores of St. Johns and did it alone and unsupported; there was no van following me. I began on June 1st, 2009, and ended on July 16th, 2009. On average, I biked 175km a day. My efforts have raised almost $32,000 to date, money which will help improve the treatment and care of children with cancer. Through all the hills (and mountains), headwinds, rain, sweat, tears and smiles, there remained but one constant: Tim Hortons. It was here where my morning routine was established, which I followed whenever I stayed in a town with a Tim Hortons (almost always!). The routine was as follows: 1) arrive at Tim Hortons between 5-7am. 2) lean bike against window so I could see it. 3) order a large coffee, 6 chocolate chip muffins and 2 blueberry bagels toasted with butter. 4) ask that the 6 muffins not be put in a box, but a big bag instead. 5) tell them its okay if they get a little squished in the bag; Ill be too hungry to mind later today. 6) drink my coffee, eat both bagels, eat 2-3 muffins and talk to the people who came up to me and asked me if I was biking across Canada. 7) use the bathroom and brush my teeth. 8) ask an employee to fill up my 3 water bottles with water and ice. 8) begin another long day of cycling. Tim Hortons became a place not just to eat and drink, but a place to prepare myself for the day ahead and a place to share my story with others. Please visit www.bikeformike.ca for more information.