Wednesday, September 30, 2009

When I first started on this journey I really had no idea what I was
getting into.

After months of preparation and not as much training as I thought I
would need, I, along with 31 others, completed the Tour de North on
September 17 in Prince Rupert, with the wind blowing strong and the rain
pouring down.

However, like most of us if I had to do it again I would gladly accept
the challenge.

During the ride we were met by communities across the northwest with
overwhelming hospitality. Small towns like Fraser Lake, with a
population of 1,354, raised more than $7,500, not to mention the amazing
pot-luck meal arranged for us.

These are the things that made this experience a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.

However the ride itself is only half the story.

During the entire trip we heard numerous times about Camp Goodtimes. The
medically supported children's summer camp funded solely by the four
bike tours across B.C. We heard about these campers and how they are
reclaiming what cancer has taken from them and the joyous memories they
take away every year.

This past August Camp Goodtimes was home to 410 campers, where they were
able to do things they wouldn't normally get to do, as well as
interacting with others who have been through the same battle with cancer.

While on the ride we collected a lot of funds from each community as we
rolled in on our bikes, decked out in our flashy green vests. However
the one thing people didn't get to see is the ultimate outcome from
their donations. They didn't get to see the fact that without tours like
this, Camp Goodtimes would not be able to function. And that's really
what it was all about, giving these kids the means to be kids and forget
about what ails them and to live their lives the way they should be lived.

Being one of these riders really gave me a new perspective on what it
means to support cancer research. I've heard of people in the past doing
some sort of epic event to help cancer, but I never saw myself being
part of such a journey.

However after traveling the 864 kilometres from Prince George to Prince
Rupert, and after gelling with a group of people that really were some
of the finest human beings I have ever had the pleasure to meet, I
realized that what we were doing was much larger than just a bike ride.
It was a journey of life, a way to help find a cure for a disease that
has taken many far too early.

Taking part in this ride was one of the best experiences of my life and
there is no way to explain the sense of pride I felt for all of us after
that last hill into Rupert, the sense of joy and accomplishment after
hearing from Jasper, a young cancer survivor that shared his thoughts
with us while standing in the cold Prince Rupert rain the last day of
the ride. Listening to his words, about how he battled and won the fight
with cancer, and how rides like these really do make a difference, and
the difference was standing right in front of us. Showing us the living
proof of our efforts and the efforts of all those who feel the need to
stand up and fight for cancer for the life within.

I would once again like to thank all those who helped the cause, and
those who supported me and the Cops for Cancer right from the get go,
their generosity is second to none and it is something I will never forget.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Tour de North snacks/recipes

Tour de North recipes from Karen's kitchen!

Monster Cookies

1 cup butter 1Tbsp. vanilla

2 1/2 cups brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp. corn syrup or molasses

2 cups white sugar 9 cups rolled oats

2 cups peanut butter 2 cups M & M's or Smarties

6 eggs 2 cups Chocolate chips

4 tsp. baking powder

In a large bowl cream the butter, sugar and peanut butter until smooth. Beat the eggs in, one at a time. Stir in the soda, vanilla and corn syrup. Add the oats, chocolate pieces and chocolate chips. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto greased cookies sheets. Bake in 350F approx 12-14 min.

I bake in convection at 325 for 10 min. Makes 8-12 dozen. You may play alot with this recipe instead of the 9 cups of oats try 2 cups oats, 2 cups rice krispies, 2 cups whole wheat flour and 3 cups all bran cereal.

**this recipe was doubled for Tour de North 2009 and 18 doz. cookies were made and devoured!

Cornflake squares

3/4 cup margarine/butter

1 - 400g pkg marshmallows

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup whole almonds roasted

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup pumpkin seeds

2 cups (at least) cup up dried fruit (cranberries, papaya, apple, apricots, peaches, dates etc.) - I use at combo of at least 3 or 4 varieties

6 cups corn flakes

** I use unsalted nuts and roast them myself.

Melt margarine/butter and marshmallows - add almond extract and vanilla. Mix in other ingredients. Spread onto large cookie sheet and cut into squares. Freezes well.

** For Tour de North, make two batches of this.

Eatmore Bar

1 cup creamed honey

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup smooth peanut butter

2 cups salted peanuts chopped

Melt the honey and chocolate chips in a medium saucepan over med/low heat, Once chips are melted turn up temp to med high stir continually until mixture begins to boil, remove from heat add the peanut butter and stir until well blended, then add the chopped peanuts. Spread onto alum foil lined small cookie sheet or jelly roll pan and chill approx 20 min, slice into squares. Freezes and stores well!

** Tour de North = recipe was doubled and two batches were made.

Energy Bars

1/4 cup unsalted butter 1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup raisins (sultanas) 1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup apple juice 1/2 tsp. sea salt

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 eggs lightly whisked

2 1/4 cups oats 1/3 cup honey

Preheat oven to 180C, lightly butter or line an 8x8 inch square pan with parchment paper (I double recipe and place in 9x13 pan).

Place the sultanas ina small bowl and stir in apple juice and vanilla. Set aside for 20 min for the raisins to plump. Melt the butter in a large saute pan over med heat. Add the oats, and nuts and saute, stirring constantly for 3-4 min or until aromatic and a shade darker. Stir in the cinnamon and salt and saute for an additional minute. In a large bowl, stir the eggs and honey into the sultana mixture. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until well mixed. spread the mixture into prepared pan and bake for approx 30 min or until golden and pulling away from edges of pan. cool and then slice into bars. keeps up to 1 week. store in air tight container

** Tour de North = recipe doubled and made twice - one with nuts and one without!

Cocoa Krispie Cake (Gluten Free)

3/4 cup corn syrup 1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar 2 tbsp. Milk

3/4 cup peanut butter 2 Tbsp milk

2 tbsp. butter 1 1/2 cups icing sugar

4 1/2 cups Rice Kristpies 2/3 cup cocoa

Cook corn syrup and sugar over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles. Remove from heat and blend in peanut butter and 2 tbsp butter. Combine with Rice Krispies and stir until well coated. Press 2/3 of mixture into a 9x13 inch pan. , prepare chocolate filling by melting butter with milk over low heat; sift in icing sugar and cocao blend thoroughly. Spread filling over krispie base. Sprinkle balance of krispie mixture over chocolate filling. refrigerate a few hours or over night an then slice.

** Tour de North = made 1 batch of this, but once "gluten free" marked lid was removed from container it was devoured by the hungry....

Puffed Wheat Cake

1/3 cup butter or margarine

1/3 cup corn syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tbsp. cocoa

6 cups puffed wheat

combine butter, syrup, cocoa, and sugar in sauce pan. Stir and bring to a boil over med heat.

Pour over puffed wheat and mix well. spread onto greased 8x8 in pan. cool and then slice.

Tour de North - saved this one for the end and 2 double bathes were made but not completely eaten....

Rice Krispie squares

1/2 cup margarine/butter

1 pkg 400g mini marshmallows

melt over med low heat, add 1 tsp of vanilla, stir in 6 cups rice krispies, spread into pan.

for fun add 1 cup smarties and stir in after other ingredients are mixed and mixture has cooled slightly to prevent smarties from melting.

Tour de North size it - make this 4 times!

Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup butter - softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

2 Tbsp water

2 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 cups oatmeal

1 1/2 cups raisins

cream sugars, butter, egg, water and vanilla till fluffy. Combine flour, soda, cinnamon and add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats and raisins. Drop by tablespoonful onto cookie sheet and bake 350F 12-15 min.

For Tour de North - this recipe was doubled.

The End! :)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Rolling down Hwy 16

Day 6 Photos

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Day 5 Photos

Day 4 Photos

Another photo in the press

Tour de North underway

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Day 2 Photos

3 days done 4 to go

We arrived safely in Burns Lake early this afternoon. The first 2 days were ridden under the hot northern sun with more than a few riders sporting sun burns. The team is riding well and although we have had 5 flat tires and 4 minor spills there is nothing else to report other than 2 successful days of fundraising in Vanderhoof, Ft. St. James and Fraser Lake. Bob Zayonc, the first civilian rider to participate in entire Tour has done very well and received a special award from the rest of the team after he completed the first day. Although day 2 is the longest day - 170 km - day 4 is considered the "Queen Stage" because of the big climb up Hungry Hill. I managed to snap a few pics on day 2 ...

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Northern View - Terry Mitchell set for third Tour de North

http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_north/thenorthernview/community/57665897.html

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Another newspaper story

Tour de North meets Tour de Rock

Saturday, August 29, 2009

schedule

Ride Itinerary
2009

Date Location Distance

Friday 11th September: Prince George - Vanderhoof 100km
Saturday 12th September: Vanderhoof - Fort St. James-Fraser Lake 165km
Sunday 13th September: Fraser Lake - Burns Lake 69km
Monday 14th September: Burns Lake - Houston - Smithers 144km
Tuesday 15th September: Smithers - New Hazelton 67km
Wednesday 16th September: New Hazelton - Terrace 137km
Thursday 17th September: Terrace - Prince Rupert 144km
Friday 18th September: Depart Prince Rupert to home detachments
DAY DEPART TIME ARRIVE TIME

1 Sandman – PG 830 RE/MAX – PG 845
1 RE/MAX - PG 930 Tim Horton's- Col Heights 1000
1 Prince George 1020 Bednesti 1230
1 Bednesti 1330 Vanderhoof 1600
2 Vanderhoof 800 Fort St.James 1100
2 Fort St. James 1200 Fraser Lake 1730
3 Fraser Lake 900 Burns Lake 1330
4 Burns Lake 830 Houston 1200
4 Houston 1300 Smithers 1645
5 Smithers 900 Moricetown 1100
5 Moricetown 1300 Hazelton 1440
6 Hazelton 800 Kitwanga 1100
6 Kitwanga 1200 Terrace 1600
7 Terrace 800 Prince Rupert 1430

The Tour de North by the numbers

Let me start by saying that we will ride at least 864 km not 826 like someone keeps telling the media. The past 2 years we have ridden 864 km so I am not sure where the other number came from but I guess its safe to say that if you say something enough times with authority then people will believe it.
Another thing that amazed me is that we actually end up getting quite a few flats - 21 last year and more the year before. In 2007, I rode over a huge staple but luckily my tire went flat just as we were pulling into a rest stop on the edge of Vanderhoof so I ended up not having to chase back to group..
We have been pretty lucky as far as crashes go. Last year was uneventful but in 2007 we had 3 people go down, 1 tipped over, 1 got caught in the gravel shoulder and the last one ran into the back of another rider.

Lots of people ask how fast we ride: the average speed is between 25 and 29 km/h, but there are times when we battle the wind and slow to less than 20km/h and when the wind is at our backs we can cruise at over 35 km/h. Last year Steve Smith recorded the fastest speed at almost 85 km/h going down 6 Mile Hill outside of Burns Lake.

This year I am going to keep track of a few more things and will report them here after the Tour.