Friday Thought

When we are really honest with ourselves we must admit our lives are all that really belong to us. So it is how we sue our lives that determines the kind of men [women] we are.

Cesar Chavez

As I ready myself for the weekend I am grateful for the past week.
1 I was able to maintain my intention to ride each day and I did.
2 I am grateful for the donations that are coming in to support me with my contribution.
3 I am grateful for the continued support by others to assist me with my intention. Without all of you it would not be as successful as it is. Thank you!

Thoughts for the Day

The photograph is a picture of a banner that was made by a class of grade six students at the GAP School about four years ago. It was presented to our school when the Principal was able to travel to Canada. I walk by it at least once a week in the Lower School hallway.

As I was looking at it today I was wondering what has become of the hands that made it. Have these children come closer to a dream of theirs or further away? Are they still at the GAP school? How has life changed for them or not?

My ride this morning at 5am was about directing myself to my dream and the contribution that I desire to make. The hands that made this banner are somewhere doing something...and it is all a good thing.

I am also reminded by this banner that the individuals who will be riding in this years Tour will be coming together to form a community for four months. During this time we will get to know each others in many ways and our hands will lend themselves to many tasks.

I truly believe that all who are on this ride are here for a reason. After all, we each have made the choices in our lives that have brought us toegther. When I think about the mathematical formula for this happening it makes me smile.

Questions asked by my students.

"Sir...how do you ride your bike such a long distance?"

Answer. "Because I can!"..."Actually it is because I ask myself what is my level of commitment to do this ride...what will it take to ensure I have as much success as possible and then I just do it."


"Sir...why do you care so much about the school in South Africa?"

" I care because, like yourselves, once you meet somebody they become real and not just an image on TV or a magazine. It becomes harder to just turn them off after you have connected and developed a relationship with them. I also sponsor a boy in grade five and he is very much in my mind each day."

"Sir...How can something like a bike ride make a difference in the world?"

"I am a believer that each action that I take has an effect on something or someone else. So my action may be the first drop in the ripple effect or it may add to the movement already created. I am also not attached to the outcome of my action. I trust that it will make a difference at some point."

"Sir...won't you get tired riding so far each day?"

" I imagine that I will! But I ask you how often you are tired just doing what you do in a day...and yet you continue to do what you need to do. Besides...there is a start and an end to the riding each day and I have no control on what will happen between the two points. All I can do is be aware of what is going on for me and hopefully respond and not react to the physical effort."

World Car Free Day - What an amazing day to ride..sun..warmth...water...wind...and an extra 10km

Wow! What a beautiful day it was to do my long ride.The wind was a headwind all the way out to the Burlington Skyway...which means it should have been a tailwind all the way back. If only nature was that predictable! NOPE...it was both. Oh well the sun and warmth and trail were amazing.

Tomorrow is to be as nice as today...nope no long ride...a sleep in and then a light ride on my indoor trainer.

I am grateful for all the things that came my way today to support me with my intention. I can only trust that I was able to support somebody today as well...whether I knew it or not.

The bottom image is part of the waterfront trail that I use for rides...a very peaceful palce to stop for a breather.

Words of encouragment from Get Ahead Children and staff...all spelling and grammar is the way I received them...enjoy!

FROM UNATHI KONKWANE – GR 10.1 (COLLEGE)
Dear Jamie

Jamie, we would like to encourage you on your mission and hope that you will accomplish it very soon. We really appreciate your efforts in trying to extend our opportunities.

Your efforts don’t fall down on fine sand, but are held up high at our school and hope that everything you have planned will be successful. Determination, courage and faith are what you need on your trip as well as a positive approach towards it. Doing this might be impossible for others, but here at Get Ahead we urge you to keep your head up high and persevere when things get tough and to think of us as your number one supporters.

Do not loose hope but rather gain it, so you can go through it effectively and always be in a good mood in order to experience a joyful adventure. Jamie, I have never met anyone who would sacrifice his own life to comfort others, but you are amazing! You are the bravest person in the world and we are proud of your courageous spirit, and helping us.

We hope that you can complete your mission and be satisfied by what you’re doing and be proud of yourself. At Get Ahead we are honoured to have you as part of our family. We will pray and ask God to strengthen you each day of your journey.

Good luck on your adventurous and fearful journey and may you enjoy everyday that goes by.

Yours sincerely,

UNATHI KONKWANE (Get Ahead College Learner)

FROM PATRICK NDAWANA – TEACHER

GO, JAMIE ……. GO, GO, GO!
Jamie, it is a very long ride! Please think of us every time when you push those peddles forward. It is a great challenge but I know you’ll make it.

I hope to see you again next year in good muscles and I know you.

Thanx

Pat

FROM BABALWA -GRADE 5 GIRL – QUEENGAP
We are so pleased to be writing this letter. You have always been part of our lives and everytime it has been a wild ride. So we wish you a good trip and ask God above to be with you every time you put your feet on those paddles. (Peddles).
Greatfully thanks!

We wish you a spectacular adventure.

Kunye ne nqubela plhambili enkulu kakhulu!!!!!!

Translation: “May you advance forward greatly”



FROM SIYAVUYA - GRADE 5 BOY – QUEENGAP

We would like to wish you good luck on your trip because there are many bad things happening in Africa, but us Africans are also very hospitable and loving, like you know. We pray that no harm will befall you, because it is a very long trip and we hope you will be strong and not faint on the road. We would like to thank you for doing this for our school. We are proud of you and we shall be looking out for information on the internet. We also hope that your bicycle won’t have any problems on the trip. We wish you good luck and may God be with you. ‘Uhambo oluhle!” (have a great journey).


Jamie,

For as long as we've known you, you've always radiated a positive energy and a love for life. You are blessed with a passion for teaching, for children less fortunate than yourself and with an unselfish caring for your neighbour.

You have enriched our lives beyond words with your charming personality, dazzling smile and geniune friendship. We have yet to meet someone as kind, generous, endearing and special as you.

We wish you luck with your venture and we know that you can do anything you put your mind to. When times are tough, as we sure they will be, just remember why you are doing it and how many lives you are going to touch throughout Africa!! How blessed you are to live your dream.

Take this Bible verse with you:

"For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power" Phillipians 4:13

Good luck and God speed, Jamie. You'll be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

With love

Vicki and Whit GAP staff

Drawings to me from some of the GAP children

Today I received these drawings from children at GAP....I LOVE their interpretations of my ride:-)

Morning Gratitude

As I was riding to work this morning I was greeted by the sun and all its splendour and I was reminded once again how amazing life is. I also reconnected to something I read somewhere...the sun does not require the earth to say thanks for what it gives to the earth...it just does what it does. How often have I needed something in return for what I am doing. Makes me think.

I am also grateful that the weather has been so amazing...it makes riding so much more enjoyable. I wonder if it will last until I leave for Cairo January 8th?

OPRAH!

Now that I have your attention:-)...in reality I did send Oprah a desription of why I am doing this ride. My intention is to surrender to what is....and just maybe she will find a way to contribute to my contribution....would be wonderful:-)

Today was a beautiful day to ride to work. It was cool and I did need the long fingered gloves but there is something about riding in the early morning with the sun coming up and the world slowly awakening from the dark of night. It connects me to my spirit.

I trust that all of you were able to find something in your day that made you appreciate that you were allowed to open your eyes and be a part of it. And now, as the day comes to a close I am grateful for all that it brought me.

If you do wish to leave a comment all you need to do is click on the "comment" below and you will be able to offer me all sorts of words of encouragement...or:-)

Still More Gratitude

Just wanted to thank all of you who continue to bless me with your words of support and encouragement. Without them it would be a lonely haul. May you be as blessed in return:-)
p.s. Margaret..you rock!...and you give great hugs!!!!!!

Saturday Century Ride

I set off this morning at 7am after I pulled myself from a warm bed. I could tell that it was cooler than yesterday so I added arm warmers and a vest and headed out. Not only was it cooler it was also windy..in fact gusts of wind. So I had to deal with headwinds, tailwinds, sidewinds, gusts of wind, clouds, the odd mist shower...and of course the usual ..."lets see what will I do today? Oh I know I will get in the car and go for a drive and pretend I know how to drive while I ignore cyclist...." drivers.... for those drivers it is always my responsibility to be aware!

There was at one point along Lake Ontario where a beautiful rainbow appeared backed by dark clouds. I could see the end of it...nope no pot of gold to pay for this trip...but it did remind me that nature has got to be one of the most spectacular elements in our world.

I am also grateful that I did not put any carbon into the air..just me and my bike:-)

Training this week

Well being back at work and training has certainly brought up many patterns for me. I continue to surrender to what comes my way and trust that it is all happening for a reason. This past week I was able to get about 300km of riding in. I get up at 5 am and do 25km on my indooor training bike, ride to work and back - 20km on my mountain bike , and then do 25km in the evening on my indoor training bike. I do this 6 days a week. I then get a century ride in each weekend, although last Sunday when I planned my ride it was rained out. So therefore, I will ride Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather.

I know some of you are probably saying...."would not a ride in the rain be great to do since you will probably be doing that on the trip?"..to which I say..."then that will be the time that I need to do it...not now!' I have in fact ridden my bike in rain and heat and cold but nothing will preapre me as much as the time in the saddle on the trip.

Watch my Video

Well I have made a video to explain why I am doing this ride. It is about 9 mins long and well worth the watch. Just click on the title above and afterwards you can go to the Leacock Foundation link and make a contribution:-)I have also include the link in my website link section and in my donation section of this site. Enjoy.

With Incredible Gratitude!

When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you every dreamed yourself to be.

Patanjali

Last evening at the Leacock Foundation’s annual dinner and auction I was blessed with an incredible gift of generosity when I was presented with a cheque for 10,000 dollars towards my intention of raising 50,000 dollars towards the Bridge Gap fund for the GAP school. I was absolutely in shock, as I had no idea that when I arrived for the evening this was going to be part of such a glorious event. I was in fact speechless and it took me a few moments to realize what had just happened before I thanked the Foundation. The money came from one anonymous donor. The donation is without a doubt going to make a difference! I am filled with gratitude that one person is willing to support me in this dream to such an extent. It is something I will carry with me as ride each day on this adventure.

When I said yes to this dream so many things fell into place. I continue to surrender to what is and to recall each morning what my intention is and then I follow through with my commitment by taking action and getting on the bike…even with my mind thinking it does not need to do it!

To each and ever one of you who is contributing to the ride I send you my love and blessing and may experience the generosity of spirit that I have.

Questions I am asked.

1.How many KM do you ride a week?
I always reply with a smile because the usual response is...."you must be nuts!".
I ride between 350 - 450 Km per week...or at least I did before I started back to my job as an educator. I plan to keep the mileage up with workouts on my indoor training bike..a road bike...and century rides on the weekend on my Stumpjumper.

2. Are you doing the race or the expedition?
I am doing the expedition as I plan on taking pictures and enjoying the experience....how many times do you get to ride from Cairo to Cape Town in your life?

3. What is your intention?
My intention is to arrive in Cape Town on May the 10th, 2008 safely with all the riders of the adventure.

Century Rides

Well the Labour Day weekend has come and gone once again and with it is the first century rides of September. For those of you who do not speak bike lingo that is a 100 mile ride...or about 150km ride..give or take a few millimeters:-)

Five things I am grateful for this day are:
My body and the way it supports me ride after ride.
The beauty of each new day and that my eyes were allowed to open to it.
The food that nourishes my body.
The people who say good morning to me as I ride past them and I return their greeting with a smile.
The warmth of the sun in these last days of summer.

I am really back at work tomorrow and with that I will start to commute by bike as long as I can. I still get up at 5am for an hour long ride on my indoor trainer. I need to keep the mileage up until I leave. How I will do that I have no idea but I set that intention:-)