Sudan Visa

Well I finally received the information today to get a visa to get into Sudan. We need to apply for this and an Ethiopian visa before we leave. The other countries we will be going through will issue them at the point of entry.

Once again a little step that will lead myself and the others to a great experience.

I have an eye examination lined up for later next month to get new glasses...and sunglasses. I have a couple of biking sunglasses that I am taking and hopefully I will not need more along the way although we are encouraged to bring a lens prescription along with us just in case.

The penny jar that I placed in front of my display board is filling rather quickly. I know all the loose change that people have will make a difference. For this I am grateful:-)

Display Board

This past weekend I completed a display board that I set up in the main hallway of my school so that students, parents and staff can see where I will be going. It will also be a place where updates can be placed while I am actually on my bike.

I have also added a large empty water container to collect loose change. I believe that every penny will make a difference.

The morning rides are getting a lot cooler and the ride home is beautiful as the day warms up. I have no idea how much longer it will be before I will be unable to ride but I will make the most of it until that day arrives.

As I was cleaning and de-greasing my chain last night I was imagining the amount of sand that will be on the chain during the trip and the sandpaper affect of that sand on the chain and gears...oh well I am bringing extras along for sure!

Motivation

One of the boys asked me how I stayed motivated for so many years with “wanting” to do this ride. First, I replied to him that I did stay connected with “wanting” to do this ride, as I know from my experience that I would only get the wanting to do the ride in my life. What I stayed connected to was the “intention” to do the ride without being attached to when I did it. I also replied to him that for me I needed to make the intention or dream become tangible in some way and be something that I would be able to connect with each day either purposefully or just because it was there. I knew that for me it needed to be visual.

What I created was a circular poster that was then inserted under a piece of glass on an old table that I had. This table was already something that I had in my life and I just found a new way to use it.

I sit beside this table each morning when I get up with my coffee and my morning reading and I look at the poster. Sometimes I study it for a while and connect with what I had set my intention for. At other times I would just glance at it and then move on with my day. Many were the times throughout the day when I would look at it without really looking at it…and yet my mind would register the image. As a teacher of Media Art I know that power of images on the human mind!

As the day of departure gets closer I spend more time each morning reading the words and expressing my gratitude that the time has come for me to do this ride. My “vision” table has kept me connected. For that I grateful.

Contact

I had a wonderful conversation last night with Rae and Ursala who will also be riding in the Tour this year. I made contact with them through their blog site. It was exciting to be talking about the upcoming trip. Just to hear what tires they were going to use was so helpful as the tires I need are the last items that I have to purchase. They also have Stumpjumper bikes….hmmm…do I see a club starting here! We talked for about an hour and the adrenaline was certainly flowing with me.

In talking with them they mentioned that they are planning on spending a few weeks after the Tour in South Africa and plan to ride to Cape Point. I have driven there on tours with the boys when we travel to Cape Town and like Rae and Ursala I plan to ride to the tip of Africa as well. I know that it will be a windy ride but after almost 12,000km what is a bit of wind!

I spent part of last weekend putting all the stuff that I need to take with me into 70 liter and 50 liter waterproof duffle bags. As I began to see it all come together it reminded me of all the small steps that I have taken to prepare for this trip. If I had thought about doing all the steps I am sure I would have been overwhelmed, but by doing it slowly it all got done. Each day on the trip will be a day of steps…or revolutions of the bike wheels… that will eventually lead to my arrival in Cape Town. Again my intention is to arrive in Cape Town safely with all the other members of the Tour. And, speaking about members, there is close to 40 full time riders the last I looked and on top of that are all the sectional riders…I am sure we will look like quite a spectacle at times as we ride with the latest spandex clothing in all various colours.

After talking to Rae and Ursala I will send an email to the others in the Toronto area and see if we can get together to meet before we go. What an amazing world I am a part of!

To check out other rider profiles go to http://www.tourdafrique.com/tourdafrique/profiles.html

Help your brother's boat across, and lo! your own has reached the shore.

The saying above is a Hindu Proverb and it reminds me today of all of you who have made donations to my ride (boat) to help me reach my shore. I feel so full of gratitude for all of you and the fact that you care in the ways that you do.

I trust that each and every one of you will reach your own shore and I look froward to finding a way to be a part of helping your boat.

I am now about two months away from leaving my job for five months and just over two and an half months from my departure date. I have a lot of training left to do and staying connected to each and every one of you as I ride my bike is what I do.

Again...may you be blessed!

Another example of many hands supporting me

I am very grateful to a friend of mine, Harriet Wynne-Jones who has supported me in so many ways over the years I have known her. As a colleague she has traveled with me to the GAP school and offered an amazing week of art to students in grade eight. Her butterfly inspired creations were a real hit with the students. More importantly she created an environment that was conducive to the students not only learning but sharing a common experience together.

This past weekend she used her skills once again with children and has donated her funds to my ride. I am moved by her ability to use her talents in the way she does and to share so freely from her heart.

I will miss our daily talks while I am on the ride but I know that she will be thinking of me each day...and that is a good thing!

Don's Incredible Run!

Congratulations to Don on his successful run in the 2008 Toronto Half-Marathon! I was there as he crossed over the finish line. One could not help but notice the determination on his face as he was doing so and then the sense of satisfaction that I experienced after the running stopped.

We all have personal goals that we work towards, and while some of them may not be as large as running the half-marathon, they are still wonderful examples of individuals being in-tension (intention) towards something that they desire and then working with commitment to make the end a reality. I wish you all great success and satisfaction with whatever you are in-tension with. Enjoy the journey and relish the destination when you get there!!

With Many.

Al Gore has received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with Global Warming. During his acceptance speech he spoke of an African saying that goes something like this..."If you want to get there quickly go alone...if you want to go far walk with many."

I really feel that I am "riding" with many on this journey. Each and every one of you is aiding in my journey to go "far" and as I remember this each day I am grateful for the support that I am receiving in so many forms.

The sun is coming up as I write this and I am about to get on my bike for a long ride. May your day be filled with many friends and may you go far.

Run with Don!

This coming Sunday, October 14th Don Haag, a fellow teacher here at Crescent School, will be running in the Toronto Half Marathon. All the proceeds that are raised by Don will be directed towards the 'Bridging' GAP fund with the Leacock Society.

I know the amount of training and commitment that is required to prepare for this event and I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to Don for what he is doing. It is another example of how this ride of mine is supported by so many others in so many ways.

The world is a great place!

Read about one riders experience in last years Tour

Double click on the image below to see full size.

Summer Still Here?

What an amazing weekend. When I rode yesterday I felt like I was back in mid July! I for one am not complaining here...I LOVE the heat and it is something I will need to get use to again when we start the ride in January after a few months of fall here in Canada.

I leave in three months for Cairo!! I know the time will pass quickly but I am still eager for the experience to get started. It will arrive when it will and not a moment to soon.

I have been enjoying my new camera. Now if only I can figure out a way to get me in some of the pics. Even with all my Photo Shop skills it is a challenge.

Tenacity

Tenacity is when you follow your heart - when the whole world is screaming to get back into your head.
Sonia Choquette

HMMMMMMMMMM...how many times have I had people say to me that this ride is going to "kill you!" As I said before we are all going to die!

The weather continues to be amazingly warm...in fact it will be around 30C this weekend, perfect for a bike ride or two.I am enjoying the last days of really great riding weather as I am sure fall will come...global warming or not. If I do not post anything before next week then I wish you all a weekend full of tofurkey (vegetarian here!) and family joy!

With gratitude to you all!

Update

Well it has been a few days since I last posted a post. The weather has been amazing here in Southern Ontario and has made for some very pleasant riding...especially in the early mornings.

I have changed my training schedule with the anticipation of cooler wet weather.I now get up at 4:30 and ride for 1.5 hours on my training bike and then ride to work and finish the day with 1.5 hours in the evening for a total of 4 hours a day. I know that the training will keep me fit, and I am also aware that the only real training will be the ride itself and all the terrains I will encounter. Bring it on!

The long Thanksgiving weekend will be upon us soon and with that will be a trip to my bike shop to acquire the last of my gear for the trip. I have collected all the items I need for the actual excursion and feel prepared in that area.

This past weekend I purchased a new camera for the trip, a Nikon D80 along with a sportcam. I will be picking up a MACbook so that I can edit pics and video as I travel and then be able to send them back to the school as I can along the way. Of course I picked up some extra batteries for the trip. I still need to see if I can find a solar charger for batteries that will work for some of the gear I have.

I am grateful for the abundance in my life.