Ron Mitchell

COAST TO COAST — DAY 8 REPORT

Border crossings — protected or otherwise — are always significant milestones for the Coast to Coast team. Where the boundaries are well-noted, the progress is evident. Minor celebrations are enjoyed, even if only personal and private. Such is the case as the C2C team makes its way across yet another boundary, another milestone, into Quebec. It reminds us all of the many steps and many boundaries that each cancer victim must face and overcome along their road to beating cancer. We hope our progress is an inspiration to those who are in the middle of their fight.

Bienvenue au Québec!

It’s 4:30 AM and Ron’s phone rings in the RV. At the other end, a strange voice asks "Where are you now?". Turns out that Tom Ventser and a team of cyclists from Beaconsfield Quebec had gathered in a parking lot on Montreal’s West Island an hour earlier. They were heading west toward the Ontario-Quebec border to intercept the C2C team in order to guide them through Montreal. Back and forth on the cell phone for an hour until finally near Rivière-Beaudette, Quebec, the teams meet up. The police escort arrives at the same time. Together, the C2C team, the 13 riders from Club Cycliste Beaconsfield and the police escort head east across the bridge and onto the island of Montreal. For the next three hours, this combination of riders and police exact a beautifully choreographed dash across the island of Montreal. Finally, after more than 100 kilometers, the Club Cycliste Beaconsfield peel away, leaving C2C to cross the St Lawrence River once again, this time into Repentigny on the north shore. Another police escort through Repentigny until the team is safely on Highway 138 heading toward Trois-Rivières.

Team Bonk

Somewhere between Repentigny and Trois Rivières, the teamwork is failing. Transitions are a mess, equipment and food is not ready when needed, schedules are disregarded. Our ride across Montreal with all six riders on their bikes has upset the carefully built schedule of nourishment, rest and recovery. The decision-making required to fix the problem is impaired by sleep deprivation and a steady flow of adrenaline. A team meeting is called and a solution developed. The RV is restored to health with fresh water and fuel. The off-duty riders break from Dr. Pat’s direction and indulge their hamburger desires. The team takes off with new energy to find the pacing riders. Things have settled down a bit. But a lesson is learned: it’s very hard to make good decisions when you are exhausted and hungry. Fuelling the body with rest, food and water is required for a successful ride.

Old Québec

The late Saturday afternoon ride along the North Shore, through Trois Rivières and into Québec City is uneventful. Crossing the river into Lévis Quebec however, is another matter. This is a very complicated route, with two bridges crossing the river. Sure enough, a turn is missed and Jeff and Jamie end up in Québec City, with the RV on the other the side of the river. Luckily, a Fujtisu employee, Sabrina, and her husband spot Jeff and Jamie and guide them to the ferry that crosses from the oldest part of Québec City to Lévis. It turns out that this is actually a faster route to the south shore. And certainly more enjoyable. Jeff and Jamie climb off the ferry and begin their gentle ascent through ancient Lévis, up Rue St. Laurent, then Rue St. Joseph past three hundred year old homes that crowd the narrow streets. Finally emerging onto Highway 132, they head east on a beautiful road that hugs the river all the way to Rivière-du-Loup. During their ride they marvel at Mt. St. Anne and Le Massiff on the distant north shore. The two mountains frame the reddening sky, casting lengthening shadows over the river as the sun settles behind them.

The Children Are Watching Over Us!

Alexandra Cantelon was only 11 when she died after battling cancer for three years. Her story is one of courage and tenacity. Her dedication is read in the darkest hour of the night, and finishes with this paragraph from her mother:

And finally, as the dead of the night took its hold, another transition near Rivière-du-Loup. It’s over to Kevin and Scott to make the push through the final few kilometers of Quebec and into New Brunswick in the very early hours. Another day, another boundary.