10 years’ worth of THANK YOUs

Photo by Don Ricker at Skylight Photo

 I believe that our purpose here in this life is to figure what gifts that you have to offer the human species and the universe and then use them to spread love.  It doesn’t have to be something big.  Often the little things are those that count the most.  If everyone did their small part to support each other imagine how better the world could be.  Start at home with your family and from there, if you can, spread love even further.  That love will flourish and grow.  It’s never about what we are owed but what we can contribute.  It’s about making the universe a better place because of your time spent here.  The only sure thing is that one day we are all going to die.  Will your life have made a difference?

When Adele was diagnosed at 2 years old, almost 15 years ago, I remember dreaming of one day organizing some type of fundraising event that involved bikes.  In 2007, our cycling club received an email from a group that called themselves H2V (Halifax to Vancouver) asking for help on the road while they biked relay style across Canada to raise money for JDRF.  I instantly knew that I would join them.  That initial thought became 22 local riders a few weeks later riding with them from Moncton to Fredericton into the night and the craziest ride that I have ever done.  During the ride, one of my friends turned towards me and said: “We should do this every year!”.  The seed had been planted and Cyclebetes was born.

Photo by Don Ricker at Skylight Photo

10 years is a long time.  10 consecutive years for any event is very unlikely.  There always seems to be a reason or something that happens that prevents the event from taking place one year and then the momentum is halted and too often the event just dies.  I now know that for me the intention of organizing such an event was mostly out of panic and fear.  The thought of Adele suffering long term complications was so terrifying for me that my utter distress was what was pushing me to do everything I physically could for a cure before long-term complications set in.  This was good for a while, but it really is a form of running away by keeping busy and because of this eventually exhaustion sets in and you eventually need to stop and feel the feelings associated to the trauma to accept them.  Our event survived because when I reached that point it wasn’t MY event anymore.  My friends really took it over and I just became a small part of the reason why it kept on thriving.  The cause is always mine, but the event now belongs to the Mike’s Bike Shop cycling club.  I feel so very, very blessed to have such good friends.  Thank you Rick Snyder, Pablo Vergara, Luc Belliveau and Gilles Gallant for really making this event so awesome these last few years.  You guys have no idea how at times I just wanted to throw in the towel, but your enthusiasm and energy kept me going.  Thanks guys.

Photo by Don Ricker at Skylight Photo

Over $200,000 raised in the last 10 years is something to be proud of even if it is a very small portion of JDRF’s total budget.  The ride is actually even more than just raising funds for research.  It is a celebration of riding bikes that also raises much needed Type 1 Diabetes awareness.  It also inspires while reminding us that for Type 1 gamers, the trials and tribulations don’t end with the ride.  They are there 24/7, 365 days per year with no vacations whatsoever and that’s why Type 1 Diabetes needs to be talked about and taken seriously.  Insulin is not a cure.  Insulin does not prevent long term complications.  Insulin is but life-support.

At times, we racked our brains trying to find ways to grow our event numbers.  We were one of the first, if not the first, cycling charity event in our area, but now we’re competing with many more, all for very worthwhile and important causes.  But then we decided to concentrate on quality rather than quantity to measure our success.  Our event is more like a locally owned small business, less like Costco.  Our event is more like attending a family reunion, less like being at a stadium concert.  And I am really proud of that.  Our event really comes from and connects with the soul.

Photo by Don Ricker at Skylight Photo

I didn’t ride during our event because the day has really become quite hectic.  I drove my truck as one of the support vehicles.  I had ridden the 75k route a week before.  At times I missed riding, but I also very much enjoyed seeing riders enjoy the day pushing their own boundaries on the bike.  This made me feel inspired.  Thank you.

Photo by Don Ricker at Skylight Photo

Thank you to our main sponsor, Mike’s Bike Shop without which this ride could not exist.  Thank you Rick Snyder for your undying support all of these years.  Your kindness and generosity continue to amaze me.  I really appreciate all that you do for the cycling community and JDRF.  Thank you.

Thank you Luc Belliveau and Pablo Vergara, key players in this event.  Thank you for all of the incredible work that you do year after year.  Thank you Gilles Gallant, NB and PEI JDRF engagement coordinator.  You always go above and beyond your role with JDRF in helping ensure that our ride is as amazing as it is.  Thank you.

Photo by Don Ricker at Skylight Photo

Thank you Zoe Robichaud, our JDRF kids ambassador for your speech to the riders before the afternoon loop.  You really put a sweet and innocent face to Type 1 Diabetes and showed us why everyone was riding.  Thank you.

Thank you all that rode and fundraised.  We really appreciate your support and hope that you enjoyed the ride and our event.  Thank you.

Thank you to all of our sponsors:  Sobey’s in Dieppe, MacDonald Buick GMC, Giant bikes / Guy Pellerin of Pellerin Sports, City of Dieppe, Molson brewery, Cape Bald Packers, Terry Tomlin of Tomlin Sports Marketing, Starbucks, Kevin Noiles of Lambert, Pat Bolduc of Big Ring Sports, Nomad Supply Co., Dieppe IGA / Coop, Adrien Lesvesque at Falstaff Media, Long and McQuade, Brigitte Dionne of Cyclechicks, Chris Mitton and Jim Currie.  Thank you.

Thank you to all of our other dedicated volunteers:  Jeff Currie, Bill Goobie, Martin Pelletier, Melissa Bordage, Christian Charette, Don Ricker, Michelle Chase, Charles Cormier, Diane Duguay, Janice Evers, Gerry Allain, Elmer Wade, Christian Jasper, Erica Griffith, Steve Kikkert, Serge Noel, Jennifer Boyd, Cindy Guitard, Jeremy Leger, Vanessa Ferguson, Rhonda Currie, Sarah Quintin, Brigitte Dionne and Michele LeBlanc.  Thank you.

Photo by Don Ricker at Skylight Photo

If I have forgotten anyone, I apologize and want to thank you as well. I hope to see you again next year at the 11^th anniversary Mike’s Bike Shop Cyclebetes ride !

All online fundraising pages will still work until the end of the year so you can still donate here...  2017 Mike’s Bike Shop Cyclebetes Ride to Cure Type 1 Diabetes.