The Ride, Conquered
The Ride to Conquer Cancer is over.
I made it, alive and in one piece, and am currently watching England take on Germany in the European U-21 Championship. (Work, clearly, wasn't happening today, and nor will it happen again until Thursday.) The good bike Lucille, who served me so well this weekend, is resting in the front vestibule awaiting a tune-up. And with things wrapping up, I've got some exciting figures to share with you.
Firstly, the great news: we raised $5,160! In February, when I was still worried about reaching the minimum fundraising threshold, my friend Brad assured me I'd double that amount. (I'm sure I didn't believe him, which goes to show that you should never, ever question Brad.) I'm truly astonished by this total--not to mention humbled. Secondly, the really great news: our efforts, combined with those of the 1,741 other registered riders, contributed to a staggering $6.9-million fundraising total for Alberta's inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer. Think about that for a second; think how mind-boggling a total that is. It means, on average, each rider raised almost $4,000! That's what this ride meant to people; it's why it attracted everyone from hardcore cyclists to people who, objectively speaking, probably shouldn't have even attempted it, but did because they were so dedicated to the cause.
I'm still not far enough removed from the weekend's events to put them into proper personal perspective. The ride itself was a slog: while the original 250km course was actually closer to 200km, the topography was daunting (I'm guessing 50% of the trek was uphill) while the Southern Alberta winds added a layer of challenge for which no preparation was possible (Sarah and I were almost blown off our bikes within sight of the finish line). Still, I had two goals coming in:
1. To finish the ride; and
2. To bike the entire course.
I'm happy to report I succeeded on both counts.
This week, then, is a time to recover and to take stock of the Ride to Conquer Cancer experience. I'm much less sore than I was expecting to be--I actually played soccer last night, believe it or not--but I still have some niggling injuries, not to mention a few patchy spots of sunburn, that'll need attention. Yet ultimately, I would never have made it this far without my support network--and that includes each and every one of you. Sure, I organized the fundraising and did the actual biking, but you were the ones who raised the money and who pushed me across the finish line. I'm indebted to you forever, and I'm truly fortunate to know each and every one of you as friends.
I ran out of ways of saying "thank you" months ago, and so I'll simply say this: thank you. Again and again and again.

by Stephen Johns on Mon, Jun 29, 2009 @ 3:45 PM

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This Is It!
All being well, this time next week I'll be finished Day 1 of the Ride to Conquer Cancer and relaxing at Bar U Ranch. I can't believe it's almost here!
It's been (for lack of a more eloquent expression) a six-month slog. Sarah and I signed up for the Ride to Conquer Cancer on December 18. That means it's been looming for exactly six months and two days; there comes a point when there ain't nothin' left but to do it, and I'm sure I'm speaking for both of us when I say we've reached it. (I don't mean that in a negative way, obviously: I literally cannot wait for next weekend, but I'm also excited to be finished.) In a way the Ride's crept up on us--earlier this week I described it to a friend of mine as a "pie in the sky"--but now that it's here, now that we're less than a week away from pulling out of the Deerfoot Inn & Casino and heading south, it feels like it's coming together rather quickly. If that makes any sense whatsoever.
So: to all those people who've been asking for a donation deadline, the answer's "this week." If you'd still like to donate, click here...
http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR?px=1770543&fr_id=1282&pg=personal
...and follow the instructions. You're still donating to the same great cause! Here are a couple other tidbits:
1. The Ottawa Senators Jersey Bike Ride of Shame hasn't happened yet...but it will on Monday, providing the weather cooperates. The humiliating evidence will be posted on Facebook for your consumption/amusement; if you don't have Facebook but would still like to see it, shoot me an E-mail.
2. Calgarians: it'd be awesome if you could join us at the finish line next Sunday! It'll be located at Sierra West Ranch in Lundbreck, approximately three hours south of the city. Directions are here: http://www.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Calgary,+AB&daddr=T0K+1H0&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=49.560625,-114.159056&sspn=0.007418,0.019226&g=T0K+1H0&ie=UTF8&ll=50.275299,-113.889771&spn=1.87116,4.921875&z=8. We'll be there until our shuttle departs at 3pm. If you want more information, just ask.
That's it from me! I'll be back at you next week with a wrap-up, as well as one more heartfelt thank you to go along with this one right here:
Thank you. Again. You guys rule.
Take care,
Steve

by Stephen Johns on Sat, Jun 20, 2009 @ 4:27 PM

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I Want to Ride My Bicycle
It's less than four weeks until the Ride to Conquer Cancer, and I've reached a vital stage of the preparation process: I've realized I'm physically ready to do this. Five-and-a-half months ago, the thought of biking 250km was almost too much to fathom--but now that we've almost reached the end goal (and I include every single one of you in that "we") it's becoming a lot less daunting.
I'm also excited to announce that I finally--finally--got myself a bike! I know what you're thinking: "Hang on a second, Steve: you were planning on doing a 250km bike ride and you didn't own a bike??!" The answer is no: prior to last month, all of my training had taken place in a gym, in a swimming pool or on dry land. But I've got one now. Ain't she a beauty?
http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/Xtra/18673.jpg
I'm still settling on a name. My initial inclination was "Blackie," in honour of Eric Clapton's guitar, until someone pointed out that that might not be an appropriate choice. "Black Betty" seems too predictable. "Darth" is a better suggestion, but it's simply too Star Wars. "My new bike" is, quite frankly, lame (sorry, Lindsay). If you've got any inspired name ideas, send 'em along!
Moreover, in the name of more effective training, I'm trying to compile the ultimate biking playlist. Last week, in the midst of a 35km ride, I discovered (quite accidentally and to my horror) that "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked is actually a really great biking song. Having said that, I'm trying to avoid musical theatre songs for this particular venture and lean more towards rock n' roll--so again, if you have any ideas, I'm all ears. I'm also mildly curious to see how many people will suggest "Bicycle Race" by Queen.
With that, I've got a soccer game to prepare for (which, thanks to a three-and-a-half hour float down the Bow River yesterday, will involve copious amounts of aloe). If you'd like to make a donation, click on the big yellow button. We're almost at $3,000! Let's see if we can blow that number out of the water by next blog entry.

by Stephen Johns on Sun, May 31, 2009 @ 4:19 PM

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WE DID IT!!!!!
I've got some exciting news! Two weeks ago, after announcing my intention to humiliate myself in downtown Calgary, a flurry of sympathetic donors pushed me over and above my $2,500 fundraising target! I'd apologize for belabouring the point, but...well, it's an important point to belabour: thank you so much for your support, financial or otherwise. If you'd still like to donate, simply click on the "Sponsor Stephen Johns" button or the donation form link. You've got until June 26 to donate. If you're planning on sending a cheque to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, they'll need it by May 29; otherwise, send it directly to me. If you'd rather use cash, drop me a line and we'll figure out what to do with it. Remember, just because we hit $2,500 doesn't mean future donations aren't going to the same awesome cause. Let's reach for the stars!
When I set out to do the Ride to Conquer Cancer I had no idea--no idea--I'd get this sort of response. I'm truly blessed for having each and every one of you in my life.

by Stephen Johns on Sat, May 02, 2009 @ 11:28 AM

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Go Sens Go?
Back when I got rolling on this crazy adventure I wrote, more in hope than in expectation, "Just so we're clear, I'm not beyond accepting donations with strings attached...so if, for instance, your $50 means I'll have to wear a Liverpool F.C. replica kit for one of my practice rides, I'll do it." I should've known a few people would take that statement to heart. Well, at least one of you has.
I now have in my possession an Ottawa Senators jersey. It isn't mine, obviously--but it's in my house, which is bad enough. And in the next little while I'm going to wear it on a 5km run through the middle of downtown Calgary.
Oh, and I'll be wearing a clown wig as well.
I've been offered a lot of money to do this--which is only fair, since I utterly despise the Ottawa Senators. (If I were ranking my most hated sports teams they'd easily top the list, ahead of Liverpool, the Green Bay Packers and the Montreal Canadiens.) I've been offered an additional $50 to stop by Flames Central--a theme bar owned and operated by the Calgary Flames and decorated almost exclusively in Flames paraphernalia--and shout, "I love Mike Fisher!" I'm starting to think this might be worth more than $50...but still, I'm toying with the idea. This foray should underscore my willingness to do just about anything in my attempt to raise $2,500. (Meanwhile, my coworkers, bless them, are hatching a scheme in which cross-dressing and/or pie-throwing would be prominently involved. I'll let your minds wander.) So: if you feel like levying a strings-attached donation, here's unequivocal proof that I'll go for it (and, while we're at it, if you want to tack anything on to this Senators scheme feel free to do so). By the way, thanks to a recent mystery donation I've broken the 70% fundraising barrier. Thank you so much, everyone! And hey: if you're in Calgary and you me running down Stephen Avenue in a gigantic Sens jersey with "#11 ALFREDSSON" on the back, give me a honk. Please.

by Stephen Johns on Fri, Apr 10, 2009 @ 1:12 PM

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Conquering Cancer, One Kidney at a Time
Three months from today, I'll be finished the Ride to Conquer Cancer and (if money will allow) relaxing in a hot spring someplace west of Calgary. Between now and then I'll be subjecting myself to an increasingly rigid training regime; it's grown to incorporate swimming (my training partner, a former varsity swimmer, uses Jedi mind tricks to get me in the pool when I'm unmotivated) and it's about to include Ultimate Frisbee as well. Meanwhile, two weeks ago I visited a nutritionist to get a primer on proper eating habits; who knew I needed help in that regard?
I've been talking up the Ride a lot lately, yet while I've given reasons for doing it I've kept the biggest one hidden...until now. Above all, I'm doing the Ride to Conquer Cancer because I'm a cancer survivor myself. Some of you knew this; some of you didn't. I wasn't sure if I wanted to share it with everyone until the ride was over--I didn't want people to feel like I was "guilting" them into donating--but following a conversation with a friend this past weekend (more on him in a second, by the way) decided it was an important thing to do. When I was three I was diagnosed with, and subsequently treated for, a Wilm's Tumour, which is a fancy way of saying "cancer of the kidney." If you've ever seen me shirtless (and if you haven't then you've probably fantasized about it, so no matter) you'll have noticed a scar bisecting my body: that's the visible manifestation of what happened to me twenty-five years ago this month. Yet even though the disease has gone, I'll be living with cancer in one way or another for the rest of my life. That statement certainly isn't intended to garner any sympathy--believe me, I'm know how lucky I am--but it goes a long way towards explaining why I'm raising $2,500 so I can bike across Southern Alberta. I'm not just doing it for fun.
(Two more quick things: yes, this means I've only got one kidney, and yes, it functions better than both of yours...or, in one case, all four of yours.)
But back to my friend. Last year, as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, he raised an astonishing $15,000 for cancer research. His blog entires (which detailed, among other things, his being forced to do the swimming portion of a triathalon with only one arm because of unbearable shoulder pain in the other) moved everyone who read them; to me, it was as though he was throwing down a gauntlet and challenging us to join him in the battle to end cancer, and while I know he doesn't see himself as an inspiration...well, he is (and though he's far too modest for his own good, I'm keeping him anonymous for the time being). In fact, you're reading this because of him.
So: now that you know all my main reasons for doing the Ride to Conquer Cancer, I'm excited to announce that I'm 56% of the way to my $2,500 fundraising target! If you'd like to donate, simply click on the big yellow button above. And keep your eyes peeled: soon, you'll discover how you can use my irrational love of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Minnesota Vikings and Manchester United to embarrass me in public! Thanks again for reading, everyone. Your support means the world to me.

by Stephen Johns on Tue, Mar 31, 2009 @ 10:19 PM

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Kitsilano Update
Greetings from Kits Coffee Co. in Vancouver! I'm writing this entry in longhand, then typing it out at my friends' apartment; it's my belief that long weekends should be much more frequent occurrences. It's been a while since I've touched base, and I wanted to update you on my preparations for the Ride to Conquer Cancer -- which is still almost four months away, yet which has already begun consuming me. My training regime is shifting out of "anatomical adaptation" territory and into "deliberate self-flagellation." Spin class -- given the nature of Calgary winter weather my only current contact with any sort of bicycle -- is only a small part of a routine that also includes weightlifting, running and playing soccer (not to mention skiing, which can be brutally punishing as expressed in the Rocky Mountains). Next week I'm starting nutritional consulting (receiving, not giving, you'll be happy to know). As Penny Lane keeps on saying in Almost Famous, "It's all happening!"
Moreover, my team is starting to coalesce. We've finally picked a name -- the Midnight Cowboys -- and on Friday we're holding a meeting to determine our strategy moving forward. Be warned, Calgarians: you're about to be invited to some crazy nights of pub trivia.
Above all, I wanted to say a sincere "thank you" to everyone who's joined this group; it's already 107 members strong! So far I've reached 13% of my fundraising target. If you've already donated...well, my command of the English language won't allow me to fully articulate how grateful I am for your support. And if you haven't, but would like to, click on the big yellow button above. Have a great day, everyone. Until next time!

by Stephen Johns on Sat, Mar 07, 2009 @ 12:45 PM

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