The journey and the goal...

Yesterday was the official start of my 2017 road biking season; similar to previous official starts, the day was sunny, warm, and spring was in the air. And like the last three years, it also marked the beginning of my road training for an upcoming 212 km ride in June to fight cancer.

As with previous years I have the honour to ride with three of my good friends, and if I'm not mistaken they too have started their journey and the countless "rpms" that come with preparing for the ride. Sometimes we train together and sometimes alone, but in the end we will ride the 212 kms as a team.

Our goal in all of this is to ride with 5000 other people in the Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer, raise awareness, raise money, and beat cancer in our lifetime. This is the 10th Anniversary of the ride and it will be an amazing event. About the Ride

As I made my way on such a beautiful day I was re-introduced to my bike after a long winter; the wind in my face slowing my progress, the twinge in my knee working itself out, and the feel of being in the saddle again (as I periodically shifted for comfort). As the kilometres melted away, I could not help but reflect on the small journey I was embarking on; all those other training rides in my future and my desire to be prepared for the ride. My goal in all of this is to support those people who are on a very different journey... a journey where they are battling cancer each and every day.

Our lives are full of journeys and goals; some of them are small and some of them are life changing — Starting university because you want to be an engineer and build bridges. The dream of becoming CFO coming true shortly before the CEO voices her dream of going public. That six month sabbatical that is for nothing other than travel. Dating again after four years because it's time. When the oncologist tells you there is no cure for the metastasized small cell lung carcinoma. And when you ride your bike for the first time to start preparing for a ride to defeat cancer in our lifetime.

These are our journeys. 

For the next two months my journey of preparation will have me riding as much as I can — I will endure the rain, the wind, the odd flat tire, and on June 10th I will ride like the wind. And as I ride, I will think of Janet, Garth, Paul, and Ray whose journey was cut short by cancer.

I have included a link to my personal page if you would like to donate to my ride.

Thank you 

iamgpe

The thoughts of memories...

I will admit I am not very good at remembering.

I should clarify that when I say this I am not referring to facts and figures, dates and responsibilities, but memories. I am forever listening to friends and family say, "Remember when...".

I sincerely have to admit I don't.

Oh, it is all there in the filing cabinet that I call my brain, but it is never easily recalled... I eventually find it, although it usually needs a photograph, a sound, a smell, or a conversation as a primer. 

Once remembered, I am always a little sad I am not able to recall and savour my memories so easily.

In my life I have been privileged to have known wonderful people, have travelled enough to understand the complicated love hate relationship that comes with it, and have seen places and things that have taken my breath away — I've developed relationships that have defined me as a father, a friend, and as an inamorato. There is nothing I have to complain about so far... it has been a good life.    

Except of course, maybe my ability to easily remember it.

This is definitely something I must work on; for no other reason I suppose than the thoughts of memories yet to be made.

I really do need to read that book on mindfulness.

iamgpe

Don't ever think there isn't something bigger than yourself...

The air was silent and cold, and the sun was bright. I made my way along the path and there was the hint of spring in the air. There was something majestic about where I was, and that shortly there would be a dramatic transformation. In the mean time though, I walked carefully through the snow to limestone caves that had been there long before any human memory. It didn't take much imagination to grasp the immensity of it all.

Soon enough I would be back marketing something, looking to finance something, trying to broker "that deal", sell something, or buy something, but in that moment, I was a detail in something bigger than myself and it was out of my ability to control. And although I didn't fully understand it, I knew I had every right to be there.

Soon enough I was back in the car, and with little fan fair, I knew I was better for my walk in the forest before it woke.

iamgpe