Follow Ramesh's Journey - Archives

This morning the team relaxed at the home of Reid and Mary Asselstine prior to going to Couchiching Beach Park to meet with a reporter from the Orillia Packet and Times. While at the park, we met up with lifeguards from the city’s Parks and Recreation Department performing drills on the beach. Everyone was excited to hear about the message of Cycle to Walk and were quite shocked to hear that parks, schools, and pools were frequently shut down in the 1950s because of the fear of polio – it struck the lives of all Canadian in every community, town, and city.

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Cows, horses, fields, and bails of hay – sounds like the prairies doesn’t it? I thought so too until I began climbing the first hill of the day. Today the team progressed around Lake Simcoe to the number 7 highway, which will lead us to Peterborough and Ottawa when we roll out after our time in Toronto.

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The team continues to be amazed by the diversity of each and every Cycle to Walk day. We started off this morning in Owen Sound where we met with Mayor Ruth Lovell. About 25 people were on hand to learn more about the Cycle to Walk campaign and show their support. Many Rotarians that we met yesterday were in attendance, and even Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health with the Grey Bruce Health Unit came to greet us. Dr. Lynn later reaffirmed the urgency and need to eradicate polio to the people of Owen Sound, which was wonderful for us to hear.

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Today started off with a gourmet stuffed-French toast and frittata breakfast cooked up by our host Danielle Paterson at the Gadd-About B&B. Afterwards, we started the cycling day just outside of Wiarton, cycling all the way through to Meaford.

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We reached Southern Ontario after spreading the message of Cycle to Walk for a wonderful two hours on the M.S. Chi-Cheemaun ferry. I can’t thank Captain Kerry Adams and his crew enough for their wonderful hospitality aboard the ship. When we arrived, there were Cycle to Walk posters hanging up, and we were introduced over the ship’s intercom. Captain Kerry even invited the team and our new friends from Turtle Creek Lodge to the bridge for a tour. I even got to pilot the ship!

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Jack and Joyce Varieur at Turtle Creek Lodge and Gardens ensured we were comfortable last night, and we all slept very well. Thanks so much for the wonderful hospitality at your beautiful home! After taking a picture with some new friends and their stuffed animals, the team hit the road destined for South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island.

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Members of the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers provided the team with breakfast this morning, which was a great send-off from the community. After the meal, our wonderful friend and tour guide David White took us to view Sudbury’s famous Big Nickel before pointing us west out of Sudbury on Highway 17.

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At 11 AM, Cycle to Walk participated in an official ride in to Sudbury. It was a gorgeous day and we cycled over the Bridge of Nations, which has flags representing all nations from which the citizens of Sudbury originate. It was very nice to meet up with old high school and Youth Synod friends. During the ride, CBC Radio’s Tracy Fuller conducted the most unique interview I’ve ever been a part of: with a microphone in hand, she cycled with us and spoke with me on the move! Tracy told me later that she was transferring to CBC Whitehorse in the near future. Perhaps we’ll conduct a follow-up interview back home.

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Cycle to Walk has raised over a quarter of a million dollars since we began, but more money is needed. We’re still in need of corporate sponsors to offset the costs of this campaign as well. You can donate directly to the campaign online, and sponsorship information is available here on this website.

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This morning started off with a wonderful visit with the Reverend Henk Willems and his wife Sue. They gave us some great words of encouragement, donations, and… a big bag of peanut brittle! My confidence got quite the boost later on when I hand cycled up a hill and passed a horse and buggy with two passengers. It’s not every day that I get to say I won a race against a horse going up a hill! Then again, maybe I was the only one racing. Regardless of details, it felt nice.

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When you cross Canada, you really come to appreciate just how immense it is. With that in mind, the further we go across this country, the smaller it seems to get. I met Len and Ali La Prairie today as they stood on the side of the road to show their support. As it turns out, their daughter Karen lives in Whitehorse and works for the same department as I did before Cycle to Walk began: the Department of Health and Social Services – a major Cycle to Walk supporter.  As Cycle to Walk’s momentum builds, I’ve noticed people waving to the team from their homes, workplaces and sunroofs. A young man named Oliver stopped us on the highway to give a donation and to learn more about the campaign. It’s really exciting to be a part of this, and to know that polio is becoming a topic of conversation again!

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Ten years ago, I left Bishophurst – my parents’ home in Sault Ste. Marie – to attend college in Thunder Bay. I was a fresh graduate from Sir James Dunn High School, and it was time to move on to the next stage of life. Today, 10 years later, I’m leaving Bishophurst again. Cycle to Walk has brought me to this house one last time, but again, it’s time to move on. Canadians need to know that polio is still an issue, and that with just a bit more commitment, we can end it forever.

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Today the campaign entered the realm of triple digits. I can’t believe it – Day 100! This morning, we received a warm welcome by the Very Reverend Nelson Small and members of the St. Luke’s Anglican Cathedral. Over the past year, the cathedral has hosted several fundraising music concerts, puppet shows, and BBQs to raise funds and awareness for Cycle to Walk. On entering the church, we were welcomed by a lovely bulletin board full of Cycle to Walk information, pictures and clippings. It’s very apparent that the congregation has been following the progress of Cycle to Walk with great interest. After the service, many people stayed to hear more about our experiences on the road, take pictures, buy t-shirts, and make donations.

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This weekend the City of Sault Ste. Marie is enjoying its annual Rotaryfest event – full of amusement rides, cotton candy, music, and parades. After meeting up with the Soo’s iconic mascot, Bon Soo, the Cycle to Walk team joined in the parade thanks to an invite by the local Rotary Clubs. This was the biggest parade the team has ever participated in, and it was great to be a part of it!

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The sky was grey and dark and it looked as though it might have rained this morning, but that didn’t stop the team from participating in some Cycle to Walk events organized by the local Anglican Churches. My brother Matt, who recently returned from New Zealand with his wife Lynda, joined me for the first leg of the cycle. Together the team cycled on Anglican Church road where we were greeted by Father Bill Stadnyk and members of St. James Anglican Church. The church’s Vacation Bible School Students sang a lovely song for us after a the team did a brief presentation. After question and answers, donations and kind words were given before the team progressed towards St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Heyden. We were joined by two other cyclists, Rick Fall and Fiona Ortiz, and we had a great time riding together as a group.

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“Ramesh Ferris is halfway through his cross country cycle to walk journey, but his final push to help eradicate polio began in 2002.“

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Today felt like more of a typical Cycle to Walk day, as there were four events scheduled. It all started off with a visit to the Canadian Paraplegic Association to meet with Diane Morrell and her staff, Matt, Wendy and Lisa, at the Accessibility Advisory Committee office. Everyone was so excited to hear the message of Cycle to Walk, and they provided us with a letter of support at the end of our visit.

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This morning I enjoyed a swim at the John Rhodes Community Centre Pool. Afterwards, I spent the rest of the day catching up with friends here in the Soo!

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Today, the team worked with Father Bill Stadnyk to figure out the logistics for some Cycle to Walk community events which are taking place in Sault Ste. Marie this weekend. After a bit of route reconnaissance, it was off to a local bike shop, Vélorution, for a tune up. Thanks to Andre and all of the staff for the in-kind service and support!

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Today, I gained a better understanding of the term, ‘soft shoulders’ – our motor home got stuck in sand on the side of the road this afternoon. We weren’t really set back for all that much time though, as members from the Ontario Provincial Police came to our rescue and towed us out with their truck.

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Now, we’re in Sault Ste. Marie, and it’s my turn to be on some home turf: I graduated from Sir James Dunn High School here in 1998. It’s nice for me to have some downtime in familiar settings. I was excited to show the team some Sault Ste. Marie sights – in particular, my old high school.

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Today’s cycle was just beautiful as we progressed through Lake Superior Provincial Park. The team celebrated its 4000km mark at Agawa Bay. Because we were right by the water, we thought we would be a little different and mark the spot in the lake (if anyone was wondering, I can’t hand-cycle in sand). Today also marks the third month since Cycle to Walk launched from Victoria on April 12th.  The team now is starting to talk about where exactly we were during the first couple of months: May 12th – Edmonton, June 12th – Winnipeg, and now July 12th – Montreal River. For those of you who are familiar with the hill near Montreal River, I reached speeds of 67 km/h on it.

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I’m so glad I get the job of hand-cycling when I see some of the jobs Doug Ayers volunteers for. Thanks Doug for doing the jobs that none of us on the road team really want to do – particularly when it comes to RV upkeep.

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Chris and Doug installed a new amber light on the RV this morning, and I was happy we had it. The climbs, straights, turns, and rock cuts continued today as we pushed forward through beautiful, rough country to White River. Since we arrived here, the team has been discussing Winnie the Pooh, if you’ll believe it. White River is home of the actual bear cub which was purchased by Lieutenant Harry Colebourn in 1914, but the bear was named Winnie after Colebourne’s hometown of Winnipeg.

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Although it was cloudy this morning, there were no safety concerns, and we were good to roll. Today, as usual, the road was full of transport trucks and other vehicles. What was different was that we crossed paths with two separate cross-Canada campaigns today. It was a pleasure to share the road with great leaders crossing the country – and beyond – for great causes. We met two people who are running a marathon each per day for the next year as part of their Run for One Planet Campaign around the entire continent. We also met three individuals who are participating in the multi-faith Walk Against Violence; they started their journey in Halifax and will end in Victoria.

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Safety is essential for the road team, other motorists, community members and myself. Today was the first day we had to cancel a cycling day because of the weather. We woke up this morning to a thin mist in Schreiber, but it gradually turned into a thick fog with light rain as we climbed through the Jackfish Bay area. It was just past Jackfish that the team decided to head back to Schreiber in a blanket of fog.

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After a hearty breakfast at Skandia House, the people of Nipigon gave the team one of the warmest sendoffs we’ve received. People met us at the side of the road in work clothes – such as nursing scrubs, and garage overalls – and took the time just to see us off. It means so much to us when people take the time and just drop what they’re doing to demonstrate their support for Cycle to Walk. Thank you, again, to everyone in Nipigon for your generosity and support.

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Members of St. Mary’s Anglican Church came together and prepared a lovely breakfast for the Cycle to Walk team this morning. Thank you everyone for your kindness! The breakfast was fantastic, and I’m sure that with all the pancakes, dishes of quiche, pigs in blankets, and eggs, I received my daily requirement of 5000 calories.

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Small towns are just great! Nipigon, while not large in size, has an enormous heart! When the team arrived at the visitor information centre this morning, there were so many people there to wish us well and show support for the Cycle to Walk campaign. Thank you, Ko, from the local Interact Club for organizing so many supporters to greet us here in Nipigon – your leadership is to be commended.

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Sault Ste Marie is ready for Cycle to Walk.  Click here to see what’s happening on July 6th, 12th and 18th.

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Today’s ride went down such an inspirational section of highway. The Terry Fox Courage Highway runs between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, and we were on it all day. It was a beautiful day full of happy reflections, and friends – both old and new – supporting the fight to end polio. The City of Thunder Bay understands the message of Cycle to Walk completely.

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Confederation College’s Alumni Association and the Student Union of Confederation College Inc. hosted a BBQ for Cycle to Walk at lunch today.

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This morning was a time to honour a man who stands for hope, courage, determination, and selflessness. The team cycled from Marina Park and came together with supporters to celebrate Terry Fox at the monument that bears his name. We departed the Terry Fox monument inspired by his life, knowing that we can and we will realize the dream of a polio free world if we try.

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Thanks to the organization of the Reverend Nancy Ringham, Cycle to Walk was able to spread the word about polio eradication, education, and rehabilitation to residents of the St. Joseph’s Care Group.  At the end of the presentation, many of the residents told me they could recall fearing the threat of polio in the 1950s. It was great to visit with everyone, and thank you for your generous donations to the campaign.

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Cycle to Walk was out front and centre for Canada Day celebrations in Whitehorse. Enthusiastic board members, staff and children of all ages showed up to walk and ride in the parade and work our booth at Shipyards park. While the better part of the day was grey and rainy, there was no lack of participants and we had a great day overall. Many people stopped by our booth to give donations, have their pinkies painted purple and to buy wristbands and t-shirts in support of the campaign.

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Today, the team was able to participate in spectacular Canada Day celebrations here in Thunder Bay, Ontario. While I’m 28 years old, today was my 25th Canada Day. The morning started with a scrumptious breakfast at the Reverend Nancy and Bill Ringham’s house. Supporters from various churches, Rotary clubs, the Thunder Bay Cycling Club, and other members of the community accompanied me for the cycle in to Thunder Bay. That hearty breakfast sure came in handy!

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