Follow Ramesh's Journey

We had originally decided for today to be a cycling day, however, the team collectively decided that it would be best to stay put in Winnipeg for just a little longer. We’re quickly approaching the longitudinal centre point of Canada, which is a very exciting milestone.  Kilometre-wise, we will reach our midpoint east of Thunder Bay, ON.

Our concern about Ontario is building, and we all see the infamous two-lane, shoulderless, high traffic section of Northern Ontario on the map ahead of us. There was a lot to do today to make sure we were ready to get back on the road. Doug installed CB radios for the support vehicles so we can communicate with truck drivers on the highway, Carly was busy with laundry, Bertha cleaned the RV and caught up the Cycle to Walk scrapbook, and Chris worked at getting us more media coverage. I spent the day catching up on emails, taking care of some important paperwork, and talking with friends and campaign staff up in Whitehorse. I actually didn’t shave or get out of my PJs until 3 pm today! It felt really nice, though I know, Mom, I shouldn’t be in my PJs that late.

This afternoon around 4:30, CBC Radio Winnipeg invited me live on the air to talk about Cycle to Walk. Shortly after that, I toured Red River College’s Princess Street Campus with Chris. After the tour, Chris and I met up with the rest of the team for a Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball game at Canwest Park, where Cycle to Walk was invited to sell t-shirts and spread the message of polio eradication, education, and rehabilitation to 7000 + fans! Dan Chase at the Goldeyes was sure to make us feel right at home, Will and Mara, ballpark employees, showed great support, and Goldie, the team mascot, got right in to the Cycle to Walk spirit. It was a great time.

I felt a bit like a salesman tonight. Many people would walk by without saying anything; some people would just stare at us, while others would actually approach us and want to learn more. A good number of people came to buy t-shirts and make donations, and their contributions are much appreciated. When I suggested to three teenagers that they would look great in new Cycle to Walk t-shirts, they all scowled at me like I was some 99-year-old crazy man. Still, I didn’t give up. Later, I informed a gentleman who was walking by that his shoelaces were undone and that he should be careful. The man moved off to the side and started to tie his shoe. I took the liberty of giving him a brochure and asked if he wanted to buy a t-shirt - and he did even before he got his second shoelace tied up!

We live in such a small world. While at Canwest Park, we met up with Christine Brouzes, the daughter-in-law of Hank and Susan Moorlag up in Whitehorse. Carly met up with an old friend she went to high school with - in Nipigon of all places - Chris Foulds, and his wife, Melissa, who is from the Winnipeg area, Chris Madden met up with his friend Alex, who works for the Goldeyes, and we even crossed paths with our friends from Post Polio Network Manitoba, Gisele and Estelle.

Winnipeg and Manitoba have been so wonderful to the Cycle to Walk campaign. A big thanks to Jackie and Brendan Madden for hosting the team over the past week! Also, thanks to Chris’ sister Jess and her boyfriend Jay for helping us out so much over the past few days. We’ll see you in Newfoundland.

Ontario, get ready for the Cycle to Walk. We’re ready to roll!