Follow Ramesh's Journey

Our last day of rest was sure busy! Cycle to Walk had the opportunity to speak with students at both Valemount Elementary and Secondary Schools.
I really enjoy sharing the message of Cycle to Walk with people in the communities we visit.

It’s interesting to learn how some people decide to move to these small towns. While at a coffee shop, we met a lady from Africa who had thrown a dart at a map of Canada to determine where she was going to move. The dart landed in Tete Jaune Cache, just up the road from Valemount, so that’s why she moved here and opened up her lovely coffee shop (which has great mochaccinos by the way). The owner of the coffee shop applauded the messages of Cycle to Walk, informing us that she has witnessed polio survivors crawling on the ground because they have not had access to braces and crutches first-hand.

This afternoon I had an opportunity to meet an elite athlete and national team member of Canada’s Cycling Team, Jean Ann McKirdy. We went for a ride, spoke about Cycle to Walk and its messages, and she was very supportive of our cause.  Thanks for coming out, Jean Ann!
Bike maintenance is essential on non-cycling days. I need to ensure all the screws are tight, check the tire pressure of all three tires, and de-grease and grease the bike chain. Today I was able to complete my bike maintenance and talk to Dr. Allon Reddoch the President of the Cycle to Walk Society simultaneously.  There’s always time to talk to Allon.

I recently learned that Allon is a candidate for Yukon’s Volunteer of the Year to honour all the hard work he has done for the Cycle to Walk polio campaign. Allon, I just want to say that the campaign would not be where it’s at if it wasn’t for you and I truly appreciate your continued leadership, guidance, and support!

At this point in the journey, we are about 120kms outside Jasper, Alberta. Tomorrow will mark one of the biggest hand-cycling days of the entire 7200 km journey. We will officially enter the Canadian Rockies and I will be cycle parts of the base of the largest mountain in the range, Mt. Robson.  There are about 40 km of intense incline with grades as high as 6% in some locations. Chris Simpson took me on a reconnaissance trip to view the road ahead of us tomorrow, and boy, do I have some work to do.

I’m excited by the physical challenge ahead,  and I remind myself that if I don’t hand cycle through these mountains, the important messages of Cycle to Walk – polio eradication, education, and rehabilitation – won’t be heard by the rest of Canada.

Tonight the team was treated to a wonderful meal put on by the Valemount Anglican/United Church. There, we were introduced to dog #3 of the Cycle to Walk dog fan club.  Welcome Lady! Who would think that there would be 2 dogs named Lady within a week? Craziness! Later in the evening, we provided a Cycle to Walk information session where we had about a dozen people come out and learn more about the campaign. Thanks to the staff at the Valemont information Centre for allowing us to use the space.
The purpose of Cycle to Walk is not about racing from one end of the country to the other – it’s about community engagement and getting people in our country together to raise funds to eradicate polio, and help the polio survivors of our world. Valemont has heard the Cycle to Walk message and the en-route team thanks everyone in Valemount for the small-town-big-heart welcome we’ve received over the past couple of days.