Day 19, Ralf's Ride.

Good night at the Delta Inn London Armory. Today is a record day of high Temps.close to 50 c. with the humidity but Ralf battles on. Stopping every 10K. for water. The journey takes them through Brantford, Waterdown and onto to Burlington with Brampton and home now with in easy striking distance. Good news Meagan's injury has improved 75% but with two scratches on her cornea, the team has down so well in Calgary at Nationals.

Day 18, Ralf's Ride.

Up at 5, on the road by 6 another stinking hot day for cycling. Good news is no flats today, thanks Brad. Ralfie crossed the border at 7:30 am. The real good news is Megan is skipping again with protective squash glasses and a patch on her eye. Val and Ralf feel a lot better knowing she is well. Ralf did 75 miles today very good considering the heat, and managed to make it to London via Paris though at times it's easier to navigate in Europe than here on Hwy # 5 leaving  Ralf's bike behind in the search for lunch, but all is well.

Day 17, Ralfs Ride.

Midland MI, was overcast and muggy start to the day. But wait text from Sue Matheson. She heard a song on CHFI dedicated to our hero. A George Michaels song "I Think Your Amazing," we all agree  from P.D.C. Deborah Warwick  called in  for Ralf Jarchow, preamble Big Cycle from Calgary to Brampton dedicated at 8 am., finally 15 minutes of fame, well nearly!!
The temps are hotter 33C, worse on the pavement for Ralf. Frequent stops for fluids as support vehicle at hand. All goes well until an untimely call from Robyn Miller nee Jarchow. Megan Jarchow in Calgary for the National Championships of Rope Jumping, practicing is hit in the Eye with the rope smashing the lense in her right eye and is sent to Emergency. We all hope and pray Meggie is well and will be better soon.
Lexington Lake Huron is their days final destination, 100 miles in the heat and Sarnia is tommorrows goal.

To make an online donation, please contact Tara Stepanian attstepanian@bostonsight.org for next steps.  If you would prefer to write a cheque, please send it to:  Boston Foundation for Sight, 464 Hillside Avenue, Suite 205, Needham, MA 02494 – Attn:  Ralf’s Ride. Also, at the offices of Prouse, Dash and Crouch LLP, 50 Queen Street West, Brampton,L6X4H3 or to Valerie Jarchow, 11 Ridgehill Drive, Brampton,L6Y2C3.

Day 16, Ral's Ride.

Continental breakfast before Ralf set off at 7:30am. Ralf's panniers stowed away in Val's car would make for a lighter ride, the goal today was to hopefully make it beyond Clare, MI 90 miles east, if weather, mostly wind would cooperate. The plan was to meet in Reed City for lunch at the 7 Slot Grill a local watering hole. On his way Ralf stopped for fluids and asked how far to Reed, the clerk replied "that's 5 miles away in this heat, can you make it" Ralfie chuckled to himself and said "He would try."
During lunch there was much banter with the locals and a discussion ensued which hills would do poor Ralf in, not reassuring. Bad weather now had moved in and Ralf pushed on for Evart suffering his 3rd. flat of the day, by flat 4 he's was thinking of changing the name of his ride to "Flats for Sight."
Worse day ever, 8 flats in total. Thankfully in Midland at Ray's bike shop Brad put Ralf right and his worn out tires where replaced with 700 X 23c Specialized All condition Armadillo Elite Kevlar tires, these babies will stop a bullet. Along with a tune-up and tire purchases, Brad sympathetic to Ralf's endeavor only charged for parts and no labour, nice guy. Off to the H Hotel for nourishment and a good sleep. Ralfie is bringing it home now and is less than 300 miles from Brampton.

Day 15, Ralf's Ride

Ralf was up at 3:00 am.to set off riding at 4:00am. to make sure he caught his ferry crossing leaving Manitowoc 90 miles away., and meet Val in Ludington. On his crossing Ralf met a fellow cyclist, Bill was from Portland, Oregon riding to Boston so stories were exchanged on the crossing of their trials and tribulations and Bill promising to support Ralf's Ride for Sight.
Val arrived at 7:00pm. to meet Ralf off the ferry but couldn't recognize him being slender in statue and sporting a beard. Val booked a local hotel and it was off for dinner and an early night for Ralf putting in another long day.

Day 15, Ralfs Ride

Val leaves Sunday morning to meet Ralf at Ludington, Michigan off the ferry.  She will be Ralf's support vehicle for the rest of the journey. As you can see she is armed with a sign to catch the eye of the locals and promote Ralf's Ride.