Day 21 started off having breakfast with our good friends Pauline and Norm Jackson. Norm made sure he hydrated himself well in preparation for the cycle from Campleville to Brampton. Ralf was meeting anyone who wanted to join Norm and him as they cycled to picturesque Brampton. He was greeted by his brother Uwe (pronounced by one as Ooh-Vay ),his sister in law Barb,mother Erika. They preferred to drive in a/c vehicle.So at 12:30 Ralf and Norm on bicycles,Uwe,Pauline and myself headed out along 5th sideroad from Mohawk Inn with the sound of bagpipers. Initially it was thought that Glenn Mottershead had arranged for the group of bagpipers to pipe Ralf in but it's hard to run and bagpipe at the same time...so I'm told. Apparently the group of bagpipers practice Sat am in the parking lot of the Mohawk Inn.Having seen a guest room at the Mohawk Inn I'd rather sleep in my car in the parking lot.
At the corner of Winston Churchill and 5th sideroad (Embleton Rd.,Huttonville) we were met by throngs of well wishers; an unmarked police car and a fire engine.The fire engine led the procession home; the unmarked police car would pull ahead to stop traffic at intersections the whole time keeping their flashing lites on and sounding the sirens as needed. This was quite the amazing site. Cars would pull over to the soft shoulder when they would see the fire engine coming only to see it was followed by a Forrest Gump looking character on a Giant (make) bike. The crowd on Ridgehill Drive were awaiting with a Finish Line banner expecting to see Ralf come in off Parkend but I called them at last minute to say fire engine was going down Kingsview...so the banner holders quickly shuffled to point it in the opposite direction. What a perfect ending to an amazing accomplishment. A big thank you to Glenn Mottershead and the boys at the Party Centre- Ron Hanley and Rick Patywich for contacting the fire and police department for their support and involvement. Pauline Jackson told the police "that this was the first time I had been in the presence of a police officer with a siren sounding and it was a good thing."
Robyn ,Terry and Christian did a great of getting place ready for bbq. Sue and Don made terrific Finish Line banners and everyone else who was here in spirit or body made Ralf's Ride a success. Saturday's ( last fundraiser) bbq made $3380. An annoymous donor said the money raised would be matched dollar for dollar so another $3380.00 was donated bringing yesterday's total to $6760.00. So far the amount raised that has been raised is $12,308.00. That does not include a donation of $2000.00 by another friend;$50.00 to be dropped off today. We are still hoping to reach the $15,000.00 mark as sponsorship continues to come in.We will post the final tally when all is said and done.
Ralf will return to work yesterday wearing ?what? After he embarked on his trek I took all his suits and several shirts to the dry cleaners.Told them there's no rush.I was going to pick them up before he returned home EXCEPT I wasn't home to pick them up. Ralf's mom called this am and I told her about the suits.She thought it would be a good idea if Ralf went into work wearing his cycling clothes.I didn't have the heart to tell her Ralf had a sacrificial offering (burning) of the cycling garments last nite....fire truck left site too soon. Saved bike as silent bid was too good to ignore/burn.
I will also blog "what things I would do differently" for those embarking on a similar trek :) or :(
FYI.Ralf started journey at 217 pounds;weighed in this morning at 205 pounds.Total weight loss of 12 pounds.I'm sure after the beard goes it will probably be more.Depending how much I may start shaving my face too!
...to be continued..............
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