TERRY FOX MEMORIAL (MILE 0) NEWFOUNDLAND

This morning Dad was at the Terry Fox memorial (Mile 0) where he was interviewed by CBC and VOCM News this morning.

Also on hand was the Mayor of St. John's Dennis O'Keefe and the Minister of Trade and Rural Development on behalf of the Provincial Government Shawn Skinner who congratulated dad on his trip across Canada.

Dad and Brian arrived at Harbour Park to dip their tires in the Atlantic to officially end dad's cross Canada journey.

The mayor invited dad to sign the official register today at 2:30 and his signature will sit right next to Governor General Michaelle Jean who visited St. John's last week. Privilege only for officials/royals and special accomplishments which is dad's.

A BIG THANK YOU to Keith Peters who sent these pictures of this morning.  Keith is a fellow employee of Russel Metals and cycled with dad and Brian the last few kilometers into St. John's yesterday.  Here is a quote from his email he sent to me.

"It is an an amazing accomplishment and has brought awareness to Thyroid cancer. I have enjoyed the short but meaningful time with Gary and Brian.  All family and friends should be very proud of Gary's accomplishment."

RUSSEL METALS - ST. JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND

Yesterday was a huge success at Russel Metals St. John's. Mike and Keith met up with dad and Brian for the last few kilometers and cycled in with them. Russel Metals hosted an amazing welcome. A BIG THANK YOU to Craig White for the photos.

Dad had a little spill yesterday and fell off of his bike.  He is fine as you can see in the video, but he has a bit of road rash on his arm and leg.  To find the positive in the fall, it was his last day and Brian was with him.  After it had happened, a car stopped and asked if they were ok.  It was an off duty police officer.  Needless to say, Brian and him know some of the same people.  The off duty police officer must of told the RCMP because a few drove by and checked in with dad and Brian to see if they were ok or needed anything.  A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!

DAY 5 NEWFOUNDLAND - COME BY CHANCE TO ST. JOHN'S

Today is it!  Dad and Brian are off to St. John's.  The weather has definitely held out for them.  They have been swimming in the lakes along the way and resting on top of picnic tables to dry off.

Yesterday they had a good ride.  A few good hills to climb.  They arrived at Tanker Inn last evening ready for a nice relaxing evening.  THANK YOU to Russel Metals St. John's who donated the accommodations.  A BIG THANK YOU to two gentlemen who paid for supper last evening as their donation to dad's journey.

Tomorrow morning at 9 am they will be at the Terry Fox Monument in St. John's and dad will dip his wheel in the ocean.  The "true cross Canada journey" will be completed.

DAY 4 NEWFOUNDLAND - GAMBO TO COME BY CHANCE

Yesterday, dad and Brian were greeted at the turn off to Gambo.  The local chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society had some survivors on hand to welcome them to town.  They were escorted to their hosts by a fire truck where community and church members were on hand to meet them and have a bite to eat.  The United Church minister and the Mayor were on hand and had a chance to have a nice chat.  A BIG THANK YOU to Natalie Hagerty and her parents who hosted dad and Brian last evening.

The UCC minister on the Campbellton Pastoral Charge, Betty Robbins lives in Loon Bay which is approximately 30 km away from the TCH at the turn-off for Lewisporte. She rearranged her day so she would be able to meet up with dad and Brian yesterday.  She flagged them down just east of Appleton and gave a donation.  A HUGE THANK YOU!

The weather yesterday was cloudy with showers.  They stopped at a tourist bureau to sign the guest book and it just started to pour.  They waited out the rain for 30 minutes and when they left it was wet, but they were dry.

Today they are on their way to Come By Chance.  They have approximately 157km today.  They were on the road by 6:30 am and it is a beautiful sunny day.

DAY 3 NEWFOUNDLAND - SOUTH BROOK TO GAMBO

Dad and Brian were greeted on the highway at the exit to South Brook last evening by Lewis, their host to escort them into South Brook.  There was a "meet and greet" where dad and Brian got the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people.  The local newspaper showed up to do a story as well.  A BIG THANK YOU to Hope and Lewis who hosted dad and Brian last evening and for arranging the meet & greet!

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a bike ride.  They took the time to stop at Grand Lake (picture) for a swim and to wash their clothes.  Off they went feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.  Dad stopped at a store to get a bottle of water and upon entering he heard "so your the guy."  Dad was told that they had heard his daughter on the radio outlining his journey.  (My 30 seconds of fame).  Dad was handed a few donations and received quite a few honks as they were cycling.

Today dad and Brian are off to Gambo approximately 25 miles (47 km) east of Gander.  The original destination was to be Gander, but there is a member of Trinity United whose parents live in Gambo and she and her family are in Gambo for a visit and invited dad and Brian to spend the evening.  They have approximately 217km today to Gambo.

DAY 2 NEWFOUNDLAND - CORNER BROOK TO SOUTH BROOK

Dad and Brian arrived in Corner Brook last evening after a long, but beautiful day of cycling.  The weather stayed with them, but it was definitely on the hot side.  They went through quite a bit of water and gatorade.

Yesterday they were greeted in Port aux Basques by Cordell and his wife.  Cordell works for Russel Metals and they both had big smiles.  Now remember this would have been around 4:30 am and yes they were greeted with smiles.

Today dad and Brian are off to South Brook.  The weather looks good, calling for cloudy periods, but sunshine.  They have approximately 185 km today.

DAY 1 NEWFOUNDLAND - PORT aux BASQUES TO CORNER BROOK

Well, here we are again.  Dad is completing his "true cross Canada journey" and is now in Newfoundland.  Russel Metals in St. John's is making this possible as they extended an invitation to dad to come to Newfoundland and are supporting him in his journey.  Also, Brian (my husband) decided to take the time and cycle with dad across Newfoundland.  Brian had cycled down Vancouver Island as part of Cops for Cancer when we lived in Victoria, BC and is quite excited to be part of dad's journey to raise awareness for thyroid cancer.  When Brian cycled Vancouver Island it was called "Tour de Rock."  He is wearing his Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock cycling shirt, shorts, & jacket and it is only fitting as he is cycling the Rock on the East Coast.

Dad and Brian ended up getting on an earlier ferry than anticipated and arrived in Port aux Basques around 3 am this morning.  Their plan:  hang out at Tim Hortons until daylight to start their journey.  I heard from them around 10 am and they were already 80km into their ride.  Today they are cycling 220km to Corner Brook.  The weather is sunny and the wind is calm - great day for cycling!  When they were at Tim's this morning they heard about dad on the news.  As well, he made the front page of the VOCM Newspaper.   http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=8325

VOCM also has an open line show on the radio.  I am going to call in tomorrow afternoon to give an update.  The show time is 2 to 4 pm.  You can listen live on their website.  http://www.vocm.com/index.asp  The buzz has started in Newfoundland.  Let's keep it going and end dad's cross Canada journey by raising thyroid cancer awareness and funds for cancer research!

TRUCKING TO NEWFOUNDLAND

Complimentary of Russel Metals, Dad and Brian are catching a ride to the ferry to head to Newfoundland. They loaded their bikes and are now on the road to start their journey from Port aux Basques tomorrow morning.

NEWFOUNDLAND - HERE WE COME!

Dad and Brian are leaving for Newfoundland tomorrow (Sunday, August 15th).  They are on the 11 pm boat which docks around 5:30 am Monday and they are cycling from Port Aux Basques to Corner Brook their first day.

THANK YOU to Tim Hortons who gave dad a $50 gift card for his Newfoundland trip, and a THANK YOU to Bill's Cycle and Sport Shop in St. John's who is boxing the bikes for the plane ride back to Halifax.  They are donating the cost of boxing dad's bike.

Check out the list of supporters to see everyone who has made this trip a reality and a dream come true for dad.
http://garybikingsupporters.blogspot.com/

ARTICLE FROM THE NORTHERN LIGHT PAPER IN NB

 Unfortunately, I could not get the whole article on the blog in a size that is readable.  The article outlines dad's trip across Canada as well as his welcome in Bathurst.  It highlights the weather conditions of his trip, the surprise welcome in Bathurst, the wonderful homecoming at Point Pleasant Park, and the BBQ held at Trinity United in dad's honour.