The Last Day of the 2007 Shade Crusade

Day 7  – The last day of the 2007 Crusade. 

For Team Canada, day seven started with an Advil to curb last nights Samba Extravaganza at the Black Box.  Today’s ride into San Jose was to be just over 90 miles. We saddled up in short order after Breakfast back at the “Black Box”.

Team Canada:  John Mc Neil, Phil Graham, Wanda Kowalski, Greg Hill, Marian Makar, Joanna Nakeff, & Warren Hoselton

Warren Hoselton:

To me the last day of each tour is always a bitter-sweet day.  It’s a ride that wraps up the personal and physical challenges of each rider.  The end also ushers in the financial commitments to the TREE Fund which keeps the Research and Education wheels turning long after ours stop.  While we tend to hurry to the end and then rush to pack up the bikes, I try to savour the Tour accomplishments and the life long memories shared with friends on the road.  The Tour itself is truly a symphony of team work streaming from all involved with Paul and Lynn at the hub.  Some of my unforgettable metal snap shots saved to my grey-drive include: 

Al Gilens “at work”

Al Gilen’s smile and click at every turn it seems!  Stuart’s Annual Texas Back-Cracker. The Red woods that tower over and hog the skies. Karl Parker cheering us up the gravel hill. The comfort of seeing the Toaster at the beginning and end of each day.  Timmy W doing his Grow Tree Grow thing.  The Breathtaking vistas and cliffs along the coast.  Flashing thumbs up to Cathy and Thom.  “Be the Change” and “Smell the Dairy Air” reminders.  The team work that conquers each and every flat. The groovin’ congo-line at the Black Box.   Meeting Gord and Ned.   The sheer magnitude of the Golden Gate Bridge.  The sight and scent of giant Eucalyptus trees that lined the roads. The Yummy Boxed lunches. And, the ultimate; my family waving the red and white as I wheeled into Arena Green in San Jose.  And for my T.C.  team mates – I love you guys eh!   

Phil Graham:

  

Clem Desjardins and Dick Rideout

Since we had ridden together for so much of the Tour, Clem DesJardins, Dick Rideout and I stuck together one more time for the last day, linking up with other groups of riders from time to time. As Warren says, it is a bitter-sweet day, where your legs are telling you they are good with the Tour coming to an end, but your mind not wanting to let go.

      

Tree Planting at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California      

Pacific Grove tree planting by Tree Movers, Inc.

The memories will linger, as will the legacy of the Tour in the new trees planted along the way. I keep telling myself I’ll have to visit some of these places sometime, checking out all the things we never have time to do while riding, and checking up on our trees. Keep on riding, and keep the rubber side down.

Marian Makar: This year’s Shade Crusade was my fifth year on the tour and will truly go down in my memory books as one of the most physically and mentally challenging tours that I have done.  Every tour is unique in its own way and I have come away with special memories from each and every one of them, but this year was probably the most fulfilling tour to date.  A few riders on the tour have commented that Team Canada “always sticks together”.  We have a lot of fun training, fund-raising and socializing together and I can’t thank my Team members enough for the support and encouragement each of them give me not only on the tour, but throughout the year.

Marian and Warren take off!

The highlights of this year’s tour for me are:  (1) Riding out of San Francisco in the fog and hearing cars screeching and crashing into each other on the other side of the highway.  That was a terrifying few minutes.  (2) Managing to ride each and every mountain climb (well except for Gravel Mountain which beat me about half way up so, instead of walking up the mountain, I took the easy way out and jumped into Thom’s van until we reached the top).  (3)  My riding buds (and you know who you are) who block the wind and stick by my side even though I know you can go faster.  (4) Having my best friend share this year’s tour with me.  For those of you who don’t know, Joanna and I met back in Grade 3 and have been friends ever since. (5) Having my husband Ossie meet me at the finish line was a very special treat. A very special thanks to Susan Mentis and John Wilson (both former Canadian tour riders) for their continued support and involvement during the course of the year.  Also special thanks to Paul, Kathy, Joanna and Thom who went out of their way to look after my special dietary requirements.  Last but not least, thanks to everyone who makes these tours a success in every way.

Greg Hill: For me the final day of the Tour is always a time to reflect as the routine of waking up, shower, breakfast, luggage and back on the bike again, with all those familiar faces, comes to an end:-We’re doing a great thing in raising awareness and funds for much needed Research… what would our cities be like without trees?

 -It’s always a pleasure to see those old familiar faces, pumped and ready to put themselves to the challenge once again.

Tour veterans Tom Ordway and Steven Asplundh

-Watching and encouraging the first timers, sharing in their experiences, accomplishments and firsts as they realize that they didn’t train enough….because no one can imagine the  physical and mental challenges of the Tour, you have to experience them. -No one rides the Tour alone as everyone has a hand in some way during the week to help everyone else…whether they know it or not.-I’m proud to be part of Team Canada, which keeps growing in numbers, enthusiasm and accomplishments.-The people, the friendships, the camaraderie and the great discussions and experiences along the road are priceless.-Dancing at the bottom of Karl’s “gravel hill shortcut” and later reviewing his words of wisdom about two thirds of the way up.

Warren, Marian, Karl, Greg, & Wanda

-Knowing that next year will be shorter and flatter…according to Tom….but I’ve heard that before. -And it was especially nice to see Gordon and Ned who helped to bring back a few quiet and thoughtful memories of an old friend.

John McNeil: As one of the two ‘rookies’ on  Team Canada and someone new to cycling I had a pre-conceived  idea of what the Tour des Trees might be like when recruited by ‘Captain’ Greg. Our small Canadian contingent helped me along the way: Marian patiently answered every one of my frantic last minute emails about what to pack. My initial feeling, after exchanging hugs with my  MFI Class of  2006 pal Dana who had come to say ‘good luck’ at the formal State Capital send off, was ‘I’m going to need more than luck, man, to keep up this pace for 500 miles.’ Not too long after though I found my comfort zone and settled in with my new pacing pal, Kristin, who kept me from making many a wrong turn.My favorite day was riding through the vineyards in Sonoma Valley with Gord, Wanda and Kristin followed by a 1 mile swim at the Sonoma State university pool and then a shooting the breeze session with Jesse and John topped off by an after dinner ‘hydration’ session in the hot tub exchanging ski vacation stories.Initially, I pictured being with a group comprised of the sort of industry professional who I’ve had the privilege to meet all over this continent – the sort of person who you can immediately feel has the passion and commitment for trees and who just happens to be  ‘into’ cycling. I found this individual throughout the tour and these riders, for the most part, left me in awe: Not simply with their pure athletic ability – as Dean put it: “I have two gears: 21mph and 24 mph “- but with their  pure joy of being on the road mile after long mile or wowing the Mayor of Santa Monica with a spirited “grow tree grow’ cheer during an early morning pre-ride tree planting ceremony on the campus of UCSC overlooking the majestic coastline.

“Grow tree Grow!”- Tree planting at University of California, Santa Cruz campus

One example which illustrates this Tour des Tree rider occurred on the last day -about 10 miles from the end. The ‘hammerheads’ had likely been cooling their heels long ago at the finish line. Those of us sweeping up the rear were still out there on the road when one of our group got one of those countless flats. First I tried my hand at coaxing the stubborn inner tube into place. Thom and Stuart had willingly given me an advanced lesson on flats during the glorious day that we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. Then Al, with his 73 years of experience, gave it a try. We were hot and thirsty and tired but wanted to finish – badly. Just when we thought we were done for Scott came breezing up.

 

Scott and Carson Baker as part of the peleton

Using his own spare he fixed it. He then lead us in a determined ‘sprint’ to catch up with his wife Jenise, down the last slope, through the seemingly never ending intersections and navigated from one ‘green pavement marking’ to the next ‘till we brought it home…..just as Lynn was about to begin the closing ceremony. By the look on her beautiful face, my #1 fan, my wife Dita, must have come to the conclusion that I was lost for good…… after all the back slapping and picture taking was finished and people were leaving the Park to either continue their vacation or go back to work, I approached Scott to thank him again for stopping and giving up a faster finish. He easily replied “Don’t even mention it. That’s what the Tour’s all about.” I will always remember this rider’s selfless act. Thank you to all my fellow riders and Tour support staff for an enduring experience.

Wanda Kowalski: Over the last few years, I have watched from the sidelines as Marian, Warren and Greg trained for this thing they called Tour des Tress. They sang its praises and told wonderful stories about the physical challenges that were made easy by the friendships and camaraderie that is the essence of the Tour. I had made a few noises over the years to “do” the tour, but not very seriously. It just seemed impossible to think I could get fit enough to ride 600+ miles over 6 days.Then one frosty day after spin class last November, the three of us went to a cycling shop. Next thing I knew, I was the proud owner of a shiny new RED Giant. A Christmas present from Greg, he put his arm around me and said: “Okay, now there’s no excuse.”  Gulp!We started training at Perfect Circles – a fantastic spinning studio at Jane and Major Mackenzie and I had the pleasure of meeting the owners/instructors Tess and Ian. Without their superb instruction, I would never have been able to mentally and physically get ready for the tour. The first month was discouraging: I could not spin for more than 5 minutes without having to get off, lie down on the floor and resist the urge to barf.

The Spin Class team!

In the spring, when we got “on the road”, Warren and Marian and Greg all disentangled me from my bike spokes after many falls after forgetting about my bike shoe clips. We came up with the mantra: “Unclip break Unclip break” and with their “other” invaluable tips, I got stronger and more knowledgeable about the art of cycling. I realized that although the Tour is only seven days, the commitment to riding in it must start months and months and months before. That first day in Sacramento, waiting in the parking lot to ride to Capitol Hill, was wonderfully nerve-racking. It was exhilarating to be part of the sea of yellow jerseys and I had butterflies in my stomach. The first 70 miles was a white-knuckle experience: hills like I’d never experienced before, downhill speeds that I had never attained!

 

Wanda and her best friend, Greg

My best friend Greg stayed by my side through that whole long, long first day, even though he could have finished hours before. Those last 30, uphill miles were, aside from giving birth to a huge boy many moons ago, the most physically gruelling thing I had ever done. Greg encouraged me with his positive energy and love. He put his finger in my back and pushed, he pulled on my jersey, he sang to me. Thom, Kathy (who jumped up and down every time I huffed and puffed by) and Joanna all cheered me on. And I will always be grateful to Logan, who gave me several pushes to keep me going.

 

Wanda gets a push from Logan!

Somehow, I managed to ride 100 miles. I could not have done it without those guys. The Tour is lucky to have such wonderful volunteers. And it was great to meet Gord and Ned who were always so helpful. I was inspired daily by the fortitude and strength of all the veteran riders who made it all look so easy! It was a privilege to part of this worthwhile fundraising tour and I will never forget the kindnesses and support of all the nice people I was so lucky to have met. See y’all next year!

 Joanna Nakeff: Although I’ve been involved with Team Canada’s fundraising events over the past several years, have spent many, many hours spinning with them over our nasty winters, heard ALL the TDT stories and have seen all the pictures…there’s no way that all of that could have prepared me for the ”Actual” Event.  As I sit here on the last day, I have to be honest and tell you that the tour really started for me not 600 miles ago, but all the way across the country and to the north and exactly one year ago when I decided that it was time to experience what those crazy Canucks have been talking about all these years. 

 

Greg and Joanna checking out “memorable moments” of the Tour

The only thing I can tell you is that they totally UNDERSTATED everything…..this ain’t no cycling vacation (as we’ve been told).  It’s a determined group of people, who pour their heart and soul into fundraising for a wonderful and yet often forgotten cause!  I was fortunate enough to be able to see the tour from almost every aspect (which most never experience) and I must say I was impressed by ALL…..from the support team who woke up in the wee hours of the morning to get ready for the riders before they awoke, who stood on guard to protect their flock all day, to shopping at night to prepare for the next morning, who maybe had 1/2 hour at the end of the day to get ready for dinner just in time to shuttle everyone there, to lugging about a million lbs of luggage - WAY TO GO….Ned, Gord, Kathy, Thom, Linda and Joe.  To the mechanics who had their benches set up first thing in the morning and well into the evening when all were going to sleep…thanks guys.  To the people who plan the trip, the tree plantings and promotion sites who at the spur of the moment have to change everything due to City officials, traffic, shortages of info and even lost TV personalities….way to go Paul, Lynn and Tim W. (and all those countless others we don’t see)….it was MY pleasure working with all of you.  To the massage therapists, my neck and shoulders thank you. To the riders (ages 9 to 73), who without them, there would be no TDT.  I always thought that my Canadian cycling friends were crazy but NOW I’m sure of it.  I have always teased my teammates by saying that if we’re cycling from the North to the South, it must be all down hill, right?  But as witnessed, that’s so not the case – damn!  I’m totally inspired by the way you all tackled the mountain upon mountain climbs, fought the traffic, the heat, the fog and yet never gave up.  And to my teammate Wanda, for hitting her first century – we’re all proud of you! 

For this TDT participant the ride may have ended today but the journey will continue and so will the friendships I’ve made.  And to quote a famous Californian Governor…..I’ll be back!!!