3 OUT OF 4 AIN'T BAD - as the song almost goes.

For the last couple of weeks there has been talk of my engagement in Canada ending on May 6th rather than in September. This would cause all sorts of issues in my life: not least that I would have nowhere to live at such short notice. This also threw into doubt my carefully laid plans for the bike rally. When your future lies in someone else's hands all you can do is prepare a "Plan B". 


"Plan B" was to ship myself and the bike back to the UK, rent Guido and Wissy's house, do my training rides with Paul Royle, return to Toronto in July, stay with Harvey & Chris for a few days either side and treat the rally as this years holiday. Cost up, inconvenience up, general "pain in the arseness" up: but manageable.


Also talks have been taking place about the possibility of my partner, Edson, coming and filming the rally. He could join one of the volunteer teams and film between cooking or shipping gear around. Other photographers and video volunteers are in the mix so for an outsider to turn up on the day and film the rally without being in Canada for the months prior to the ride seems unlikely. Some lobbying from Tim & Harvey and samples of his films sent. Fingers crossed.

The boys got kitted with bicycle and helmets so all set to do the training ride this Sunday with my two sons. Given its still bloody cold over here I hunted high and low for waterproof jackets and long gloves in preparation for the ride. 


So how did that all work out .......................


The client, our Canadian office and my boss struck a deal and as a consequence I am here until September after all. These things are never certain even when the fat lady sings, but it is as certain as it can be (even in Canada where there are lots of fat ladies to sing).  


We were told this week that the rally committee has agreed that Edson can come and film. He doesn't need to be a volunteer so can concentrate on filming. Best result we could have hoped for.


But..... with 70KM winds at wind chill -4 and the forecast of snow we are NOT doing the training ride. 50km at those temperatures gives us nothing in return for the unpleasantness. I did 60km last week so the distance is doable and as the rally is in July our problems will be dehydration and heat. Arctic training has no value. Thankfully other established riders feel the same so not feeling guilty. Feeling no envy at all for the temps in London (he says through gritted teeth). 


And the Fourth .......  


My sponsorship has risen 10 fold since this time last week. I burst through my $2200 minimum so raised my target to $5000 and with 100 days to go I am confident. THANK YOU EVERYONE and please help me by pushing my blog and donation page on Facebook. 


Finally ........ given how pleased as I am to stay in Toronto until September it seems fitting that I let you see my new waterproof ..... 

TTFN 
David x