Pledges for the Asthma Society of Canada are starting to roll in as bikes from all over the world are doing the same. Brightly-coloured jerseys decorate the streets of downtown Fernie as riders gather before the first stage in Panorama Sunday morning.
The Blackstone Fernie Teams had a successful Fundraising Dinner Wednesday evening. The generous donation of a wonderful 4-course meal by Park Place Lodge and wine from Tinhorn Creek, allowed all the proceeds from the evening to go directly to the Society of Asthma Canada. Over $3,700 was raised as friends and supporters purchased tickets for the $75 a plate event.
Stories were shared, Dr. Virginia Robinson spoke briefly on the benefits of a non-profit Asthma Society in Canada, and a $1,000 donation was made by the Blackstone Transrockies Society in memory of a well-known local, Peter Sturmhoesel who died of asthma in his early thirties. Peter was a skier, mountain biker, husband and friend to many active Fernie residents. As someone who has struggled with an asthma attack fearfully at times in the Emergency Room, it was a very real and touching moment for me.
The Volunteer Canadian Ski Patroller Association, whom Michelle is an active member, also presented a cheque for $200.
Park Place Lodge’s fundraiser dinner
Gordon Sombrowski presenting Shayne, Pepper, Sebastine & Michelle with a cheque
Ken McRitchie (Blackstone) & Dan Savage (Fernie Event Director) presenting a second cheque
Now Shayne and I are packing his camp trailer, gathering the extra bike parts and nutrition supplements and generally keeping too busy to be nervous. At the last minute yesterday, picking up the motor-home that was pre-arranged, we were turned back at the border on a technicality that Canadian residents can’t use a motor-home rented in the US for Canadian recreation. Is a 7-day mountain bike race through the Rockies raising awareness for asthma recreation? But to no avail, we tried everything … so time to change plans at the last minute.
Michele and Sebastian are dealing with their own preparation issues as Sebastian awaits a new bike frame or the loan of another bike to solve the problem of a last minute cracked frame on the bike he has been riding throughout all the training.
We’ll all get it together in time to join the throng of 500+ colourful, tuned athletes at the race start. One day at a time, one obstacle at a time in preparations and throughout the race.
See you in the mountains.
Pepper
