Last Sunday a week ago, I’ve skated the 50 Kms of the `Toronto Bike Tour` as my share to raise money for the MS Society.
Everything went well!
The weather was great for this event: just a little bit cool to start in the morning but under a blue sky with just enough clouds to mask the sun and keep me cool all the time. A very slight breeze also helped me especially in the second half of the event.
The route was identical to the previous years, along the Humber River for most of the time and in residential areas of western Toronto. I now know the trail very well, all its up- and down-hills, the curves, the rougher sections (too many for me) and even the cracks in the asphalt (the skater’s nightmares!).
I’ve decided to enjoy the ride and the scenic route. But, I was a little excited and I started at a good pace, passing many bikers somehow surprised to see this rider on eight wheels instead of two!
I reached the half-way point in 1:03 hour and turned away not before recharging the battery with some Gatorade! I knew the second half was to be somehow tougher with more up-hills including a long one about 250 meters long but quite steep. Overall, I felt better than the previous years. I’m sure that the regular training with my skating club (Toronto Inline Skating Club) and a slightly better skating technique contributed for a lot.
I completed the event in 2:19 or 10 minutes faster and in a better shape compared to last year.
While pushing on my skates, I thought about all those who are affected by MS. With your support and generosity (and the Molson Coors Canada matching gift program contributing dollar for dollar its employees’ donations), I‘ve given to the MS Society $5050. For some, this could look a large amount but in fact it’s not too much when you think about all costs to find a cure to this disease. In the past few years, it looks like real progress has been made towards finding some solution to this disease and a cure is almost at arm’s reach. But it’s not yet time to give up!
I’m determined to skate for MS as long as I can. So I’ll meet again with you next year!
Thanks again!
Posted by Peter Doucet 
