Judi Garrison

One day after completing the inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer from Vancouver to Seattle, a group of riders, including members of the Wedgewood Cycling Team embarked on the “Journey Home” from Seattle. On Monday, June 22nd 2009 they retraced their steps from the previous two days of cycling.

The Journey Home Team

The team was led by Wedgewood Hotel & Spa General Manager Philip Meyer and former professional cyclist and Olympic medallist, Axel Merckx. They were  joined by Axel’s wife, Jodi, a former professional triathlete;  Vancouver businessmen David Cohen, Chairman and CEO of Gold Wheaton and Damon Williams, President of Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management; and Wedgewood Cycling Team members John Litherland, owner of Events On-line and Michael Sileika, a Senior Manager with Deloitte &Touche. Support was provided by a crew of Wedgewood Cycling Team members. The following is the day as seen through the eyes of Judi Garrison, part of the support team.

The morning started bright and early at 6am with a group breakfast. Graham had a plate of enormous pancakes to eat and he was just the driver. In a desperate attempt to delay the inevitable ride, Axel was determined that we were not leaving until the plate of pancakes was complete (he didn’t finish them by the way). The group riding back consisted of Philip Meyer, Axel and Jodi Merckx, John Litherland, Mike Sileka, David Cohen and Damon Williams. They began the ride at 7.30am which was about half an hour behind schedule. After departing the fabulous Willows Inn Resort the group circled around town for about fifteen minutes while they tried to figure out why some of the left and right turns were reversed on the route instructions.

Unfortunately Graham and I had gotten stuck behind a road crew and were unable to guide them via GPS. As we came into radio range, the first thing we heard was Philip anxiously declaring, “We certainly can’t do circles around here all day.

Once we were back together and we had our directions figured out it was time to tackle some of the steepest climbs of the day. Always a great way to start an epic 230 km day. To even better improve the morale in the group, the skies opened about half way up the second climb and a nice head wind also showed to test the already weary legs. Dave pulled up to the side of the motor home and declared with his sarcastic wit, “What the hell is this. I don’t remember signing up for this.”

John and Damon driving the train.

Once the road flattened out the group of seven began setting a blistering pace that was held for most of the day. The group working very well together with some very strong engines working the front. Never tell JL and Damon that you have to be some where at a certain time and then tell them you left half an hour late. I am sure Axel could have easily brought the ride up another level but being the awesome husband that he is, remained mindful of Jodi and her desire to complete the journey. I believe that they averaged over 32 kph and that was astounding to witness from my comfy window seat. Vince and Mo took up the rear of the group in Mike’s truck while Graham and I played lead vehicle. The radios were a lot of fun and handy for warning of quick turns, construction zones, wrong directions and enabling Philip to do periodic time checks to ensure that he would get to his son’s 6:00 pm graduation on time.

AM / PM: Axel and Philip

The group meandered through beautiful countryside, quaint towns, Highway 9 and even spent a short stint on the Centennial Bike path which is a paved over rail bed used almost exclusively by cyclists. Mike apparently suffered a flat on this section but it must have been a record tube change as they arrived at the north end of the trail right on time. (Axel’s experience perhaps?) We met them in Arlington at the end of the bike path with hot drinks and some snacks. The weather somewhat cleared and we were off towards the coast and the infamous Chuckanut Drive.

Chuckanut was a 20km stretch of sheer beauty running above the ocean, very twisty and quite narrow and all the vehicles we backed up were extremely patient and courteous. Despite PM’s concerns aobut Graham navigating a 28 foot motor home up the Chuckanut, we made it safe and sound at our lunch break location in Fairhaven Park, just south of Bellingham. It was here that Philip received his much anticipated quiche, straight from the microwave of the motor home. The biggest challenge of PM’s day did not stem from the ride but from trying to hold off Axel from eating his lunch. Next year, more quiche.

The Team on Chuckanut Drive

The group continued  their relentless pace and after a gas stop in Ferndale we decided to separate and make a run for the border. Knowing that the riders would not have a line-up to deal with we wanted to try and jump ahead and hopefully minimize any gap to the riders once back in Canada. Time was starting to look questionable for Philip to be back on the West Side for 6:00 so the contingency plan was for PM to jump in Mike’s truck once in White Rock and head home to avoid a crash course in Divorce Court 101. As luck would have it we encountered a 45 minute border line-up and Philip was forced to complete the ride on a route that Dave and Graham devised to expedite them back to Guilford. I don’t think Philip would have slept for a week had he pulled the plug with less than 25 km to go. We arrived at Guildford about two minutes after the riders completed thier epic journey home.

Philip made it to his son’s graduation and yes, he even had time to shower.
We stood in amazement at the ride they had accomplished, this group worked so well together, helping each other the entire way. It was mentally tough and physically exhausting and even I had a challenge juggling the blackberry GPS, the Garmin, the team radio, and my daughter texting me that she was lost in a medical building and needed to find her way.

All said and done we are very proud to have been involved in such a great day with such an important purpose and all the riders were inspiring to watch. Mike even called the next day to let us know he had recovered his stolen bike. You wanna talk about good karma?

Can’t wait for next year!!

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