Day 1.

What a way to begin!  The weather was perfect - a little cool in the morning and a slight breeze but a beautiful day for riding!  Riders included Pops, Mom, Shannon, Tom Casey, Phillip Casey and Carl Ames.  Dad and Carl did awesome.  Mom completed her longest ride yet on the tandem with Shannon.

I don't have any pictures for ya because I was taking video and didn't see anything that really caught my eye.  The scenery is incredible - everything is green.  A color this AZ guy isn't real use to.

About 11 miles in we crossed the Alex Frazer bridge - it was sweet.  I took, what I hope is good, video of us riding across it.

Thanks to Allison for helping guides us through Canada and all her work on setting up the start of our Ride.  Thanks to Kelly for providing us the route from YVR to the border.

The border crossing went smooth.  They didn't make anyone unpack the vehicles.  Ok, the bikes did get separated from the SAGs but the craziest thing happened.  The bikers found a nice place to chill and all of a sudden Rachel drives by.  Then, about 30 minutes later, while we are eating pizza, Jer H drives by.  We finished are pizza, Thanks Tom!, and headed to Bellingham.

Oh yeah, we had another passerby stop and donate to the cause.  He passed us while we were stopped for a snack in Canada.  He turned around, rolled down his window, handed Rachel some money and said "Thanks for what you are doing.  My Dad had PD."  It is moments like this that encourage me to keep going.  Not that Dad isn't enough of a reason, but when a stranger approaches you and says Thanks for what you are doing because my relative has/had PD, the encouragement is humbling and empowering.

Today - I rode for Dad.  The man is incredible.  He has a bum knee, damaged ribs and PD and still road well beyond exhaustion.  Thanks Dad for being a role model of perseverance.  Kudos to you for an amazing day of riding.