After 840KM the team arrives in Montreal
By Greg Davis

After a few mistakes and a a couple wrong turns, we made it to our meeting at very cold and windy Confederation Park in Hawkesbury. A hardy Sherry Barton met us for a few words and some pictures.

We rolled into Ste. Anne de Bellevue around noon. I had arranged to meet Victor's buddy Huntley Addie at the spot we lost Vic. I was really glad to see that Vic's other buddy, Olympic diver, Dave Bedard came out as well. So nice to see him! What could be than better than Two of Vic's buddies helping me honor him?

It was a bittersweet meeting. Hunt shared what happened that last night with us and showed us where everything happened.

I had brought a container of water from Vic's pool in Guelph and I shared it with everybody that was there; Hunt, Dave, our riders; Terry and Grant, my road crew, Sabrina and Lori and I was joined by Cynthia MacGregor and her pal, Ijaz. We all stuck out our hands and I poured some on everybody's.

We then went to the very spot where Vic had been struck and after a moment's pause for reflection we poured it out on the road; and at Huntley's suggestion, on my bike's front tire. Nice....

Cynthia and Ijaz guided us down some breathtaking bike trails to down town Montreal. We passed canals and a squillion other cyclists on the way.

Then an infernal bee stung me! Undaunted I carried on. What luck would that be? Going into anaphlactic shock 4 K. from the finish.......

We climbed a few short hills and cruised past a beautiful park There were cyclists everywhere! This town knows how to treat its riders.

There are even B.C,'s; short term rental bike everywhere. for five dollars, you can get a bike bike, ride it to your destination, and leave it there. Then you go out to the special racks that the bikes lock to and grab another. How cool is that?

When we arrived at Notre Dame there was a crown gathered. Bridgitte and Manon from Transplant Quebec greeted us along with quite a few doctors and nurses from I.C.U. and the transplant section. Global TV spoke to us and so did The Gazette. My Dad and step-mom were there; I was so glad to see them. I know Dad was worried about me being on the roads. we never grow up in parent's eyes, do we?

I looked down at my cycle computer. It read exactly 840.0 Kilometers! Can you believe that?

The most touching was meeting little Zoe Bernard; a three-year-old heart recipient. She had been in for some tests and was a tired and a little shy. I presented her with a crystal heart that my manager Sabrina had picked out along with a couple of stuffed animals.

Typical of three-year-olds, she was happier with the green balloon she picked from the decorations. Kids like simple things.

After a few more talks to some organ recipients and the media, we headed over to La Maison de Cycliste where they had some yummy and nutritious snacks. Warren had joined us from Guelph and he liked the olive loaf.

However, I had been a very good boy for a very long time I was long over-due for some poutine. A short jaunt down the street and I had a small trough of deep fried cholesterol to go. Yum!

Tonight; a few beers to relax. I think I've earned them.

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