Day 1 - What a Day!!!

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Ritchie and Caroline arrived on time at Mile 0 for the start of their amazing Ride.

A shot with what is probably the most inspirational person Canada has ever been blessed with and a person that that has been in all our minds and will continue be as we cross this beautiful country.  Hard not to get emotional in the presence of this beautiful monument.

 The group continues to build.

 Mean Green Team

Many of the bike club members that rode with Ritchie, Caroline and their daughter Shevaun to the Swartz Bay Ferry.

 Ritchie's very inspirational Speech.

 

Preparing for the start.

 It was an awesome start for this 5000 km. journey and included a Police and Fire escort along with 25 riders.

Some of Caroline's co-workers that cheered her on as she passed her workplace.





Ritchie's fellow workers were just as enthusiastic, but we got too far behind to capture any shots.

 Preparing to get off the Ferry in Tsawwassen.

Caroline, Shevaun and Ritchie received a wonderful welcome when they arrived at Honour House in Westminster.

Craig Longstaff gave us a tour of this amazing facility for Veterans and First Responders suffering from PTSD.  This is an amazing healing place with an extraordinary volunteer staff.  I will cover it in more detail at a later date.  It reminded all of us of the homey atmosphere of the Stedman Hospice back in Brantford, Ontario.

All proceeds from these awesome bracelets from Brass & Unity (created by a female veteran who suffered from PTSD) go to Honour House.  Looking at this on our wrist daily will remind us of the purpose of our odyssey.

We finished up the day near White Rock, BC.    113 km, even with all the stops.

This is a day that will remain with me for a long time.  It really brought to full realization the significance this journey has.

Ride On!