The weather gods were smiling on the Cops for Cancer Tour de Delta team on Day 7 Wednesday.
It was sunny and warm (ish) as we made our way around Surrey. Things got off to a bit of a chilly start in the morning but all in all it was a beautiful day for a ride.
As I was thinking back on the events of the day, trying to think of something to write about, at first I thought today was a bit of a "run of the mill" day on tour.
We got up, assembled our luggage, had breakfast and set out for the day, making several stops at schools and businesses.
Then as I continued to go over the events of the day, the highlights began to appear. One difference today was we spread the message in a different language, visiting two Khalsa schools.
Khalsa schools are Sikh religious schools and the Tour de Valley team is lucky enough to include a member who is fluent in Punjabi. He was able to speak to the students and share the message in Punjabi as well as English.
Another thing that stood out for me on this day was not one particular stop along the way but the attitude of one particular rider.
He had a minor crash as we rode through the gym of one of the schools we visited. When we ride through the gym, we do so at a slow speed, which can make staying upright on the bike a challenge. Gravity won out in this case and he hit the hardwood floor, injuring his ankle.
However, no one knew it until later.
After the fall, he quickly got up off the floor and kept going. For the rest of the day, he never said a word about it or complained. Those who didn't see him go down didn't even know about it until after we were done riding for the day and that was only because he had a noticeable limp and an ice bag on his ankle.
Still, no complaints. When I asked him if he would be able to ride Thursday, he said it might give him some problems but it would be OK.
He said that compared to what the kids we're riding for have to go through in their cancer battles, riding the bike with a little pain is nothing.
Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley will roll through South Delta Thursday with stops planned at South Park Elementary, Thrifty Foods, Southpointe Academy, Delta Secondary and the Ladner McDonald's.
Delta Optimist reporter Jessica Kerr is the media rider with the 2011 Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley team. You can also follow the journey on her blog at www.mybigride.wordpress.com.
