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CYCLEBETES: Delivering on a Promise.
CURE JUVENILE DIABETES. |
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Cyclebetes Blog
September 14th, 2010
My 2010 Cyclebetes national relay and community ride adventure has been done for a few weeks already. Lots of planning, anticipation and training resulting in 670 kms (or 402 miles) ridden in 23 hours over 4 days. The effort left me quite wrecked and destroyed actually but we’re $13,000 closer to a Type 1 cure because of my efforts so it’s was well worth it.
 What does it take to be part of the Cyclebetes national relay? First and foremost you need a sense of adventure and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. Up at 5:30 am most mornings, often on the bike an hour later at 6:30. You’re eating, trying to recover, trying to rest, driving, working on bikes, setting up camp and doing multiple other chores mostly the rest of the day. You eventually crash at around 11 pm or later, hopefully in a relatively comfortable bed in the RV (sometimes on the floor) or in a tent. You try to get some sleep because you have to do the same thing the next day. And that’s if you’re part of a team that does not have any longer days where the riding extends into the night.
At the end of your journey, you’re exhausted, but transformed and inspired. You’re so happy to sleep in your own bed and to see your family, but sad to leave your extended Cyclebetes family. Your butt is very pleased to not be perched on a bike saddle and your legs are happy to not have to turn pedals for a while. But you feel this powerful feeling deep inside that you made difference. You were part of a team with a very important goal: to deliver on a promise to cure Type 1 Diabetes. As soon as Adele jumped in my arms when I got home all the pain and fatigue went away and it was all so worth it.  My Cyclebetes relay pull this year was 4 days through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Less than half of my mileage was on the tandem (Diabetsy) and the rest was on my own bike in pursuit of my own personal objective of 600 kms in 4 days. I am not a professional athlete, in fact I have a full-time day job, a house and second-hand Type 1 Diabetes. I’m just a regular guy who loves to ride a bicycle and who believes that we always have a choice.
We can be the complainer or we can choose to do something. It doesn’t have to be huge, but it’s still something. Quite often these little “somethings” can make all the difference. You just never know… Like during the relay stop at the Pharmasave in Truro, Nova Scotia when a young boy and his mom came up to see us. The young boy was very impressed to see the bikes, especially the tandem. His mom told us that he just loved riding. She also told us that he had just recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I knew exactly how she felt. You could see the pain and suffering in her eyes.
Or when we stopped on the side of the road somewhere between Woodstock and Edmundston, New Brunswick, literally in the middle of nowhere quite early on a Tuesday morning, 3 young kids and their grand-mother came running down a driveway with a $20 bill in their hand. They had heard about the relay on TV and just happened to glance out their window when they saw our caravan. Often the little things are what touch us the most…
There are times in life when it’s just gonna hurt… no matter what. So, you better make sure it’s worth it.
Mike LeBlanc has been part of both of the Cyclebetes annual rides, rode with Team H2v, and (with the support of Mike’s Bike Shop) has helped organize the Cyclebetes 200 for three years back to back. You can visit his blog here
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Tags: can do, cure, Cyclebetes, cycling, deliver on a promise, Diabetes, health, Mike LeBlanc, relay, type 1
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September 13th, 2010
The NEW Fall Spin-a-Thon season is about to kick off (now that we have a 5-STEP Leadership Guide that allows students to plan and execute a Spin in 3 – 4 weeks). I am so excited! It’s more than the launch of a new program! What I look forward to is what the student leaders across Canada will do with it. You see the 5-STEP Leadership Guide is just that – a guide. Students add to it their creativity, insight into their school and community and a can do spirit. Each Spin-a-Thon is different — each one unique and each one has elements that I would never have thought of! I love the surprises! I love the Oh WOW moments when I see or hear of what a student group has created. Last year I kept track of every time said – Oh WOW! 102 times! I narrowed it down to a Top 10 list that we ran in this blog in June. It bears a repeat as new student leaders and seasoned alumni gear up!
I await the surprises and the opportunity to see what they CAN DO!
Spring 2010 – Top 10 Can Do’s
1. Halley Skiffington – Sir John A MacDonald HS – Halifax –
Halley stepped up to make a difference in her step brother Bradley’s life by leading the Cyclebetes student leadership team and driving the Spin-a-thon at Sir John A MacDonald. She demonstrated selflessness, leadership and heart!
2. DR. Charles Best Secondary leadership team – Coquiltam, BC -
Students sought out and contacted Dr. Charles Best’s granddaughter in Ontario and asked her to kick off the Spin-a-Thon at a school wide assemble by skype! She delivered a deeply meaningful message to the student body. Students demonstrated ingenuity and creativity.
3. Jonathan Engleman- Vancouver, BC –
Jonathan wanted to lead a Spin-a-Thon at his school Notre Dame Regional in 2009. It was not possible then but school administrators promised Spring of 2010. Now as an alumni of Notre Dame and a first year university student Jonathan conducted all promotion, recruitment and communication via facebook. It appeared to be going well as the 18 registered teams began arriving on Spin day. BUT Jonathan realized the pledge forms and the concept of raising money for JDRF had been overlooked! He quickly devised a plan to hand out pledge forms on the spot and added a ‘telethon’ aspect to the event announcing new totals every hour of the 24 hour event. The Notre Dame Spin-a-Thon raised $9800.00. Jonathan demonstrated resilience, determination and creativity in the face of adversity.
4. North Delta leadership team – North Delta, BC –
At the 12 hour Spin-a-Thon students added messages to the INBOX – a wall sized INBOX poster invited students to write on coloured post it notes and tell why they were participating. The INBOX told a meaningful and inspiring story and reinforced the purpose of Spin-a-Thon. North Delta Leaders showed creativity and purpose.
5. JN Burnett leadership team – Richmond, BC –
Students leaders created not just a Cyclebetes Spin-a-Thon and a funds and awareness drive for JDRF but presented a 12 hour long talent show featuring hosts, singers, dancers, songwriters, and musicians all students at JN Burnett. The level of talent was jaw dropping! JN Burnett leaders demonstrated extraordinary school pride and spirit!
6. North Shore Super Spin – North and West Vancouver, BC –
Student leadership team brought together student leaders from 9 schools – uniting North and West Vancouver – public and private schools – making the Cyclebetes Spin-a-Thon a district wide event. NS Super Spin leaders did something that had never been done and united two entire school districts in one common purpose.
7. Elgin Park leadership team – Surrey, BC. –
Cut backs made it impossible to ‘find’ start up cash to fund leadership t-shirts and the Spin-a-Thon Fueling Station. (The previous year the students council, teachers fund and Parent council all contributed to offset costs). The students ran a Mini -Community Spin in front of the local Tim Horton’s (with management permission) 6 weeks in advance of Spin-a-Thon. One student rode a stationary bike while several others handed out flyers. That day they raised over 500.00 and recruited a very special team – Team Intrepid. Team Intrepid was comprised of newly diagnosed type one families. Scott and his wife Lila just happened to be walking by Tim Horton’s their 4 year son old Zack had been diagnosed with type one a few months earlier. They were filled with hope by what the Elgin students were doing, they went home and called other newly diagnosed families and entered a team – Team Intrepid. It was an Oh WOW / Can do kinda’ day! Elgin leaders demonstrated resourcefulness in the face of adversity and instilled enormous HOPE in 6 newly diagnosed type one families.
8. Arthur Voaden leadership team – St. Thomas, Ontario –
These student leaders are trailblazers they were the first school in Ontario to host a Cyclebetes Spin-a-Thon. They planned and executed a fantastically successful event. As a result of their work and the attention generated by the event Ontario is buzzing with Cyclebetes fever. Arthur Voaden leaders demonstrated courage and belief and their efforts have extended well beyond their school’s event! The success of their event is beyond measure!
9. NS Super Spin – Wall of HOPE –
During the 24 hour Spin-a-Thon participants were encouraged to leave a message on the Wall of HOPE. It was thought provoking, inspiring and gave HOPE to all. NS Spin filled the hearts of all participants with HOPE – hope for the future – hope for a cure for type one – hope for a generation of make a difference teens.
10. Elgin Park leadership team –
Elgin was fortunate to have Breakfast TV cover their Spin-a-Thon in 2009. That coverage brought great attention to an important cause and showcased a school and student population with TONS of spirit. Would they come back in 2010? TV programs don’t normally cover an event twice. So holding their breath Elgin asked (what did they have to lose?). Breakfast TV said – We had so much FUN at your event last year – Can DO!!! Elgin leadership team demonstrated an unwavering Can do! spirit from start to finish!
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Tags: advocacy, can do, Cyclebetes, Diabetes, JDRF, make a difference, promise, Spin-a-thon, students
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September 8th, 2010
We recently caught up with Cyclebetes Director of Schools Cheryl Wilson- Stewart and talked youth, leadership, critical thinking and her passion for the Cyclebetes Spin-a-Thon Student Leadership program.
Grant: You are very passionate about the Cyclebetes school programs where does it come from?
Cheryl: HA! Big Question! I have always loved the influence of youth in my life. Three years ago when I began developing the Spin-a-thon program my daughter was preparing to leave for university so it was perfect timing! I had spent several years designing arts based critical thinking curriculum for Canadian schools and schools in Singapore. I love creating FUN opportunities that develop thinking skills. I love to see young people get excited about ideas, what they can create and know that the possibilities are endless. That really excites me…it’s my nirvana! So…while I miss discussing Kelly’s (my daughter’s) ideas on a daily basis I do have hundred s of high school students across the country!
Grant: You’ve said before that this generation is ‘different’? How so?
Cheryl: There has definitely been a shift from the previous generation that has long been tagged as one of ‘specialness’ and ‘entitlement’! These kids are (what I call an OH WOW) – they blow you away!
Grant: How are they as leaders?
Cheryl: I know it’s a generalization but they all seem to be natural leaders. As a whole they are intent on making a difference — they actually look for responsibility that they can assume and call their own! They are inspiring and they fill me with HOPE!! They have their work cut out for them but you get the sense that they will be the ones that get it right and fix some of the wrongs of those who came before.
Grant: The Cyclebetes Spin-a-thon Student Leadership Guide pretty much lays it out – do students simply follow?
Cheryl: The 5 and 10 STEP Guides are just that – guides. All Spin-a-Thons are different! I encourage student leaders to create an event that fits their school and their community. It’s amazing how different the Spin-a-Thons are! The student leaders continually come up with things that I would never have thought of!!! It’s an endless stream!!
Grant: So what’s next?
Cheryl: The Cyclebetes Spin-a-Thon 5-STEP Guide is brand new! I had feedback from some teachers and students who wanted a small event than the 12 or 24 hour Spin-a-thon and a shorter planning time line than the 6-12 weeks of the 10 STEP program. The 5 STEP is actually taken from the student leaders at Dr. Charles Best Secondary in Coquitlam, BC – they designed a week long – during school time spin that we loved!!! So we’re sharing it with everyone! It’s perfect for the Fall because it takes 3 – 4 weeks to plan and execute!
Grant: Any last words?
Cheryl: Only that I can’t wait to meet the new student leaders this fall and see what they create! I love the surprises…the energy…the commitment they bring to the Spin-a-Thon! Almost all of them have a friend or know someone who has type 1 diabetes they know how important it is to deliver on this promise to help find a cure! In the world of perfect jobs – mine ranks right up there!
Author: Grant Daisley Marketing manager of Cyclebetes and Capilano University student that’s an arms reach away from his degree. Catch up with me on twitter or on facebook.
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Tags: can do, Cheryl Wilson-Stewart, Cyclebetes, cycling, Diabetes, Fundraising, leadership, make a difference, Spin-a-thon, Type 1 diabetes
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August 18th, 2010
The second annual Cyclebetes Cross-Canada National Relay kicked off this past Saturday from Blackrock Beach in Halifax, NS. We were treated to a very sensation send-off, with a representative from the Mayor’s office, the local MLA, Pharmasave Atlantic, a live band, and a BBQ breakfast. Before departing, the Maritimes team took a quick dip in the Atlantic Ocean, and we were on our way!
Our Norco tandem bicycle (the new and improved “Diabetsey II”) took us through Halifax on our first day and into Moncton, NB for our first camp. The Maritimes team spent the second day touring the tandem through Moncton and up to Sussex with the Mike’s Bike shop – Cyclebetes 200km Community ride. Riders from the area came out to support the cause, raising a total of 1$3,000 big ones for JDRF.
For our Day 3, we hit the road again, on our way to Woodstock, and while there weren’t any bands playing… the team members were rockin it! This team’s not messing around, there’s a disease to be cured, and they’re going to help make it happen. Along our way we have been treated to some true east coast generosity as we’re made stops along the route at community Pharmasave stores. The stores made donations to our cause, provided water, and made sure that we were fully stocked with supplies for the riders.
Today: Quebec City here we come
If you would like to make a general donation to the Cyclebetes teams, you can do this here
Also, you can follow our live GPS track on our website and get our regular updates on Facebook and Twitter.
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Tags: can do, cross canada, cure, cycle, Cyclebetes, Diabetes, JDRF, nation relay, Norco, Pharmasave, promise
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