Crossing The Maitland River

I talked a lot about the Maitland river that I literally walk through by Auburn. The alternative is a 10 km detour around the river on lose gravel roads, which is not fun on a road bike. So I made this movie that takes me through the river. If you are planning a trip, check out my video.

Cycling Trip - Day 4

Boy oh Boy it was chilly this morning. The temperature dipped down to 7 degrees. BBRRrrr!!! I didn't leave quite so early at 4:45am. I also decided to take my time. The first 30 km was very cold. It was nice sitting in Tim Hortons for 1/2 hour. I got attacked by a bush while I was crossing the river. It was scary... it growled and then jumped out and bit me on the nose. I do promise it's bark was worse then it's bite. I was planning on taking more pictures and videos, however I ended with less. More volunteer crews were out laying down my fine gravel for the trail, making it better and better.

Cycling Trip - Day 3

Tuesday morning up and early again. Left the house this morning at 3:00 am. It turned out to be a day with some rain. Saw the G2G volunteers hard working on making the trail better. I arrived up at camp at 12:30 and Dad and Zachary had the heater on in the trailer, which was really nice. Thanks Dad & Zachary!

Cycling Trip - Day 2

Monday morning up and leaving the camp site at 3:00 am… Yep you read that correctly 3:00 am. I crossed the river and it was very dark. It rained a couple of times and I got to see the rainbow in the rain.

Just outside Wallenstein, I met up with another cyclist who wipped out right in front of me. It was awful to witness, but I’m glad I was there to help Ken out. Nothing broken other than his bike, and I rode with him till he was basically home.

Stopping at the 100km to eat & refuel is important. I skipped it yesterday, and by the time I got home, I had terrible leg pain, and my blood sugars were low.

Tomorrow we are back on the trails.

Cycling Trip - Family Camping

I cycled up to Point farms on Friday, but stayed over the weekend with the family. Kristyn and the three boys joined us, dad was there, and my little sister Joyce came with her family. It was a great weekend.

Cycling Trip - Day 1

Good morning everyone. It’s cure 4:53 am, and I’m headed Goderich along the G2G. It’s day 1 of my cycling trip and planning on doing 780+ km in the next week. I’m so pumped.

Appreciation BBQ - Saturday September 06th.

You're Invited!

To my supporters who sponsored me $100.00 or more, we would like to show our appreciation for supporting my Great Cycle Challenge this year, by inviting you to a BBQ on Saturday September 06, starting at 11:30 am. We will be serving BBQ ribs and chicken, vegetarian options, and drinks. We are asking if you could please bring a salad or a dessert?

Please RSVP by Saturday August 30th.

If you have any questions, please send me an email (mhiemstra@me.com).

I don't have everyone's contact information, please email me if you would like to RSVP.

We are looking forward to celebrating with you on Saturday September 06th!

100, 50 , 20 KM Donut Run

Yesterday was an awesome day as 4 of us started off on a 100km donut run. We Started off at RIM Park, and traveled along the G2G to Anna Mae's in Millbank. We picked another three riders in Elmira, and one more rider in Millbank. We all stopped for breakfast/snacks at Anna Mae's (best apple fritters on the planet). I also handed out custom made medals For all our riders. It was a really good afternoon.

Kick Cancer Butt - Charcuterie Board Winner

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you again to all my sponsors. Across Canada there was a total of 1,890,417 raised. WOW! It was a record breaking day for Great Cycle Challenge Canada.

It was also a record breaking day for me too. As I type this. We have raised $8,926.00. TOGETHER WE KICK CANCER'S BUTT!!! I am so grateful for the support.

We have a WINNER for our handcrafted walnut charcuterie board... Joyce H is the winner. Congratulations Joyce.

Thank you again, for your support.

Kick Cancer's Butt Day - THANK YOU!!!

Wow! Wow!! WOW!!!

I am deeply touched by everyone's generosity for yesterday's Kick Cancer's Butt day. Yesterday, with your support, we raised $3,256.19. Wow. Plus match donation from the Garron family was another $2,387.00, for a total of $5,643.19.

This makes a difference in the lives of kids and their families, fighting this terrible disease.

Thank you again. Keep following updates here with pictures and videos, as I continue cycling through the month.

Kick Cancer's Butt Day - Give Away

Everyone who donates to my page this Wednesday, August 13 will be entered into a draw for a handcrafted walnut charcuterie board from On The Mark Laser Engraving. Once we have a winner, we’ll engrave your name of choice on the board and finish it with a food-safe cutting board oil. (Prize value: $100)

Thank you for your incredible support — together, we can make a huge impact!

Mark

Kick Cancer's Butt Day - Wednesday August 13

Wednesday (Aug 13) is KICK CANCER’S BUTT DAY! 📣

Your DONATIONS WILL MATCHED up to $1,300,000 on this incredible day! 🥳

That's right, all online donations you make on Wednesday WILL BE MATCHED and added to my fundraising page. ✅

So, you can DOUBLE your impact for our brave kids, and bring us closer to ending childhood cancer. 💙

Let's get ready to KICK CANCER'S BUTT!

Christine Hiemstra - My Champion

The summer of 2023, I made a cycling trip from Waterloo to Point Pelee. It was an amazing trip. The first night I camped at Port Burwell Provincial Park, the second night at Rondeau Provincial Park, and the third night at Wheatley Provincial Park. I had planned to stay at Wheatley for three nights to rest and explore Pelee Island, which was magical.

Along my journey mom and dad where there supporting all the way. Every day they set up and tore down camp, cooked meals, and verbally encouraged, saying things like “Wow, you’re amazing.” “I can’t believe you cycled all that in one day.” “I can’t believe you almost beat us to the next campsite.”

Mom love to talk to everyone she met, telling them about her amazing son who was doing all this cycling to raise money to fight kids cancer. And would they like to donate to such a worthy cause? Many people would hand her a twenty. She was my champion.

Unfortunately my mom lost her battle with melanoma last year on June 17, 2024.

We love you and miss you.

Group Ride G2G Guelph to Goderich

What an amazing day. The beginning of the trip did not start off as planned, with a couple of setbacks. But we came up with plan B, and was back on track.

It was great connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. And sharing the adventures that played out before us. The day was filled with almost being eaten by a lion, breakfast at Tim Hortons, lunch at Cowbell Brewing Co, river crossing, fixing flat tires, and a swim in the lake at Goderich beach.

Thank you Maad Alhammadi, @Christopher and @Sean.

However the adventure did not end there for me. I biked back to Blyth, an additional 30 km, to an Airbnb where I met my spouse and went out to dinner at Cowbell Brewing Co. I ended the day 161 km, a belly full of good food, and a soft bed to sleep in.

Tomorrow I finish off my trip with another 100 km, back home. — eating lunch at Cowbell Brewing Co.

Evelyn Hope

On May the 03, 2019 at 9:13 pm, It was with breaking hearts we released our baby girl, Evelyn Hope, straight into the arms of Jesus. Four days before her due date, we had lost not only our baby girl, but all the hopes and dreams that we longed for, and so desperately wanted. Upon discovering this heart shattering news, we focused on a positive birth experience, and welcoming Evelyn into our family. The hospital staff and midwife team were so amazing. We had that evening, and all the next day with Evelyn, surrounded by family & friends. We all took turns holding her, singing to her, and praying for her.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of, and miss her. Every time I see a little girl about her age, my heart aches. Wondering what she would be like today, and all the things I have missed. Her first steps, first words, her giggle and laugh, first day at school...

Evelyn is one of the reasons I have become so passionate about the Great Cycling Challenge. I know the pain of losing a child.

Evelyn I miss &I love you, and will be thinking of you as I'm riding.

Blogs Coming

Hi everyone. I will start Sharing blogs on on Aug 01. The beginning of the Challenge, which is only a few days away.