David Heaslip

Jul
27th

Tue

I’m Off To Jail Next Week

Yes, that’s right. Next Wednesday to be exact.

I have been invited to make two presentations at the Fenbrook Institution. The first will be to the staff, and the second will be to the inmates. Fenbrook opened in 1998 and houses 413 offenders. It is a medium security facility, and some 18% of the residents are serving life sentences. I’m looking forward to both of these presentations! What an awesome opportunity to spread the word about what we are doing in support of childhood cancer. I know that many of these offenders have children of their own, so I see this as a real chance to touch their heartstrings. I’ll let you know how it goes!

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Jul
23rd

Fri

I need your vote!

Those who have really voted for me have done so with their dollars. To date, 189 of you have generously donated $27,498.00! I couldn’t be more proud of your support for the Sears’ National Kids Cancer Ride. And we are not done yet!!

The national organization has a program called “Vote for your favorite SNKCR Rider: see who gets the most votes from now until September 9th!” Of course, I hope you will consider me, in addition to those dollars that you’ve contributed.!

Just go to this link http://www.coasttocoastagainstcancer.org/news/who-is-your-favorite-snkcr-rider-in-2010/ and you can register your vote.

To those of you who haven’t contributed yet, please give children’s cancer some serious thought. 100% of your donation goes to this worthwhile work. What can be better than that! Just click on the “Sponsor Me” link on my webpage.

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Jul
20th

Tue

If you ever cross paths with Greg Roloson, consider it your lucky day.

I first met Greg when he was a mechanic with Nielsen’s Bikes in Bracebridge. He has since moved on to work with Fred van der Bulk of Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop in Huntsville. While an expert on bicycles, Greg works on everything - snowmobiles, tractors, motorcycles, etc.

Greg is a first class guy, a real gentleman, and an unbelieveable mechanic. He has been a volunteer mechanic on the Sears’ National Kids Cancer Ride for the last couple of years, and he’s doing it again this year. In fact, I understand that he’s the mechanic with my travelling team, Team #3. That’s the type of guy he is - he takes 4 weeks off of work to make sure the rider’s bikes are in tip-top shape every step of the way. I’m indebted to Greg as it was he who encouraged me to apply to be one of this year’s riders, and he has continually encouraged me along the way.

Greg built a “backwards” bike. What in the world is that? Well, simply put, when you turn the handlebars to the right, the wheel turns to the left! It really messes with your head.

Greg and Fred asked me if I’d help them out for a bit at the Huntsville Midnight Madness event last Friday. They had a big display set out on the street. I took my SNKCR signs and a bunch of pamphlets. The deal was, for $5.00 donated to the Sears’ ride, you got a chance to ride the backwards bike. One practice run, and then ride it 50 feet down the middle of the street. If you did it, you won a 2010 BMX bike donated by Muskoka Bicycle Pro. A great event! Lots and lots of laughs as people gave it a try. No one won the bike, but there was still a big winner. $350.00 was raised for the Sears’ Kids Ride. Thanks to Fred and Greg for the effort in putting this together!
D.H.

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Jul
18th

Sun

New York Fries - Orillia and North Bay

I’ve been extremely fortunate to have scores of people support me in my efforts on behalf of the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. It’s amazing how people have jumped on the bandwagon with me to help fight childhood cancer. I appreciate every one of them!

One such couple are Willy and Maureen Thornton. They own the New York Fries franchises in Orillia and North Bay. They’re in the plaza with Tim Hortons just yards past Weber’s Hamburgers on Highway 11 north.

Willy and Maureen have put a donation box in both stores. Their customers are supporting them and us by dropping off their change. Every little bit helps.

Next time you’re in their area, drop in and buy some fries. Tell them “David” sent you, and thank them for supporting the ride!

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Jul
13th

Tue

“Labor of Love”

Tickets are still available for the World Premiere!

Feature Length Documentary – 90 Mins.

“Labour of Love” Monday, July 19, 2010 7:30 PM at the Algonquin Theatre 37 Main Street East, Huntsville, ON P1H 1A1 Box Office: (705) 789-4975

Follow Huntsville’s own, Ultra Cyclist, Caroline van den Bulk (http://www.carolinevandenbulk.ca/) of Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop as she races to become the first Canadian woman to cross the finish line in the Race Across America, the world’s hardest endurance ride. Caroline must cycle 3,000 miles across America, and climb over 100,000 feet, in 12 days or less, with minimal sleep. From California, it is an all out challenge to Maryland. Caroline will answer questions after the film.

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Jul
10th

Sat

Register now to Ride Along with the SNKCR National Riders

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Jul
6th

Tue

On to the exercise bike

“That’s one small step for man……” This man, anyway.
(Neil Armstrong’s words on first setting foot on the moon, in 1969.)

I have been on the exercise bike. Painful as hell, but I did it. I started out trying to spin the right leg. I persevered and was able to get 1 RPM. This is a long way from my sweet spot of 80, but “hey”, we all have to start somewhere!

My aim was to get 6 minutes in. It wasn’t too long before the leg loosened up a bit, and before I knew it, I was up to 22 RPM. Yahoo! Heck, I even was able to get 5 kilometers in! I know, this may not be much to most of you, but to me it’s huge.

I’ll be on my own trainer for a few days to try and keep it loose. Next week they hope to start increasing the tension on the exercise bike. In the meantime, I’m starting very slow wall slides tomorrow to try and build what’s left of the knee back up. I’ve got to remember not to baby the right leg. It’s got to work as hard as the left!

Maybe I should be starting a pool to see who can guess when I’m back out on the road. SNKCR could use the money, I’m sure.

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Jun
28th

Mon

Training to ride across Canada for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride is a challenge in itself. Throw in a 9’ fall from a ladder some 80 days before the ride, resulting in torn ligaments and a torn miniscus, and it is even more challenging! But I’m determined to do what I can do!

From my early training last December, I have been going to Dr. Michael Mekis at the Gravenhurst Chiropractic and Acupuncture Clinic. Dr. Mike and his wife Dr. Kelly were behind our efforts right from the start. They knew it was all for the kids. They suggested a weekly program to deal with the various issues that might come up from all the training that I’d be doing. They wanted to ensure that I was flexible and loose for the many miles ahead.

Now that I’m faced with the almost impossible task of trying to get knee ligaments healed and back in shape, Dr. Mike is working overtime on me. He understands my commitment, and the need to do this for the kids. So I’m thankfull for his training, talents and expertise. I know deep down that if there’s any possibility that I can be ready, it’s going to be with Dr. Mekis’ help. He’s my miracle worker!!

My M.D.’s office called today to tell me that an MRI needed by the surgeon is scheduled for September 9th at 8 A.M. Guess what? At that very time, I expect to be dipping my rear wheel into the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver. Guess we’re going to have to head south to get a picture so at least we know what the damage is. Surgery will just have to wait until it’s over.

If any of the other riders need medical help at this stage of their training, I can only hope that you find someone like Dr. Mekis to help you along. Clicking the photo should take you to his webpage.

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Jun
22nd

Tue

Orthopod wanted

Today I didn’t get the best news in the world. It seems that I’m going to have surgery on my right knee to repair the damage. The knee wobbles like an old barn door hinge!

The good news at this point is that I might be able to avoid the surgery until after the ride is over. If the physios can build up enough strength to allow me to pedal properly, they can evidently outfit me with a brace to keep the side to side wobble in the knee to a minimum. Believe me, that’s good news!

We’ll have to see how this all pans out, but I was able to get out this afternoon to look at shipping cases to get my bike out to Vancouver, and then back to Toronto from Halifax.

We’re going to get this done - one way or another!

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Jun
19th

Sat

Muscle atrophy!

Muscle atrophy is defined as a decrease in the mass of the muscle; it can be a partial or complete wasting away of muscle. When a muscle atrophies, this leads to muscle weakness, since the ability to exert force is related to mass. Muscle atrophy is a co-morbidity of several common diseases, although having a ladder collapse on you is not one of them.

There are many diseases and conditions which cause a decrease in muscle mass, known as atrophy, from inactivity, as seen when a cast is put on a limb, or upon extended bedrest. I don’t have a cast, but I can’t do anything either. I just sit and watch it waste away! So I’m counting on those health professionals working with me to get this stopped. The sooner the better. I guess the good news is that the swelling has subsized significantly to the point where I hope they can start some serious work next week!

Stay tuned - in the meantime, keep those donations coming in so I don’t feel completely useless! The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride is all about raising funds for childhood cancer. We are need to do whatever we can to help in this fight!

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