Today I was driving through Surrey after work, as I took a sip of water in my R2S water bottle, I catch a glimpse of the traffic behind me in my rear view mirror.  Back a distance, I saw what appeared to be the R2S Honda civic.  After a light and a lane change, I can now clearly see it is in fact the R2S civic driving passed me.  In this moment I get a rush of those same feelings from the event day / evening.  A few words that come to mind are proud, honoured, and humbled to be part of such and incredible event.  There are truly no words to describe what a person feels when participating in the ride 2 survive as a crew member.  I can only imagine what the riders feel, as their bodies literally feel ever second of the ride itself.

At our group meeting and sharing session, the question "why are you here?" was asked to the group.  I was so overwhelmed with emotions which had been building for the months, weeks, days and hours leading up to the ride, I was barely able to say much of anything before the emotions were trying to burst out.

I had originally signed up for R2S after being at the welcome in for 2017.  When everyone starting rolling in, I knew this event was in on a grand scale, something I not only wanted to be a part of, but needed to be a part of. I registered as soon as I could, still not knowing what any of this meant.  A few seconds into our group meeting, I knew what all this was and why we were all there. 

Instantly, these strangers sitting around me, were somehow now mh family. I was there for them. I was there to continue the fight for my brother who was sitting beside me as a 10 year brain cancer survivor.  I was there to continue the fight for my dear friend and her 2 young boys who on valentines day this year lost their best friend, husband and father. I was there for myself,  who at 33 was one of the lucky ones who was diagnosed early with stage 0 cervical cancer, which for me, meant my treatment was surgery and 6 weeks recovery and I would be healthy again. I was there for my Nana, Grandad, and Uncle....the list, sadly, could go on and on....

One thing I learned watching my brothers amazing fight for his life, is that cancer may be a beast, but it is not as strong as it thinks. I learned that your battle starts and ends with how you choose to fight.  If you stand together to fight cancer, you've already won! It may take your body, but it will never, ever, take your soul!

A song I hold dear to my heart and soul, which has continued to repeat whenever I think of R2S is "Rise up" by Andra Day.  Let's continue our fight every way possible! Until 2019 R2S! 

A very special thank you to the Kunzli Family for starting the Ride 2 Survive, and to every single person who has contributed in some way shape or form, THANK YOU. I has been an honour and privilege to be a part of the R2S Family.  I truly am humbled and blessed by all of you. Thank you!❤ 

Much love and light my R2S Family!❤Jaimie

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As a newbie to the crew for R2S, I have no idea what to expect out of this day/night.  All I know at this point, is that it is this spectacular event where all these people get together to ride 400kms in a single day, with a large support crew.  I also know by now from the emails and fb posts that this event is very involved by all the people.  Again, still really not knowing the power of this event.

I was unfortunately unable to make the meeting as I had previous commitments with my kids, so still not knowing or feeling the magnitude of R2S.  

All I knew at this point is that I was excited to be a part of the R2S event.

Throughout the night before meeting at caps, and the bis ride up, I was getting a little nervous about the ride.  Even though I was crew, I didn't want to mess up and so on.  I knew only about 3 or 4 people throughout all the people involved, and this was something so far out of my comfort zone for me, that nerves were getting me.  So I took a deep breath and knew all would be ok and carried on and dozed off on the bus ride up, knowing we were all in for a long ride home.... 

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Hello,

Nice to see all of you that was at the windup party. Everyone looked great! So nice to see people without a helmut. LOL

Someone accidently took my large white shallow dish home thinking it was theirs. I have yours so if you could check and let me know so we can do the swap. 

Thanks,

Liz

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I am going to type multiple blogs instead of a gigantor one...

The reason I signed up for R2S 2018 was quite simple.  I was at the welcome in for the R2S 2017 to support my brother who for the first time ever,  was a crew member.  I had arrived at the welcome-in about 30nmins early.  People were gathering, and the DPD pipe band had been warming up / practicing and so on.  Soon after, 1 support vehicle rolls in, and another and another, police vehicles and then the riders.....

Well, through the cheering, clapping and tears of joy, excitement, proudeness (is that a word? It is today ??) I felt for these people I have never met, I knew from that moment on I needed to be a part of this.  So, I kept my eyes peeled for information on good ol' Facebook on when I could register to be part of the crew. From the moment I could register, I did.  I had no idea what I was signing up for, but knew I needed too. Mh brother of course had shared several stories and moments from his experience, but without being there, I really had no clue.

....continued....

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