We’re Just Getting Started

By Gary Sande, Penticton

Today we woke at the Sandman Hotel with jitters of what the next  10 days would hold. Most of us new riders nervous, and the returning riders with their tips along the way “don’t forget to take your sunglasses off for pictures”, “take off your cleat covers”, and of course “steady UP!”

We had a short ceremony with some dignitaries and our sponsor Tom Budd before we started down Hwy 97 with our escorts. In Peachland, we met with the Rotary Club for a cheque presentation and photos, before we loaded the bikes and boarded the bus. With the landslide between Peachland and Summerland, we were forced to drive around before dropping in at Okanagan Falls. After a lunch from SaveOn Foods and a visit with Kelly & Paul Bentham we rode into Oliver to the Fire Hall where our friends from the Lions were waiting for us. By then the sun was out, and it was nearly 34 degrees when we arrived into Osoyoos.

I almost died today waving at the people coming up to Osoyoos and almost went off the road, but this experience has already been amazing. The people we see and the donations that come in are so incredible. It’s so much more than I could ever imagine and it’s only day 1. I feel like I’ve got a new family getting to know so many new people who are now my brothers and sisters. This experience is hard to put into words, but I love it already.

Tomorrow we tackle the Anarchist mountain before going to Grand Forks. We hope to meet with some local kids along the way, but always appreciate the honks & waves. We’re just getting started.