Bike Ride

[Glen Beamish]

Well guys, wish me luck, this Sunday June 1 I am doing my 50 km (30 mile) bike ride for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
It's the largest organized bike ride in the world, they also have a couple in-line skaters courses.
They close off a portion of a major highway that goes thru the middle of Toronto.
There will be an estimated 15,000 - 20,000 riders.
They are looking to raise close to 2 million dollars.
I'm being sponsored for over $300 dollars.
I ride close to this distance regular, so it should not be a problem.
Let you know on Monday how I made out.

[LynnS]

Re: Bike Ride

Glen,

Good for you, the foundation and all of those who will benefit from it! Best of luck, I'm sure you'll do wonderful - just keep up the fluids!

Lynn

[Reenie]

Re: Bike Ride

Glen, best of luck to you. Have fun.

Reenie

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Bike Ride

DRINK DRINK DRINK.... be careful and have fun!
Please stay well hydrated!
Lisa

[Glen Beamish]

Re: Bike Ride

Lisa, I plan to drink plenty.
I'm taking a 6 pack of beer on the ride, one for every 10 kilometers and then one at the finish line. :P
You know I'm kidding, knowing your feelings on alcohol, I couldn't help myself.
I drink gallons of water now and will on the ride as well.
Thanks

[Linda]

Re: Bike Ride

Glen, Best Wishes! Linda

[Pat]

Re: Bike Ride

Glen,

Is this latest SARS outbreak in Toronto going to interfere with this event? I hope not as you've been getting ready for awhile now. Good luck and have a great time!

Pat

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Bike Ride

Glen... Ah as always I can rely on you for a smart a**.
Be well! have fun!!
Lisa

[Glen Beamish]

Re: Bike Ride

Pat, you open up a very big issue with people who live in Toronto.
Believe me, the SARS issue in Toronto is far bigger in the rest of the world than it is in Toronto. SARS is contained mainly to one health facility and all SARS cases are traced back to this one facility where the first person who came back from China was admitted.
It spread to that persons family, visitors and some health care people treating them before they knew what they were dealing with and then to some others associated with these people did pick it up. This latest outbreak is traced back to the same hospital to a 96 year old man who was misdiagnosed awhile back. The new cases are traced to him. As a precaustion a few associated hospitals in the area have closed to visitors and all hospitals in Toronto make you go thru a screening process where they spray your hands with antiseptic, they take your temperature and you wear a mask only during this 5 minute process. I was at Toronto General Hospital on Friday to see my HCM Doc and went thru the process.
Life goes on here as normal, no one runs around in public wearing masks. I know the news has shown some chineese people wearing them, but they wear them all the time even before SARS, but the media choose to make this a SARS issue.
Nobody I know has altered their life because of this.
The really sad part is that so many businesses especially those associated with tourism like restuarants and hotels are being hurt bad and many people will lose their lively hood because of this over reaction.
A similar reaction several years ago, several Canadians were robbed, beat up and stabbed in Florida while on vacation. Right away the media warned about going to Florida for vacation. Their tourism was hurt for awhile because a lot of Canadians go to Florida. But these were just isolated incidents and the chance of being mugged was actually very low.
A couple stats they are comparing this to.
You are more likely to die of a dog bite than SARS.
You are more likely to die from a fall from a ladder than SARS.
You are more likely to die in a plane crash coming to Toronto than getting SARS when you get here.
So if you plan to come to Toronto and do the hospital tour you might have a problem.
Other than that it's business as usual, actually there are some incredable offers on here now to attracted tourists.
The have interviewed several American tourists now here and they were hesitant to come, but once here they realize that were they are visiting SARS is not an issue.
And yes I am sure there will always be a few people who will opt out of the ride, but they are still looking for an outstanding turn out and the experience to be with 15,000 other people in a common goal will be their loss.
Pat thanks for asking, I feel better for this long winded vent, but I like many others in Toronto have very strong feelings about how Toronto is preceived around the world.
And thanks to all of you for well wishes.

[Bert]

Re: Bike Ride

I like the subjective probability analysis pertaining to SARS. The media has a funny way of instilling fear in people and blowing things out of proportion. Sounds all too familiar. Although I must admit, I was just in Ontario, Pembroke to be exact which nowhere near Toronto, and it still crossed my mind.

[Midge Rollins]

Re: Bike Ride

Glen, thanks so much for the information on SARS. I am not planning on coming to Toronto but just in case I know someone who is I can pass that along to them. Best of luck on your ride, stay safe.

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Bike Ride

There was an interesting piece in the New Yorker I think...it listed how many people die of TB each yr it was like 100 time more that have died from SARS - they listed every major illness including the FLU and SARS is not even on the radar screen in comparison to most!

I would visit Toronto no problem... China however I will wait on for now
Lisa

[Glen Beamish]

Re: Bike Ride

Well if you ever do get to Toronto, I would like to meet anyone of you.

[Donna]

Re: Bike Ride

Glen, good luck on the ride. I hope you have a nice time and someone to rub your feet and leggs after you are done.

[Robbyn]

Re: Bike Ride

Hi Glen,

Good luck on the ride up the Don Valley. It is up isn't it? Maybe I could do it if it was going down. I could coast all the way. hee he .

I was at Toronto General today, to have an echo. It wasn't too bad except for the masks. I will be having an angiogram on June 14th to see if I am a candidate for the surgery or ablation. So I am glad things are starting to move along. I really hope SARS is under control this time. I feel for all the health professionals having to wear those masks all day.

Take care,
Robbyn