It All Started With A Fire

Sometimes you hear 'It started with a fire' and people are talking about a desire deep inside of them for me it was a actual fire read on:  Facebook Memories can be a good thing or a bad thing; it depends on how you choose to look at them. On December 6, 2016 (4 years ago today). I had a live changing moment. Here is the post I made to Facebook ‘Please pray for everyone in my household we had a fire today. Everyone is OK thankfully’ My then landlady and I were fine but because of the fire we were temporarily homeless, the power and gas were turned off in the house because of the fire and my tiny bachelor apartment was devastated almost all of my personal belongings were laying in a heap in the backyard.

We went to stay with a mutual friend Kathy. I made daily trips on my bike back to the house to check the mail and ultimately check on progress of where the restoration company was with the restoration and repair of the house.

I didn’t realize it then but some major changes were about to take place in my life. Even though I don’t like change. I didn't recognize it at the time but the relationship between that land lady and myself was toxic and abusive and so much of my life revolved around her needs both physical and emotional. I adjusted all my appointments, If I ended up with a medical appointment, quit smoking group appointment, or was away on a ride too long I was made to feel guilty. So much of our time revolved around tv shows and watching them in the afternoon.

Through staying at Kathys she encouraged me to join Breathe Easy, a stop smoking group put on by Good Shepherds Steps to Health Program. And she saw some of the things that were going on between myself and my landlady before I did and encouraged me to move forward. I remember the day I had been cigarette free for about a month and stopped in to see the landlady she was back in the house, soon as I left all I could think about was having a cigarette. I did cave that day and journelled it, and made a realization then and there I could not go back. I talked to Kathy, another friend and my dad about not going back and they were all supportive.

Just after the fire my Dad suggested I look into local cycling groups. This was where I first discovered Cycle Hamilton. I became a member and bought a T-Shirt as a reward for being 1 month smoke free. I participated in my first group ride out to Dundas and back, became more active on Twitter as ‘SharpieGuy’ well because I was always chewing on a Sharpie instead of smoking a cigarette (whatever it took not to smoke). 

In the last four years I had so many firsts (Or firsts as a non-smoker) First time going to Festival of Friends to watch a band, first act of civic activism (lining Queen Street in winter) first time going to a restaurant without standing out in the cold or the rain for a cigarette, first group ride, first hockey game where I sat through the entire game, sitting through root canal without feeling out of breath or that I needed to cough. The health benefits have been pretty great as well, better blood pressure, better sleep, lower cholesterol and finally lower A1C. My first time actively taking part in an election, through the Cycle Hamilton's Municipal Election Ward Rides. My first 50 Km day\ride with James from Whitby when he rode through Hamilton to Coney Island, My first Gregs Ride which was also my second 50 Km in the saddle day. 

It also led to a couple of awesome years with the Everyone Rides Initiative and being on the Hamilton Bike Share Board of Directors. And now being a Board Member of Cycle Hamilton and to think it all started with a fire.

 

Hello My Poor Neglected Blog

I am sorry to have neglected you but we have been in a pandemic and the world seemed to stop for a little while.

 

Just over 5 years ago I went through a mouth cancer scare. I had a biospy from a dental surgeon and he wanted to operate, removing a few teeth and part of my jaw because in his words it was pre-cancerous. This was the point in time I decided to quit smoking. I also got in contact with a family doctor and filled him in on what was happening and between him and my dentist we would monitor it. With connecting with my family doctor he send me for some blood work and it came back that I had high blood sugar. I was now a diabetic though it would be a few more months before any one of my doctors would actually say the word ‘diabetic’. Remember I am still working on quitting smoking. At the time I smoked 75 cigarettes a day and had been smoking for 35 years.

 

I struggled with quitting smoking for 4 years. With the help of CAMH, Public Health, Smokers Helpline and Good Shepherds - Steps to Health Program I have now been smoke free for a little over year. But that was only the one battle I faced. I also had to get my blood sugar under control. My A1C at one time was over 20 and my daily blood readings were about 13. The reason for reflecting today was because a Facebook memory came up that I was happy with a 8.4. So I checked my blood sugar when I saw this and it was 6.4 (much better).

 

I guess it’s time to tie al this to cycling now. A few years before I had the cancer scare I was briefly hospitalized for cellulitis in my leg and weighed in at 350 pounds. I saw 2 doctors for this as a out-patient and 1 was a cardiologist and we worked on a small plan to help me lose weight. This included cycling. I started out small going just around the block a couple of times a day, then further and further. By the time I was diagnosed with diabetes I was going for 20 mile rides a couple of times a week.

 

There were a lot of challenges along the way to where we are today. For years I lived in a house that I took care of my landlady and adjusted all my appointments around her life. If I ended up with a specialist appointment that interfered with her life or I was a way on a ride for too long I was made to feel guilty about it. A fire in my bachelor apartment in said house, where I lost practically everything. A nice friend of ours took us in and I ended up staying with her for almost 2 years when she passed away. The one constant was riding my bike.

 

Last year I enjoyed my summer as a Everyone Rides Connector and then was asked if I would be interested in being on the board of Hamilton Bike Share. This year I applied to be a interim board member of Cycle Hamilton and was accepted. There have been group rides, discussions and miles that have gotten to this point and I am thankful to all the friends, family, doctors and cyclists along the way for the encouragement and kick in the pants that have allowed me to get to this point.

 

Be Safe, Be Seen and Peddle On

Why 2019 Was The Best Year Of My Life Part 2

As I mentioned I was and am a volunteer/connector for Everyone Rides and through that I had opportunity to meet with and interact with a few neighbourhood associations. Having moved myself last winter this gave me a great chance to connect with a few of my neighbours and talk about the neighbourhood and of course cycling. This opportunity also led to me being part of the board of HBSI.

I also really like taking part in Gregs Ride which is hosted by Share The Road Cycling Coalition. And was looking forward to doing the longest ride I had done. ut because of a small injury I just did the the 10km route which led to a couple of great conversations and connecting people with Dundas Rides and Cycle Hamilton.

In October I had my diabetes check up. My A1C was up a little and this alarmed me a little. My nurse practioner and I came up with a plan that involved a new medication. I had all the most common side effects almost immediately. And found the best way to deal with them was to power through and go for a ride.

The year finsihed off with a small victory with a couple of the yellow vests being banned from the City Hall Forecourt. My Strava numbers were down a little bit over 2018 but my activity in the community is way up. I took part in 2 different cycling studies and was asked for a ancedotal story retaining to air quality. Most importantly I finished the year with good news from the diabetic clinic. My A1C and cholesterol were the lowest they have been in 5 years.

The biggest lessons for me were mostly practical and putting in to practise ‘Seek first to understandthen try to be understood.’ So many people through the last year have helped me with this life lesson. Growth and learning as a person doesn’t end as a adult it just keeps going and I am glad it does. Sure I didn’t get to cover the distancees on my bike or the milestones I wanted to but somethings and most people are woth the detours in life.

Why 2019 Was the Best Year Of My Life Part 1

Seems all of the young people on social media do a why last year was the best year of my life. And while I usually go through life kicking and screaming with as much resistance to change as possible last year was a awesome year.

The year started off kind of discouraging medically and coming off of the high and lows of moving again, and getting turned own for the Cycling Committee. But I didn’t let that stop me. I was asked to join a gaming clan something I thought at my age would be next to impossible but there was something else stirring in me. In March that stirring was set into motion when I signed up to be a volunteer/connector with Everyone Rides Initiative. At first I thought this was just going to be helping out with group rides but it turned out to be so much more with outreaches and working with partner organizations.

In April at the Annual Meeting I strengthened my commitment to Cycle Hamilton and asked to be invovled with volunteering which I still want to do more hint hint I am pretty good at stuffing envelopes).

The people I have met through Cycle Hamilton and Everyone Rides Initiative are amazing. I have learned so much about safer cycling, cycling infrastructure and advocacy that I could have never learned on my own.

In June, a call went out for allies for the annual Pride Celebrations, but I had already committed to the Pride Ride from Carter Park to Gage Park The ride was uneventful and was learning expereince for me as I got to learn that a lot of parents didn’t think the bike lanes were safe for their children. I found out a artist that I grew up listening to was performing and mentioned that I would like to see her toa cycling friend Jamieand her reply was “Who?” Seems Carole Pope was a little before her time. Which turned into a joke about my age. When we arrived at Gage Park I wondered around was just settling in to listen to one of the performers when I caught a couple of yellow vests walking across the park. I tried to stay in between them and the celebration. When I got to where the trouble was I saw people harrassing and fighting with people.

On that day I was changed. I had never really given how my religious beliefs and thoughts harmed my relationship building with others. I took a stand on that day to be an ally and a friend. This started my education of listening to people both over coffee and online and just being present.

The next group ride was the Pride Rally Ride from Powell Park to City Hall. I promoted this through my facebook page. One of my friends from religious circles made a hurtful, hateful response that I didn’t notice until I got home because I went for a longer ride before the group ride. I was shaken and didn’t know how to react at first. I reached out to another friend actually my oldest friend and asked for advice, we got together for coffee and discussed it. He also agreed to keep a eye on my facebook and alert me with a text or call if something like that happened again. After responding with ‘no one who should be made to feel ashamed for who they love’ I put them on a time out for 30 days and unfollowed them. I apologized to anyone who may have seen the post and that it was allowed to stay up as long as it did.
I made a decision to stand against hate and take my place standing for Peace, Love, Acceptance, Inclusion and Diversity and this is how I spent my Saturdays. It’s not always easy and there has been a little bit of violence and a few superhero types that think they can swoop in say a few words then go about their lives. It has helped strengthen and build community.

I reconnected with my sister who lives in another province and we went for a ride and talked about cycling, infrastructure family and my niece Piper. I reconnected with Piper over text messages and we haven’t talked near as much as I would like but that is ok. She knows I love and support her and that I am there if she ever needs talk.

Stay tuned for part 2. 

Dundas Cycle Path Opening

Today started out kinda rough for me. The new medication I am on is playing havoc with the way I feel but I pressed on. I woke up at 5:30 had my coffee and got ready to ride out to Dundas for the opening of the Cycle Path along Governors Road. I took one of my favourite routes out to MacMaster which is the Waterfront Trail from Bayfront to Princess Point. This really is a very scenic ride with the sun coming up behind you and the beautiful fall colours. I got the added bonus of watching rowers out practicing.

I was passed by quite a few people riding bikes on my way out to Dundas a few I know, a few I didn’t. One of the people was the former Co-Chair of Cycle Hamilton
Kate and someone that helped push me over the edge to get involved and volunteer my time and expereince to the cycling community in Hamilton. We talked a bit about upcoming projects while we rode out to the event. When I was growing up Governors Road was not someplace that would be considered cycling friendly (I know I rode on it almost 40 years ago.)
Then hills got the better of me and Kate went off ahead and I continued on (Also when did Dundas get all those hills I certainly don’t remember them being there) Remember I ride far I don’t ride fast (thanks @RideJamesRide for the saying we need T-Shirts)

After the group ride and before the opening remarks I had a chance to talk with Kate and get caught up a little. In my way of thanking her for her dedication, encouragement, and inspiration I blamed her for the awesome summer. I know it should have been more of a Thank You but with out her words of encouragement and inspiration over the last year or so of my new found involvment with Cycle Hamilton and the call out for volunteers at the AGM. I really think I might have taken a different path and not be as involved as I am today with Everyone Rides Initiative, Cycle Hamilton, Smart Commute Hamilton @STRCycling or cycling in general in the Hamilton Area. Now there are new mentors, inspirations and fellow riders that are there to push, encourage, teach and care about the cycling community in the greater Hamilton Area. Oh almost forgot. The ride home was along part of new favourite area the Hamilton-Brantford Rail Trail. The fall colours in the mid morning sunlight is spectacular and is well worth the detour.

Leaving a Cyclist 1 Metre When Passing

I read this article one morning https://genderpolicyreport.umn.edu/bicycles-gender-and-risk/ and while it speaks about women not getting 3 feet or 1 metre when being passed by a motor vehicle. I can't speak to this as I am a guy but I have heard numerous stories about it happening to women in Hamilton and elsewhere.

A major barrier to cycling is feeling safe. Motorists have a legal obligation to give 1 full metre when passing any cyclist and is one of the few instances when they may cross the centre median line. Cyclists should be 1 metre away from the curb and may take up the full lane this gives them some maneuverability to avoid obstacles and obstructions in their path. One of the things most cycling courses teach is to ride in a straight line and be predictable.
Always use your hand signals and while it may be tempting to cut into the curb around park cars or bump outs don't do this as you are no longer being predictable and you can lose your visibility to other road users.
Cyclists do not have to give a metre when passing vehicles but must obey the rules of the road and it is advised to pull in a little to the right when being passed. When passing parked cars you want to be able to avoid someone opening their vehicle door so use your own discretion.
There are many online resources that can help cyclists learn including
@canbikecanada your local cycle advocacy group @CycleHamilton and @Everyone_Rides_ offers mentoring.

September 22 2019. I took part in #GregsRide hosted by
@STRCycling and thanks to Jamie and David I now have my third picture of me riding a bike that you can see my face. Though I didn't get to ride the 80 km like I wanted to I did get to ride the 10 km and meet some interesting people.

It was also a great way to catch up and connect with people that you don't always get to see in your travels. Not everyone that rides in #GregsRide is an advocate but we all ride our bikes. Thanks Share The Road for all you do including bringing all of us together for a ride.

Photo By David Keogh