$879.90

Hello, and thank you for your support! No matter how you arrived here, I am very grateful!

There’s a lot of information here, so have fun! And come back whenever you like: I’ll be updating this page regularly from now until I return from Montreal in August.

A note about currency: regardless of where you’re based, the amounts shown on this page, including your donation, are likely to be in Canadian Dollars. If you’re in the US, CAD $1 = about USD $0.72, though please check!

So what’s this all about?

I’m gearing up for a big challenge: a 6-day, 600 km (373 mile) cycle from Toronto to Montreal. I’m raising money in support of PWA - the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. PWA does incredible work, and provides crucial assistance to people living with HIV and AIDS, offering hope and essential services, and making a real, positive difference to their lives.

My training isn’t easy (more on that below!), but knowing the impact it will have makes every turn of the pedals, every pounding heartbeat, and every drop of sweat worth it.

Most importantly, your contribution will help PWA continue their wonderful work, and help those in need. Every contribution, however big, will make a difference. Together, we can support an amazing cause and improve the lives of so many people.

Why donate?

Because we’re in this together, and because your generosity will help transform lives. By supporting my ride, you’re not just donating to a good cause: you’re becoming part of a community that stands against HIV and AIDS, and the harm it continues to cause today. Your generosity will help people who need it more than ever.

Our work together is about community, empathy, and making a difference where it really counts. I chose to support PWA because I believe in their mission to provide vital assistance and improve quality of life for those affected by HIV and AIDS. I also believe it’s important for us to come together and support our community members in need. I hope you do too.

Thank you for your kindness.

What will your donation achieve?

A lot! Here are some examples:

• ​CAD $40 can provide 10 community members with transportation to their medical appointments
• CAD $60 can fund a peer-led support group for people living with HIV
• CAD $100 can help a community member access vital medication
• CAD $200 can ensure an affected family has nutritious groceries for a week

Every dollar we raise through the Bike Rally will help sustain PWA’s huge range of programs, including their Medical Disability Fund, Children's and Seniors’ Funds, Health & Wellness Fund, the Essentials Market Food Bank, physical therapy, and HIV outreach and education.

From medical care to housing, and from food to a whole lot more, PWA provides an incredible array of services to those in desperate need. For more information, check out bikerally.org/cause and pwatoronto.org.

Even better, your support will not only fuel the important services PWA provides, but it will boost my training journey as well. You’ll be riding along with me, helping PWA together.

How’s my training going?

600 km is a long way! And 373 miles is just as long ;-)

My ride to Montreal begins on August 4, but my training began back on January 26, as I work hard in preparation for this tough physical and mental challenge.

Here’s what I’ve done so far (accurate to May 1, 2024: come back for updates every week!):

Official Bike Rally training rides

As an extra challenge, I’m setting myself the goal of cycling to and from the start/finish of every official training ride this year. Madness.

• April 13 - Kipling to Courtney Park - 74 km (46 miles)
• April 21 - Kipling to Courtney Park - 61 km (38 miles)

And hills totalling the equivalent of 415 beach volleyball nets.

Other long outdoor rides

• April 7 - 2024 Outdoor Debut: Tommy Thompson Park and Waterfront - 69 km (43 miles)
• April 8 - Solar Eclipse: Toronto to Confederation Park, Hamilton - 144 km (90 miles)
• April 27 - Waterfront West with Bike Rally buddies - 46 km (29 miles)
  

Indoor rides

Zwift:

• 83 rides
• 74 hours
• 2,222 km (1,381 miles)
• 360,911 pedal strokes
• 38,443 calories, equivalent to 669 KitKat fingers