June 10thMy visit to Peterborough Ontario was such an amazing experience. I met up with the the Cops for Cancer, Pedal for Hope crew, they were my hosts for the first few days of the visit. The police officers raised $140,000 for cancer research on their 3 week tour, where they visited 50 schools by bike. I donated my Trials of Life presentation to the top four schools in the area that raised the most money. The great team of cops and their tour volunteers helped me at every school, I even got a cop escort all over town!  Shimano Canada is also located in Peterborough, so their manager, Greg Hammond, also came out to all the schools to help. He organised a press conference at the Shimano headquarters on Friday for the official cheque presentation from the Pedal for Hope team to the Cancer Foundation. I then performed a private show for everyone in attendance and had a great time. Saturday was a visit to the local bike shop, Fontaine Source for Sports. That afternoon, I went out to Cottage Country where one of the ‘token’ Pedal for Hope riders has a house. He’s not actually a cop, but an ex NHL’er, John Druce. So the whole crew of us went tubing behind the boat and had a BBQ. I think I’m more beat up from the tubing than I am from all the shows!! Huge thanks to John Townsend and the rest of the Pedal for Hope team, congrats guys and thanks again! Just finished up another shop demo in Whitby Ontario today, and am just relaxing before another BBQ, I’m sure getting spoiled on this tour!!

May 29thHome sweet home, a place that is pretty foreign to me right now. Rip.TV did an excellent job of peeking in to my home with their show called Home Invasion, check it out!!Caryn has been with me for the last couple weeks, so home is on the road right now, and now we’re in Halifax, and are heading for New Brunswick. My buddy Alex Lavigne just flew home this morning, we’ve partnered up to produce a follow up DVD to Manifesto, so we’ve been filming like crazy the last couple weeks. Filming will continue in Europe in July when we meet up with Thomas Ohler, and incredible rider from Austria who will have a segment in the film.I post video blogs every once in a while on Norco’s Website, have a look sometime!Just wanted to recommend a book I just finished reading, it’s called “Let my People go Surfing”, by Yvon Chouinard. Chouinard is the founder of the company Patagonia, and his philosophies about business and life are so important in todays world. Well, gotta hit the road!!!Ryan

Day 8 of my tour has just come to an end, and it ends in Regina. So far I have presented to 8 schools, and performed at 2 bike shops. I know my journal message is being reposted in various places, so for those that don’t know what my school presentation is all about, check out the new web site, www.trialsoflife.com.After the last post, some people thought I was camping during the whole tour, not quite the case, but when I have a spare chance to visit a nice provincial park, I’ll take it! Check out the picture below for the reason why, ahhhhhhh.  I have used a few different GPS navigation systems, and they just keep getting better. I have a new Garmin that has been nearly 100% so far, just love it. Punch in the school address, and it leads you right there. I was able to sit back and cruise along some nice highways from Alberta to Saskatchewan, here’s a pic that wraps the prairies up nicely. My motto for this tour is “never turn down a home cooked meal”. I’m fortunate to have had one already, and overall just blown away by all the kind, and generous people I have met and dealt with so far. Whether it be a bike shop owner, school student, teacher, bike enthusiast, gas station attendant, principal, or journalist, I have to say, there are some pretty cool people around. So thanks to all those who have been so gracious with me!!Regina is the head office home of my tours title sponsor, The Co-operators. There is lots going on while I’m here, so I’m going to get some rest. Most will read this tomorrow, so Happy Thursday everyone!!Ryan