Make It Or Break It Tour - A Ride For Alzheimer’s

10/21/2024

For those friends who may not see our final post on the Bike trip across Canada page we just hit $10,000 in donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and are so thrilled!! 🎉🎉🎉

Rick DunlopColby DunlopTammy Johns Dunlop@CameronDunlop

Our final update finds us all well and back to reality. The boys are back to work and haven’t touched their bikes since the ride however Rick continues to ride regularly, weather permitting. I’ve kept busy getting the yard ready for winter.
🚴
We have just added in the last few cash donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and am thrilled to say we made it to $10,000!!!! 🎈🎉🎊🪅Unbelievably over the moon with this result. Once again thank you all for the tremendous support!! We will never forget the best part of the trip were the relationships made and love shared from our existing friends and family. ❤️
Leaving you with a final picture from our home on Kootenay Lake. 🏔️⛵️🌊🌲🌳

10/21/2024

Rick DunlopColby DunlopTammy Johns Dunlop@CameronDunlop

Our final update finds us all well and back to reality. The boys are back to work and haven’t touched their bikes since the ride however Rick continues to ride regularly, weather permitting. I’ve kept busy getting the yard ready for winter.
🚴
We have just added in the last few cash donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and am thrilled to say we made it to $10,000!!!! 🎈🎉🎊🪅Unbelievably over the moon with this result. Once again thank you all for the tremendous support!! We will never forget the best part of the trip were the relationships made and love shared from our existing friends and family. ❤️
Leaving you with a final picture from our home on Kootenay Lake. 🏔️⛵️🌊🌲🌳

09/10/2024

Colby DunlopRick DunlopTammy JohnsJoshua VosperCharlotte Triffo

Home Sweet Home was on the banner when we pulled into our driveway yesterday and it couldn’t be more true! As soon as we seen the Rocky Mountains we were all thinking the same thing, what a beautiful place to call home.
Along the way we made two more stops. First in Plumas Manitoba to visit our wonderful new friends James, Josh and now Marilea who prepared a wonderful Greek lunch for us. The second was in Regina where we had supper and stayed the night with Rick’s Moms cousin Bev and her husband Joe. Again we were treated like royalty and they had invited other family to join so we met 6 other cousins and spouses on the Boehmers side, sharing great company and lots of laughs.
The donation total for the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada at this point is $8950!!! We had been given cash from 7 different folks in the last few days so I put that through this morning. We cannot tell you enough how everyone’s support has just been incredible the entire trip. Thank you to all!! 🙏. We have decided to leave it open a while longer as we continue to get donations. 🏠❤️

09/01/2024

We are on our way home and just wanted to share some pics mainly from Montreal today. We missed visiting it on our way to the East coast so made up for it today. Hope you enjoy. 😉
Also I wanted to thank DonnaLee (a cousin to Rick’s cousin) who met us part way through Newfoundland just to say hi and hand us a beautiful care package of Newfoundland treats!! We had shrimp frozen in a bottle, moose meat in a jar, jam jams (cookies from St John’s), home made bread and of course jam to go with plus more!! We were spoiled rotten! Thanks so much DonnaLee and family!
Our donations for Alzheimer’s Society of Canada have also kept increasing now at $8670!! Thank you all for continuing to spread the word! Again we will keep that link open for a bit still at least until we get home. We are shooting for somewhere around September 10th ish. ❤️

08/26/2024

We were able to find a spot to dunk the tires in the Atlantic today so we wanted to share that as well as a few last pics from our sight seeing in St John’s. We met a beautiful couple on the ferry over and Paula invited us to reach out to her when we got here. What an amazing lady extending her time and energy today to take us around St John’s sights and telling us wonderful stories of its history. Her husband’s family is going through a very difficult time with Alzheimer’s and we immediately formed a bond through common struggles. Thank you Paula from the bottom of our hearts!
And also thanks to the taxi driver who brought us back to the RV after supper free of charge from City Wide Cabs!! He wanted to see our bikes and loved our story!! ❤️❤️❤️

08/25/2024

Cameron Sydney DunlopRick DunlopTammy Johns DunlopColby Dunlop

Day 93. When we thought of the name for our tour we weren’t sure if our body’s, minds, willpower, relationships or the RV would hold out for the entire trip. We have been so deeply blessed and feel grateful to have this opportunity and the support and encouragement has been completely overwhelming by everyone we knew before and met along the way! The depth of hospitality was surprisingly amazing as well. It didn’t break us and it has truly enriched our lives going through such an incredible journey. Rick’s Mom (who would have been 90 today), my Dad (who passed last fall) and our family dog Jack for 14 years (who passed this spring) were all there with us every step of the way. ❤️
We woke up to a stunning sunrise by Brien’s pond and it was Cameron’s birthday to boot. I made their sandwiches and a white chocolate cheesecake while they got ready for the road just before 8 am. They rode a total of 68 km (Cam less 2km for his birthday present) to Signal hill after passing through downtown St John’s war memorial and Mile 0 Terry Fox memorial. The last 2 km were from Terry Fox to Signal hill and it was between 7% and 14% grades which almost killed Rick. This was Rick’s bucket list item and he was completely overwhelmed at achieving this lofty goal. To anyone out there with a bucket list item, just get out there and make it happen! Never give up! You don’t have to have the most expensive equipment to make things happen. Colby’s bike and shoes prove that point!! And yes they made it through all 10 provinces to all of the non believers!! 😂
We have also raised $8000. as of today for the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada which is just incredible!! Thank you to everyone who contributed in dollars, in support, in encouragement to make this dream a reality. You are all amazing!!!! Again we will keep the donation link open for a couple more weeks for those waiting to see if we could “Make It”!! 😊
Some stats:
6826 kms rode
4 flat tires for 3 bikes
3 chains replaces half way through
300. + lunches made
30 + Sani dumps
10 provinces covered. 🚴🚴🚴🚐❤️

08/24/2024

Cameron Sydney DunlopRick DunlopTammy Johns DunlopColby Dunlop

Day 92. Yesterday we caught the ferry ⛴️from North Sydney at 5.30 pm and landed at Argentia Newfoundland at 10 am this morning. Then the boys rode 73 km through Placentia, Dunville, Whitbourne, past Three corners Pond, Triangle Pond and Ocean Pond to Brien’s Pond. We are getting a kick out of these names!! There is even a town called D***o and Spread Eagle right above us. 😂. So much beautiful scenery all the way! 🏔️On the ferry last night they even had a fellow playing all of our favorites on his acoustic guitar. It was a wonderful way to spend some down time together as a family. 🎵 Unfortunately I had a small mishap at the end of my drive so missed getting the boys coming in for the day. Tomorrow should be the last ride day so will make sure to capture the moment!! 📷
Donations remain at $7425. We will keep the event page open until we get home again to give everyone a chance to donate if they were just waiting for the big finale!! 😀. Thanks everyone! 🚴🚴🚴🚐❤️

08/21/2024

Cameron Sydney DunlopRick DunlopTammy Johns DunlopColby Dunlop

Day 89. Our last riding day in Nova Scotia!! The boys left at 9 am this morning from Whycocomagh, taking a small ferry ⛴️ at Little Narrows and following Hwy 223 along the lakes with a small mountain at the end (Cameron told them at the top that there was a road they could have taken around 😆) for a total of 92 km to North Sydney where we will catch our ferry ⛴️ Friday afternoon to Newfoundland. They were leap frogging 🐸 with garbage and recycling trucks 🛻 , felt the hottest they had ever been on the trip so far climbing the small mountain 🏔️ at the end (Colby said he felt like he had a fever!) and with 11 km left in the 9 th province Colby had his first blowout, destroying his tire! 🛞 You will also see he had a bit of a blowout on one of his shoes 👟 yesterday too but he said it didn’t slow him down. lol. 😂 We had some stunning views today as well to end this leg. Their road was quiet with traffic so a much more pleasant ride than yesterday. We will get Colby’s tire fixed properly tomorrow so he is ready for the last couple days. I will post again on Saturday the 24 th after our next riding day.
Donations remain at $7425. Thank you all!! 🚴🚴🚴🚐❤️

08/20/2024

Cameron Sydney DunlopRick DunlopTammy Johns DunlopColby Dunlop

Day 88. Yesterday we had anticipated heavy rain which we had on and off so stayed put in Antigonish. Today we got up early (5am) to get on the road before too much traffic as we were taking Hwy 104 and then 105 up through Cape Breton Island which are main highways. The boys road 102 km in between rain storms 🌧️ but high humidity, lots of construction and the drivers didn’t want to give up any room. It was probably one of the worst days for biking unfortunately but we made it safe and sound and glad to have a campground with comforts for the night in Whycocomah. Only 93 km left to catch our ferry ⛴️ Friday to Newfoundland. That means only about 2 1/2 days of biking left. We are seeing the end in sight folks and have mixed emotions for sure. 😂😀😞❤️
Donations remain at $7425 for the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
Our good friend James and Josh put out a video on our behalf this week about 15 minutes long with many of the photos we shared with everyone. We would like to send a huge thank you to them - you put so much work into this piece for us. We have been unbelievably fortunate with all of the friends we have made along the way. Thank you everyone!!!
🚴🚴🚴🚐❤️

https://youtu.be/tkFRss3_O9w?si=mFWIMDBPGw4mlPyW

08/18/2024

Day 86. We decided to hang out in Antigonish today and tomorrow and move out on Tuesday towards the North Sydney ferry. We are hoping to avoid the higher winds and rain that are scheduled to come later tomorrow. There is not a lot between here and there so opted for civilization for now. 😀.
We toured St. Francis Xavier University today which is huge!! There must be close to 20 of the brick buildings like the ones in the pics below. One was called Mulroney Hall after Brian Mulroney and it had a replica of his office as Prime Minister. Then we found a quiet place to relax and have some down time. 🥏. I will update everyone again on Tuesday after we move on. Take care!! 🚴🚴🚴🚐❤️

08/17/2024

Cameron Sydney DunlopRick DunlopTammy Johns DunlopColby Dunlop

Day 85. From Wood Islands PEI by ferry ⛴️through Pictou, New Glasgow to Antigonish Nova Scotia we had a 75 minute ferry ride and then an 85 km bike ride today mainly on the highway which is not their favourite route to go. Good thing there were wide shoulders at least. 🛣️
The boys were able to stop at the Memorial for the 26 miners who died in a coal mine explosion in Plymouth NS. (Westray Mine).
The little town of Antigonish is pretty cute and we are camped right down town at Whidden Park Campground who gave us a nice little discount on our stay for the Alzheimer’s cause. Thank you! ❤️
Donations are up to $7425 today for the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. Thanks so much for everyone’s support!! 🚴🚴🚴🚐