Journey Home Ride

Ryder Hesjedal 2010 Tour de France Jersey c/w Race Numbers Intact

2010-09-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

Number 54, Ryder Hesjedal riding to 7th in GC at the 2010 Tour de France

UPDATED: Ryder Hesjedal Jersey Auction is now live on eBay.

Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin Transitions placed seventh overall at the 2010 Tour de France and delivered the best result by a Canadian in the Tour since Steve Bauer of Fenwick, Ont., finished fourth in 1988.

Ryder has generously donated a jersey from the Tour with race numbers still intact to support the Journey Home and our beneficiary F Cancer. Stay tuned for details of the on-line auction we will be hosting for your opportunity to own this piece of Canadian cycling history and support the development of early detection education programs (did you know 90% of cancers are curable if they are caught in Stage 1 -- that's huge).

Ryder's Personalized Race Numbers still pinned.

Christian Meier rides with a Cause

2010-07-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

Most of the cyclists at BC Superweek would love nothing more to wear Christian Meier’s Garmin-Transitions jersey, and why not? It represents an ascent to the Pro Tour, the top level of the sport, the chance to ride at the top events all over Europe, and to race against and with the world’s best at the three Grand Tours, including teammate Ryder Hesjedal’s current headline making run at the Tour de France.

Yet Meier will not be wearing the famous orange-and-blue argyle kit of Garmin-Transitions when the 31st Tour de White Rock kicks off with the HIllclimb on Friday night -- he’ll leave that honor for Pro Tour teammate Svein Tuft. Meier will instead wear a simple but stylish black and white jersey, with the words “F--- Cancer” blaring boldly across his chest. Like the “last chance” tattoo inside his left forearm, the jersey is a tribute to the brother he lost to brain cancer last year.

It’s also a commitment to raise awareness about prevention, particularly among young people.

“There just doesn't seem to be a huge push to cancer awareness and prevention, especially with the younger demographic, which is what F Cancer is trying to do,” said Meier. “Even just the name grabs the attention of younger people – and everyone else for that matter.”

Read the full release by the Tour de White Rock here.

Christian's Limited Edition "F Cancer" kit.

Updated: Limited edition F Cancer jerseys are now available at www.letsfcancer.com

Christian Meier pushes off for the ride of his life

2010-07-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

Christian speaks to the Vancouver Sun about Michael, "Last Chance" and FCancer Read the complete article here.

New Addition: Team Radio Shack Jersey

2010-07-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

Own one of these hard to find Team Radio Shack jersey by making a donation of $185 to the Journey Home.

For details on how to acquire this jersey see the Donation Gifts page or contact Philip Meyer at pmeyer(at)wedgewoodhotel.com to make a tax deductible offer of donation.

Dario Cioni's Team Sky Jersey signed by the 2010 Sky Giro Team

2010-07-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Sean Yates, Director Sportif for Team Sky has donated Dario Cioni's Team Sky jersey signed by the Sky Team for the 2010 Giro. The Team, led by Cioni and Bradley Wiggins included Michael Barry, Steve Cummings, Chris Froome, Mathew Hayman, Greg Henderson, Morris Possoni and Chris Sutton.

This one of a kind memento can be yours for a donation of $750. to the Journey Home. For details on how to acquire this jersey see the Donation Gifts page or contact Philip Meyer at pmeyer(at)wedgewoodhotel.com to make a tax deductible offer of donation.

Sold!: Single Entry to the RBC Gran Fondo Whistler

2010-07-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

Our last remaining entry into the sold out RBC Gran Fondo Whistler has now been sold! The entry into the long sold out event was generously donated by event organizers Gran Fondo Canada.

SOLD!: Two Entries to the RBC Gran Fondo Whistler

2010-06-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

The two registrations to the RBC Gran Fondo Whistler generously donated by Paul Balfour, Vice President of Philips Hager & North Investment Management Ltd. and Vice Chair of the BC Cancer Foundation have now been sold. Thanks very much to Paul and to the donor to the Journey Home who now has two very coveted entries to the Gran Fondo.

SOLD!: Henk Vogel's Australian Jr. National Team Jersey

2010-06-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Another jersey exchanged today for a donation to the Journey Home. Thank you to our donor who contributed more than our suggested donation to obtain Henk Vogels' Jr. National Team Jersey.

Show your support of the Journey Home by making a donation now. For details of the remaining gifts that qualifying donors are eligible for please visit the Donation Gifts page.

The Ride Home is done but still accepting donations...

2010-06-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

A week has passed since the Journey Home ride and donations continue to roll in. We've reduced the suggested donation amounts on most of the remaining memorabilia so if you've had your eye on one of the pieces take another look at what's available. Two pieces have been sold in the last 30 minutes...we've made some Garmin fans happy today... both Svein's Garmin-Slipstream jersey and the lot of Christian's Garmin-Slipstream National Champion kit are now gone!

eBay auction update

2010-06-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

With all involved with the actual Journey Home ride over the past few days we've been negligent in keeping you informed of the status of our eBay auctions. Two auctions closed on Saturday, June 19 and we are pleased to announce that both the Saxo Bank jersey signed by their 2009 Tour de France team, and the replica Molteni jersey signed by the great Eddy Merckx each fetched $1,000 for the Journey Home. Thanks to all who took part in the auction and for the amazing support.

Journey Home 2010: The Slideshow (a work in progress)

2010-06-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

Journey Home 2010 - The Ride is in the Books

2010-06-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Journey Home ride is now history, while we digest and summarize our thoughts on the special day here's the GPS data of our ride courtesy of team member Graham Garrison. Look for our summary and a photo gallery from the Ride shortly.

Cycling stars ride against cancer

2010-06-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

Meier, Tuft want to do their bit, and many riders are helping

By Terry Bell, The Province, June 18, 2010

Top-notch pro cyclists Svein Tuft and Christian Meier have come home from Europe to ride July's Yaletown Grand Prix and B.C. Superweek.

But for the two Garmin-Transitions riders, there's important business to take care of this weekend.
White Rock's Meier will ride in the Vancouver-to-Seattle Ride to Conquer Cancer this Saturday and Sunday. On Monday Langley's Tuft will join Meier and a handful of riders from the Vancouver-based Wedgewood Cycling Team in Seattle for a one-day, 260-kilometre Journey Home ride to raise even more money for the fight against cancer.

Wedgewood started the Journey Home ride last year. This year it's in the memory of Christian's brother Michael, who died of brain cancer last year. Michael Meier was a week shy of his 26th birthday when he died. He was married with two young children.

"It happened rapidly," said Christian Meier, now 25, who was riding in the Vuelta a Espana with his Garmin team when his brother passed away. "He woke up one morning with a terrible headache, went to the hospital and two days later he was in surgery to have a brain tumour removed. He went into surgery in March and in September he had passed away.

"It was quite a shock to the family," continued Meier. "For me it really hit home and I decided I wanted to do something. If I can help in any way to eliminate or reduce that pain, it's the least anyone can do."

Last November, two months after his brother died, Meier got a tattoo on his arm that said 'Last Chance.' The message was that you really never know when you're getting your last chance to do something.

His team for the Ride to Conquer Cancer is called Team Last Chance. He'll be joined by former Symmetrics Racing teammate Dylan Sebal, of Mission, and a friend, Shari Jay from Ontario.
Meier and Wedgewood team leader Philip Meyer sent emails around the cycling community asking for support. Riders donated signed jerseys which are for sale on the Wedgewood website ( www.teamwedgewood.com)by fixed price or by auction.

"My Garmin teammates -- David Miller, David Zabriskie, Christian Vande Velde -- signed jerseys," said Meier. "We have a book signed by Lance Armstrong. A signed jersey from Eddy Merckx.

"It was incredible to see how many people donated things. We have jerseys from the Saxo Bank team and Team Sky."

Meier, the 2008 Canadian road champion, and Tuft are riding in the Canadian championships June 25 and 27 in Edmonton. Meier will ride the Yaletown criterium on July 1 and then do the Tour de Delta July 9-11. Tuft will likely ride Yaletown, Delta and the Tour de White Rock Superweek finale, July 16-18.

Both riders have been frequent pedallers this season. Among others Meier rode the Paris-Nice and Liege-Bastogne-Liege races. He's scheduled to do the 2010 Vuelta a Espana.

Tuft, a silver medallist in the individual time trial at the 2009 world championships and a seventh-place finisher in that event at the 2008 Olympics, rode the Giro d'Italia this spring.

But this weekend is about riding to beat cancer. Anyone wanting to either donate or get more information can see the Ride to Conquer Cancer website ( http://to10.conquercancer.ca).

SOLD: Comeback 2.0 Special Edition signed by Lance Armstrong

2010-06-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

Lance Armstrong donation to the Journey Home; an autographed Collector's Edition of his book Comeback 2.0 has been sold. Thanks to all who participated in the auction.

There still is an opportunity to receive a unique piece of cycling memorabilia for your support. For details of the gifts that qualifying donors are eligible for please visit the Donation Gifts page.

SOLD: Gord Fraser's 2004 HealthNet National Champion's jersey

2010-06-16T18:03:00.000-07:00

As we move closer to the Journey Home ride on June 21 - more of our items are going out the door. Today Gord Fraser's 2004 National Champion HealthNet jersey was awarded to a donor.

If you were thinking about making a donation to the Journey Home do it now while there still is an opportunity to receive a unique piece of cycling memorabilia for your support. For details of the gifts that qualifying donors are eligible for please visit the Donation Gifts page.

eBay Action

2010-06-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

Do I hear $1,025? Auction action is heating up on the Eddy Merckx signed Molteni Jersery on ebay. Still three days left to bid though. Check out the auction and bid now.

SOLD: Christian's Sprinters Jersey from Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco

2010-06-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

Christian Meier's Blue Sprint Jersey from the 2010 Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco (Tour of the Basque Country) has now been sold. A truly unique piece of cycling history, as Christian wrote on Twitter, "Not sure I will win too many more sprint jerseys in my career, haha" for a great cause -- the fight against Cancer.

Check out the auctions on eBay too -- a few auctions closing shortly make sure you get your bids in!

More RBC Gran Fondo entries on Auction

2010-06-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

Paul Balfour, Vice President of Philips Hager & North Investment Management Ltd. and Vice Chair of the BC Cancer Foundation has generously donated to the Journey Home TWO ENTRIES to the 2010 RBC GranFondo Whistler. All 4,000 spots in the event have been sold out for several weeks now, even though the ride doesn’t take to the Sea to Sky highway until September 11. Bid now and support the Journey Home.

Update: Journey Home Auctions on eBay

2010-06-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

The majority of our auction item are now in live auction on eBay.

Special Collector's Edition of Comeback 2.0 signed by Lance Armstrong
Bid for this extra special Collector's edition here.

RBC Gran Fondo Whistler Entry
Bid on a coveted spot in the inaugural Gran Fondo here.

Team Saxo Bank Jersey Signed by their 2009 Tour de France team
The 2009 Tour was an exceptional one for Saxo Bank. Bid on this memorable jersey here.

Team CSC Jersey Signed by their 2008 Tour of California team
Bid for an opportunity to own this jersey from the last year of CSC here.

Replica Molteni Jersey Signed by the Greatest Cyclist of All Time -- Eddy Merckx
Your chance to own a piece of cycling history here.

2010 RBC Whistler Gran Fondo Entry Auction now on eBay

2010-06-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

The auction for an entry into the sold out 2010 RBC Gran Fondo Whistler is now live on eBay and will run for 10 days. Bid on a coveted spot in the inaugural Gran Fondo here.

UPDATED: Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #31

2010-06-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

Donation incentive gift number 31 is a signed jersey courtesy of Tim Johnson who has found success both in cyclocross and road racing. Most notably he was the first rider from the United States to stand on a UCI Cyclocross World Championships podium -- a bronze medal from the 1999 UCI U23 Cyclocross World Championships. On the road Tim's career has spanned from his 2001 start with Saturn through stints with Saunier Duval-Prodir, Jittery Joe's, Health Net and Ouch. Tim currently rides for United Healthcare presented by Maxxis where he is one of the leaders of the team. For cyclcross Tim rides for the Cannondale Cyclocrossworld team and he has provided one of his cross jerseys to the Journey Home.

Show your support of the Journey Home by making a donation now. For details of the gifts that qualifying donors are eligible for please visit the Donation Gifts page.

Journey Home eBay Auction now Live!

2010-06-07T19:45:00.000-07:00

The Journey Home eBay Auction site is now live, and the auction for first item, the Special Collector's Edition of Comeback 2.0 signed by Lance Armstrong has just been launched and will run for 10 days. Check it out here.

Journey Home Update

2010-06-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

Two weeks before the Journey Home ride and a few things to update you on. Journey Home team member Christian Meier was recently featured in PezCyclingNews.com. Check out the interview: http://pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=8314&status=True&catname=Latest%20News

Christian is currently racing in the Dauphiné Libéré and from there will be heading "straight to Canada for Ride to Conquer Cancer, Journey Home, Nationals, Yaletown and Tour of Delta, then home to Girona."

The 2009 Garmin-Slipstream jersey signed by Christian's teammate David Zabriskie was sold today. If you've had an eye on one of the Donation Incentive gifts, donate now to ensure you get the jersey you want. Check out all the gifts and availability on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #33

2010-06-01T00:35:00.000-07:00

On offer today are a set of vintage pieces from Henk Vogels Jr. Now directeur sportif of Fly V Australia, Henk had a long career as a professional cyclist riding from 1995 to 2008 for Novell, Rabobank, Gan, Credit Agricole, Mercury, Mecury/Vitale, Navigator's Insurance, Davitamon Lotto and Toyota-United . He's also represented Australia on nine national teams for the World Road Championships, Commonwealth Games, World Junior Road Championships and World Junior Track Championships. Today Henk has donated to the Journey Home an Australian National Team skinsuit and jersey.

Make a donation to the Journey Home today for the opportunity to own these unique pieces of cycling memorabilia. For details of this and all the donor incentives visit the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #32

2010-05-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

Today's donation incentive demonstrates the camaraderie and support that exists among Christian Meier's Garmin-Transitions team, as more teammates step forward with donations in support of the Journey Home in Michael Meier's memory. Today its a true family affair as the Meyer brothers, Cameron and Travis, offer a jointly signed 2010 Garmin-Transitions jersey.

Both brothers are excel on the track and on the road. Travis Meyer won 5 World Track Titles as a U19 Cyclist at the World Championships and went on to win the Tour of Berlin and the Tour of Wellington as a first year U23 rider. He's also the 2010 Australian National Champion. Older brother Cameron is 2010 World Track Champion in the Points Race, Team Pursuit and Madison and 2010 Australian National Time Trial Champion.

Show your support of the Journey Home by making a donation now. For details of the gifts that qualifying donors are eligible for please visit the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #31

2010-05-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

Show your support of the Journey Home by making a donation now. For details of the gifts that qualifying donors are eligible for please visit the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #30

2010-05-26T00:55:00.000-07:00

Today marks the 30th donation we have received from the world of pro cycling and we are awed at the support the professional peloton has shown to our efforts in funding a cancer education and early detection program in the name of Garmin-Transitions rider Christian Meier's brother Michael who lost a short, intense battle with brain cancer in September 2009. Today's incentive gift is courtesy of another of Christian's teammates on Garmin-Transistions, David Millar. David has won three stages of the Tour de France and two of the Vuelta a España. He was the British national road champion and national time trial champion, both in 2007. He is the only British rider to have worn all Tour de France jerseys and one of four to have worn the yellow jersey.

Show your support of the Journey Home by making a donation now. For details of the gifts that qualifying donors are eligible for please visit the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #29

2010-05-25T00:08:00.000-07:00

Today's donour incentive gift is from Garmin-Transitions' Christian Vande Velde. The son of United States Bicycling Hall of Fame inductee John Vande Velde, Christian is talented on both road and track. He turned professional in 1998 with US Postal and rode for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Track Team in Sydney. Riding for Garmin, Christian finished 4th in the 2008 Tour de France, and 8th in 2009.

Make a donation to the Journey Home today for the opportunity to own this piece of cycling memorabilia. For details of this and all the donor incentives please visit the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #28

2010-05-24T00:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Monday's sneak peek. Today's incentive gift is courtesy of veteran pro cyclist Michael Barry. From Toronto, Michael has been described as "...the most-storied, most-accomplished Canadian professional cyclist ever, short of Steve Bauer." He's ridden for US Postal, T-Mobile, Columbia/High-Road, and now for Team Sky, and he has donated to the journey home a signed Canadian National Team jersey from the 2009 World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Also an accomplished writer, Michael has written two books, countless articles for bike publications and essays for the New York Times. Look for his latest book Le Métier. What is métier? A trade, field or activity at which one excels; one's forte. He writes with a compassion about being a domestique, the unsung working class heroes of the peloton.

UPDATE Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #9

2010-05-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Originally posted April 27: Today's special donation incentive gift is a signed jersey from sprinter Hilton Clarke. We first met Hilton during his days on Navigators Insurance and have followed his career to Toyota-United, Fuji-Servetto and his current team Bahati Foundation. Interesting Hilton fact: his father, a former Olympic Cyclist, introduced Hilton to cycling at the age of 9. UPDATED: Hilton has also had Rashan Bahati and Floyd Landis sign the jersey! UPDATE #2 Upon receipt of the jersey, we note that Floyd Landis HAS NOT signed it.

Check out the Donation Gifts page for a listing of all available items.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #27

2010-05-21T00:02:00.000-07:00

To end the week we are pleased to announce that we received word from Tyler Farrar of Garmin-Transitions, currently racing at the Giro d'Italia, that he will be donating a signed jersey to support the Journey Home. We are waiting for confirmation of whether he has forwarded a team jersey or the Red jersey of the Sprints Leader from the Giro. In either case, a great piece of cycling memorabilia from Tyler's breakthrough year.

Check out the Donation Gifts page for details on the jersey which will be updated as soon as we receive confirmed details.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #26

2010-05-20T00:58:00.000-07:00

Another vintage jersey from our friend Henk Vogels; this is the leader's jersey he won in Stage 1 of the Commonwealth Bank Classic in 1994, his last year as an amateur. He turned professional in 1995 with Novell and after a career that included a pair of top-10 finishes in Paris-Roubaix, second at the 2003 Gent-Wevelgem, wins at the USPRO road and criterium championships, an overall victory at the Tour de Beauce and an Australian national road title he retired at the end of the 2008 season to take on his current role as directeur sportif for the Fly V Australia Pro Cycling team.

Make a donation to the Journey Home today for the opportunity to own this unique piece of cycling history. For details of this and all the donor incentives visit the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #25

2010-05-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

Another piece of cycling history for today's donation incentive. As the longest running professional team in American history, the Navigators Insurance Cycling Team disbanded in 2007 after its fourteenth year as a professional team. The Navigators Group, Inc. is an international insurance holding company that primarily underwrites marine insurance interests. This jersey from their last visit to BC Superweek in Vancouver includes the autographs of then national champions David O’Loughlin (IRE), who was both the Irish national time trial and criterium champion and Sergey Lagutin, the Uzbekistan National Road Champion. Other signatures include Hilton Clark (AUS) who won the 2006 USPro Criterium Championships, and Kristian House current (2009) British National Champion.

Check back tomorrow for our next incentive gift and check out all available gifts on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #24

2010-05-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

Today's donation incentive is a coveted spot in the RBC GranFondo Whistler. All 4,000 spots in the event have been sold out for several weeks now, even though the ride doesn’t take to the Sea to Sky highway until September 11. Event organizer GranFondo Canada has generously donated a spot in the ride to support the Journey Home's fight against Cancer. The entry will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

Check out the Donation Gifts page for auction details which will be posted in the next few days.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #23

2010-05-17T04:11:00.000-07:00

Five weeks until the Journey Home ride from Seattle to Vancouver! Today's Donor Incentive is from the 2009 Swiss National Time Trial Champion; and no it's not Fabian Cancellara, it's Rubens Bertogliati. Rubens rides for Androni Giocattoli, and gained a lot of face time on Friday's 6th Stage of the Giro d'Italia when he was in a daylong break with Matthew Lloyd, in the first mountains stage of the Giro. Lloyd attacked his breakaway companion on Bedizzano climb 11 kilometres from the finish but Rubens heroically held on to to finish 2nd, nine seconds in front of the main group.

A professional cyclist for 10 years, Rubens wore the Maillot Jaune in the 2002 Le Tour de France for two stages, winning Stage 1 in Luxembourg, but for him the Swiss National Time Trial Champion's skinsuit which he has donated is the more significant win. In a note he sent us, he writes, "For me it was like a dream come true. Every time I ride the T.T. bike with the suit on, it reminds me of all the beautiful moments of being Swiss champion has given to me... I wore the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, but the White cross in Red is always something that remains inside you."

Make a donation to the Journey Home today for the opportunity to own this unique piece of cycling memorabilia. For details of this and all the donor incentives visit the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #22

2010-05-14T00:40:00.000-07:00

To finish off the week, a donation from our friends at Uno Imports who will be exclusively bringing LiveStrong and Radioshack cycling apparel to Canada this Summer. Donate $500 to the Journey Home now and you will receive the only LiveStrong jersey available in Canada prior to the June 10th official launch.

Next week be on the look out for more great cycling memorabilia including a skin suit belonging to the Swiss National Time Trial champion. Also coming up; disappointed that you did not register for the RBC Whistler Gran Fondo in time? Stay tuned to find out how we can get you in!

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #21

2010-05-13T00:22:00.000-07:00

Thursday's Donation Incentive is courtesy of Lance Armstrong. Lance has donated to the Journey Home an autographed Collector's Edition of his book Comeback 2.0. The book is a photo-journal of Lance’s return to professional cycling and goal to take his cancer message worldwide. The Collector's Edition includes 16 extra pages of photos and a unique black cloth cover featuring a gold-embossed title.

Check back tomorrow for the last incentive gift for this week and don't forget that you can see all available gifts on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Preview #20

2010-05-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

Wednesday's donation incentive gift comes from Henk Vogels Jr., who also donated another item we featured earlier this month. Henk Vogels Jr. represented Australia at various levels this one was from his Junior days on the National Team Pursuit team. As we know, Henk went on to a long successful career as a professional cyclist and is now directeur sportif of the Fly V Australia Professional Cycling team.

Check back tomorrow for our next incentive gift and check out all available gifts on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Preview #19

2010-05-11T00:09:00.000-07:00

Today's donation incentive is courtesy of the Astana Cycling Team, led by Alberto Contador and Kazahstan Alexandre Vinokourov. Vinokourov in his first full season since a comback from a doping ban has won the 2010 Liège–Bastogne–Liège and is currently leading the Giro d'Italia after a chaotic, crash strewn Stage 3 yesterday. Contador has had a quiet season thus far but expect to see the two time Tour de France champion going for the win again in July.

Check back tomorrow for an opportunity to own a piece of Olympic history from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. See all the available gifts on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Preview #18

2010-05-10T00:54:00.000-07:00

Six weeks to the Journey Home and to kick off this week a donation from UCI Continental Team Type 1. Founded to inspire people with diabetes around the world to take control of their health through diet, exercise and proper health care, Team Type 1 is the world's only professional cycling team with a roster that includes riders who have Type 1 diabetes. The team recently recently met with the Giro d'Italia with hopes of competing in the Giro, maybe as early as 2011.

Check back tomorrow for our next incentive gift and check out all available gifts on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #17

2010-05-07T00:39:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the Giro d'Italia, Sean Yates, Director Sportif for Team Sky has donated a Team Sky jersey signed by the Sky Team for the 2010 Giro. The Team, led by Bradley Wiggins and Dario Cioni will include Michael Barry, Steve Cummings, Chris Froome, Mathew Hayman, Greg Henderson, Morris Possoni and Chris Sutton.

We're off for the weekend but check back Monday for our next incentive gift and check out all available gifts on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #16

2010-05-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

Thursday's Incentive gift is donated by Fly V Australia rider Phil Zajicek. A professional cyclist on the domestic scene for almost a decade, Phil has demonstrated that he can compete with Pro Tour riders as evidenced by his overall finishes at the last two Tour of the Gila: 2009 - 3rd behind Levi Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong and 2010: fourth behind Levi Leipheimer, Tom Danielson, and David Zabriskie.

Look for Phil in the upcoming Tour of California where he will have another opportunity to prove he a Pro Tour level rider. Fly V, Australia's largest and most successful team aim to ride the Tour de France in 2012. Check back tomorrow for our next incentive gift and check out all available gifts on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #15

2010-05-05T00:54:00.000-07:00

Wednesday's donation gift is courtesy of Christian's and Svein's Garmin-Transitions teammate, David Zabriskie. David has donated a signed 2009 Garmin-Slipstream jersey. David is known not just for his race results - he's won stages in all three Grand Tours and in 2005 set a record for the fastest individual time trial in the history of the Tour de France (54.676 km/h) - but also for his off-the-wall personality and his multifaceted ventures (check out dz-nuts.com -protect your junk). Coincidentally, David and Svein are both 5-time and reigning Time Trial Champions in their respective countries.

Check back tomorrow for our next incentive gift and don't forget you can now see all available gifts on the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #14

2010-05-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

We are awed by the generosity of members of the pro peloton, past and present, who are donating items for our special incentive gifts. Some of these have very special significance to their owners; today's is a perfect example - Gord Fraser's 2004 HealthNet National Champion's jersey.

Here's an excerpt from the note Gord sent along with the jersey: "The jersey has a little BC flavor and very special meaning to me... During my long career, I had never won a National Championship of any kind. When I traveled to Kamloops in '04 to contest the Nationals, it had double meaning and importance as it served for that year's Olympic Trials. The day before while pre-riding the course my hopes and aspirations suffered a severe set back. Seeing the incredibly difficult nature of the course almost made me pack up and fly home right there; the course could not have been worse suited for me. Adding to my self doubts while standing at the top of the climb, a team rolled up and started laughing that I had traveled all the way up there for nothing. I laughed with them of course but deep down I was all but defeated...Well, the race came and I rode one of the best races of my career. Not only did I win and punch my ticket to Athens but I finally got to wear that National Champion Jersey... something I had dreamed of since I was 15 years old..."

Thanks for sharing with us Gord. Check out all available donation incentives the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #13

2010-05-03T02:32:00.000-07:00

Today, a real vintage jersey from our friend Henk Vogels, his 1997 Gan Team Jersey. Henk rode with GAN/Crédit Agricole between 1997-1999 and during that time became National Road Race Champion of Australia and finished in the top ten of Paris – Roubaix twice! He is now directeur sportif of the Fly V Australia Professional Cycling team.

Check out all available donation incentives the Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #12

2010-04-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here's another very special jersey: Christian Meier's Blue Sprint Jersey from the 2010 Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco (Tour of the Basque Country). Christian was in a break all day on the first stage and collected enough points to gain the Blue Jersey. For the rest of the race, Garmin-Transitions rode to help him carry his lead to the finish. As Christian wrote on Twitter, "Not sure I will win too many more sprint jerseys in my career, haha."

Check back tomorrow for our next incentive gift and don't forget you can now see all available gifts on our new Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #11

2010-04-29T00:46:00.000-07:00

Signed by the entire Saxo Bank 2009 Tour de France team: Andy and Frank Schleck, Fabian Cancellara, Stuart O'Grady, Nicki Sorensen, Gustav Larsson, Chris Anker Sorensen, Jens Voigt and Kurt-Asle Arvesen. 2009 was an amazing Tour for Saxo Bank with Andy finishing 2nd in GC and Frank in 5th, and Cancellara wearing yellow jersey for the first six stages, only losing it on the first true mountain stage finish atop Andorra-Arcalis.

See the actual signed jersey on our Donation Gifts page. Check back tomorrow for our next incentive gift.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #10

2010-04-28T02:17:00.000-07:00

Signed by "Big George" George Hincapie this is the long sleeve version of the BMC US National Champion jersey. One of the peloton's most trusted lieutenants George has guided Lance Armstrong and in more recent years, Mark Cavandish, to multiple wins while picking up some notable ones himself.

Remember we post a new incentive gift everyday so check back regularly. You can see all available gifts on our new Donation Gifts page.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #9

2010-04-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

Today's special donation incentive gift is a signed jersey from sprinter Hilton Clarke. We first met Hilton during his days on Navigators Insurance and have followed his career to Toyota-United, Fuji-Servetto and his current team Bahati Foundation. Interesting Hilton fact: his father, a former Olympic Cyclist, introduced Hilton to cycling at the age of 9. UPDATED: Hilton has also had Rashan Bahati and Floyd Landis sign the jersey!

Stayed tuned for another incentive gift preview tomorrow, and check out the new Donation Gifts page for a listing of all available items.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #7

2010-04-23T06:17:00.000-07:00

Today a donation gift from one of our inaugural Journey Home team members, Axel Merckx. Axel raced as professional from 1993 to 2007. He was the 2000 Belgian National Champion and participated in eight Tours de France and captured a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Axel's commitments as Directeur Sportif for the Trek-Livestrong U-23 team mean that he will be unable ride with the Journey Home team this year. He has however donated a signed Trek-Livestrong jersey.

Check back Monday as we unveil another item available to qualifying donors. We will shortly be posting complete details on how you can qualify for one of these great mementos.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #6

2010-04-22T06:55:00.000-07:00

From our favourite source of "What's Cool in Pro Cycling" the official PezCycling News "Mondrian Pez" jersey courtesy of Richard Pestes. PezCycling News provides the cycling community with unique, entertaining, in-depth coverage of the cycling world, written for riders, by riders. Visited daily by thousands of cyclists looking for up-to-date racing news, interviews, training advice, tech updates, and the latest headlines from around the world, PezCycling News promises to never be boring. How cool is it that one of the most popular cycling news websites is based right here in (North) Vancouver.

Check back tomorrow for our next sneak peek. Each day we are unveiling another item available to qualifying donors, leading up to one very special piece.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #5

2010-04-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

Today we have a 2009 Garmin-Slipstream jersey signed by Journey Home Team member Svein Tuft. Svein is a member of the Garmin Transitions Pro Cycling Team, 5-time and reigning Canadian Time Trial Champion, 2008 World Championships Silver Medalist in the Time Trial.

Plenty of new pieces coming in daily, along with many more confirmations from riders and teams that they will be forwarding pieces for us to offer as incentive gifts, so be sure to check back regularly.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #4

2010-04-20T06:09:00.000-07:00

As promised yesterday, today's preview package is big on Canadian content: Christian Meier's complete Garmin-Slipstream National Champion's kit including shorts, long sleeve jersey, short sleeve jersey and vest (and a bonus vintage Slipstream-Chipotle musette).

Check back tomorrow as we unveil another item available to qualifying donors. We will shortly be posting complete details on how you can qualify to for one of these great mementos.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek#3

2010-04-19T06:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Peek #3 of the special memorabilia we are offering for donations to the Journey Home and our fight against Cancer. Today a blast from the past from our good friends, and long time pro cycling supporters, at Navigators Insurance: A signed jersey featuring signatures of the 2005 Navigators Team in Vancouver to race at BC Superweek, including Henk Vogels, Olympic Gold Medalist Marty Nothstein and two time Canadian National Champion, Mark Walters.

Check back tomorrow as we unveil a gift with a very Canadian feel. Each day we will be revealing another item available to qualifying donors, leading up to one very special piece.

Special Incentive: Sneak Peek #2

2010-04-16T07:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peek #2 of the of memorabilia we are pleased to be able to offer for donating to our fight against Cancer: Garmin-Slipstream Canadian National Time Trial Champion Skinsuit, signed by Garmin-Transitions' and Journey Home team member Svein Tuft.

We're working hard to be able to present some very special incentives for significant donations to the Journey Home. Stay turned for information on how to donate and claim one of these priceless items.

Check back tomorrow for our next sneak peek. Each day we are unveiling another item available to qualifying donors, leading up to one very special piece.

Special Incentives: Gifts for Significant Donations

2010-04-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

We're working hard to be able to present some very special incentives for significant donations to the Journey Home. Stay turned for information on how to donate and claim one of these priceless items.

Here's a sneak peek at one of the pieces of memorabilia we are pleased to be able to offer: CSC jersey signed by members of the 2008 Tour of California Team including Fabian Cancellera, Stuart O'Grady, Jens Voight and Karsten Kroon.

Check back regularly, each day we will unveil another item available to qualifying donors.

Journey Home Welcomes New Team Member

2010-03-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

The Journey Home Team is pleased to welcome Ross Turnbull as the latest rider to be riding from Seattle to Vancouver after the Ride to Conquer Cancer. This finalises the 2010 Team. Ross is a Director, Portfolio Manager at Odlum Brown and a member of the Wedgewood Cycling Team. Odlum Brown are sponsors of the Wedgewood Cycling Team, and the Wedgewood Ride to Conquer Cancer Team.

The Team is now composed of 12 returning and new riders.

Returning riders are:
Philip Meyer, General Manager, Wedgewood Hotel and Spa, Director-Wedgewood Cycling Team
David Cohen, Chairman and CEO, Gold Wheaton
Damon Williams, President, Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management
John Litherland, Retired, Member - Wedgewood Cycling Team
Michael Sileika, Senior Manager, Deloitte & Touche, Director - Wedgewood Cycling Team

New riders for 2010 are:
Christian Meier, Garmin Transitions Pro Cycling Team, 2008 Canadian Road Race Champion
Svein Tuft, Garmin Transitions Pro Cycling Team, 5-time and reigning Canadian Time Trial Champion, 2008 World Championships Silver Medalist Time Trial
Graham Garrison, President, Garrison, Beatty & Garrison, Member - Wedgewood Cycling Team
Andrew Sweeney, Vice President, Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management
Ross Turnbull, Director, Portfolio Manager, Odlum Brown, Member- Wedgewood Cycling Team

The riders will be supported by Wedgewood Cycling Team members: Vince Lee, Morna Creedon, and Judi Garrison.

A New Outlook on Life

2010-01-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

Today velonews.com has an interview with Christian which in part discusses the loss of Michael and the effect it has had on him.

Do not assume for one moment that Christian Meier’s innocent baby face translates to an aversion for hard work or that the 24-year-old Canadian hasn’t already experienced his share of life’s hardship. In Garmin-Transitions’ second-year recruit, VeloNews discovers an individual of quiet, burning ambition, who believes the tragic loss of a family member may well lead to a life both far from ordinary and highly rewarding.

VN: Speaking about something so not great, I understand your brother passed away recently. I know I’m stating the bleeding obvious, but it must be an incredibly difficult aspect to deal with.

CM: My brother passed away during the Vuelta, so I left (the race) four days shy of finishing. He lost a battle with cancer, which was quite short and intense – about six months in total – so that was a tough time for the family, and I went home to be with them. I came back and wanted to finish off the season highly motivated. It kind of motivated me, and gave me a new reality of my situation and how lucky I am to be healthy and living such an amazing lifestyle being a cyclist, doing what I love to do and traveling the world and living in Spain. That really hits home when something like that happens.

VN: Cycling is often about struggling through adversity, so there are possibly elements with what you experienced with the loss of your brother and what you will experience in your future years as a bike rider.

CM: For me, it puts pain in a new perspective. For all cyclists, it’s so temporary compared to what people with cancer have to deal with. Our pain lasts for a few hours a day – you go home, you put your feet up, have some dinner, life’s good – whereas for them, the struggle doesn’t end. If they’re lucky and they’re fortunate, they overcome the battle; for others, it can be long and drawn out and they still lose the battle. For us (cyclists), we struggle every day but in the grand scheme of things, I don’t think it’s like what a lot of people have to go through.

Courtesy: velonews.com
Read the complete article here

Making Every Ride Count

2010-01-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

TWO simple but powerful words are tattooed on the inside of Christian Meier’s left arm.

Last Chance.

They’re done in fancy writing and the tattoo, just two months old, still has that fresh blue look about it.

It’s a stark reminder for the young Canadian heading into his second Tour Down Under with Team Garmin-Transitions in Adelaide this week.

But it’s not there because of cycling. At 24, Meier is far from on his last chance on the pro circuit and will have plenty of opportunities to prove himself.

His late brother Michael, sadly, does not.

Michael woke with a headache one morning in March last year and was diagnosed with a brain tumour that despite surgery, tragically took his life in September.

Meier was four days from finishing his first Grand Tour, the Vuelta de Espana (Tour of Spain), and immediately flew home to attend the funeral.

He said it was "very difficult" to deal with at the time but the pain eventually motivated him to get back on his bike and ride like never before.

"It was also kind of really motivating for me to come back and realise that in the grand scheme, you’re out there riding your bike and it’s a little bit painful," he said.

"But it’s not even close to being as painful as laying in the hospital and basically knowing that your life might be coming to an end. It changes the way you think about pain in general."

The 2008 Canadian national road champion is heading into his second full season with Garmin-Transitions.

As well as sporting the team's new-look kit, Meier is sporting the tattoo in memory of his brother.

"He woke up one day with a headache. Two days later he was in surgery for a brain tumour. It came out of nowhere. He was a perfectly healthy 25-year-old man," Meier said.

"It’s (tattoo) kind of a reminder that any moment can kind of be your last chance."

His brother’s memory has also inspired Meier to take a stand in the global fight against cancer.

"I want to do some initiatives back home in Canada that support the cancer community. Do some different charity events so I’m kind of excited and it's become a bit of a passion for me to help that."

"It’s crazy how fast it can happen and how many people are affected by cancer. It’s becoming too common."

Meier, who was born in Sussex, New Brunswick, made his first pro team (Symmetrics Pro Cycling) in 2004 where he spent what he describes "an amazing" three years on the UCI American Tour.

That led to a spot on Garmin's roster where he is very much at home among the team's growing list of emerging young stars.

For one, he’s surrounded by three young Australians who have also been national champions in Jack Bobridge and the Meyer brothers - Travis and Cameron - who won their crowns last week.

Meier says he’s still "trying to figure out" what sort of rider he is, but after the TDU he'l target the Tour de Mediterranean in France before concentrating on his "team duties" where required.

He is also desperate to reclaim the Canadian national jersey he surrendered last year.

"I had it in 2008 so I'd like to have that back. It's a nice jersey to have," he said.

There's plenty happening off the bike as well with Meier to marry his fiancée in September. But for the next seven days his focus is solely on the Tour Down Under his second crack at the race after debuting last year.

"I thought it was amazing (in 2009)," he said."It’s such a great race for a few reasons. For one they have it set up well because the teams can come down a week early and acclimatise, you have great accommodation and you get to stay in the same accommodation the whole time."

"The food is always very good, the weather’s great and the crowds are amazing.(Last year) it was an amazing atmosphere. You could probably get some Tour (de France) stages in the mountain tops (like that). But apart from that you’re dealing with a handful of races that have those sorts of crowds."

Courtesy: Southern Times Messenger, Adelaide, Australia

The 2010 Journey Home Team

2010-01-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

The Journey Home Team sees some new faces joining members of the inaugural ride.
Returning riders are:
Philip Meyer, General Manager, Wedgewood Hotel and Spa, Director-Wedgewood Cycling Team
David Cohen, Chairman and CEO, Gold Wheaton
Damon Williams, President, Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management
John Litherland, Retired, Member - Wedgewood Cycling Team
Michael Sileika, Senior Manager, Deloitte & Touche, Director - Wedgewood Cycling Team

New riders for 2010 are:
Christian Meier, Garmin Transitions Pro Cycling Team, 2008 Canadian Road Race Champion
Svein Tuft, Garmin Transitions Pro Cycling Team, 5-time and reigning Canadian Time Trial Champion, 2008 World Championships Silver Medalist Time Trial
Graham Garrison, President, Garrison, Beatty & Garrison, Member - Wedgewood Cycling Team
Andrew Sweeney, Vice President, Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management
Ross Turnbull, Director, Portfolio Manager, Odlum Brown, Member- Wedgewood Cycling Team

The riders will be supported by Wedgewood Cycling Team members: Vince Lee, Morna Creedon, and Judi Garrison.

Journey Home 2010

2010-01-11T22:12:00.000-08:00

June 21, 2010 marks the second year that a small group of friends will ride back to Vancouver after completing the BC Cancer Foundation Ride to Conquer Cancer from Vancouver to Seattle. Last year's "Journey Home" raised funds for our friend Sindi Hawkins and her Education Endowment at BC Cancer Foundation.

This year's Journey Home Ride will be ridden in memory of Michael Meier who lost his fight with cancer in the Autumn of 2009. Michael was the brother of professional cyclist Christian Meier of the Garmin-Transitions Pro Cycling Team.

Michael Reinhold Meier passed away six days shy of his 26th birthday. Michael was a hard worker who loved trucks and engines. He lived in New Brunswick but trucked all over North America, and he very much enjoyed his career. He faced a short, but very intense, battle with cancer which nobody saw coming. In mid-March 2009 Michael went to the hospital after a very painful headache. After undergoing brain scans and tests, he was booked for emergency brain surgery two days later. Doctors removed a tumor and after going through radiation and chemotherapy Michael's doctors were extremely optimistic that he would make a full recovery. However, three months after the surgery Michael's face started swelling and his family encouraged him to go back to the hospital to get everything checked out.

His doctors did more tests and after many days came to the conclusion that the cancer had returned, more intense then before. They gave him six months to live, but he did not even get three. Christian was riding in the Vuelta Espana when he learned of his brother's passing and immediately left the race to return to New Brunswick to be with his family.

During Michael's battle with brain cancer he remained strong and very positive. He truly thought he was going to win the fight. He spent a lot of time with his family during the last few months, and died in hospital with his wife by his side.

He is survived by his wife Katie and two children, Kristina and Sophia.

Our hope is that by riding in Michael's memory it will give us all the motivation to be able to raise enough money to fund the development of an education and early stage detection program in British Columbia.

Stay tuned for details on how you may donate or support the Journey Home. For more details please contact Philip Meyer, pmeyer(at)wedgewoodhotel.com.