Hot Pursuit 2010

Hot Pursuit 2010

Update & thanks from Arvid Loewen.

It has been 2 weeks since we crossed the Hot Pursuit finish-line at the Legislative Buildings in Winnipeg. A big thank you to team CMU, the Winnipeg Police and the Gogos from Calgary. I was glad to create and share a public platform with you. I hope those who followed the event on the website (www.hotpursuit2010.com) were inspired, even if just a little bit, to get out and pursue an initiative of your own to make a difference. A special thanks to the Winnipeg Police team for arranging a police escort for the final 13km to the Legislative Buildings.

Ultra-marathon cycling is my platform from which to share my passion to help Charles Mulli rescue and rehabilitate hundreds and thousands of abandoned children. During an event like Hot Pursuit, I experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, physically, mentally and emotionally. I must be willing to accept adversity as a friend and teacher. When I got to Calgary, only 1,000km into the 2,330km race, my struggle processing much needed calories, seriously jeopardized my chances of reaching Winnipeg. I had two choices: 1) Abandon the ride, or 2) Find a way to stay on the bike and pedal.

Did I have the courage in my heart to dig that deep and continue?

After a three hour break, I was back on the bike. Once I was able to process some much need calories again, my energy level increased and I was able to reach Winnipeg (2,330km) in 4 days, 3 hours and 43 min. This beat my previous personal best by 18 hours.

This learned ability to cope with adversity is of little value however, unless applied in real life where it matters. For me that real life means being an unrelenting ambassador for the Mully Children's Family. If I am prepared to put that much effort into reaching a man-made finish line like the Legislative Buildings in Winnipeg, surely I should be willing to do much more on behalf of an abandoned child.

I want to thank all those who have supported this effort with a donation towards the purchase of food at MCF. To date, we have raised just over $100,000! We have reached the half-way point of our $215,000.00 goal. Cheques are still coming in every day. Are we willing to offer hope to an abandoned child by responding to the prompting in our hearts? There is nothing more enjoyable than going to the mailbox and picking up some more cheques, many, from people I will never meet. Thank you so much.

Arvid Loewen

....because it matters to this one...

Why Arvid rides: meet Charity

Meet the Gogos