Robin’s Cancer Olympics “I want to leave you with 3 main points,” says Robin McGee, author of The Cancer Olympics, and guest speaker at our first Talk Life Community Event. 1. This book is a love letter. It’s one way that Robin is saying thank you to the many friends and family members who […]
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Trikes N Trails: Trike Riding for Adults *Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. It just meant that I got to try something new and plan a great event for my friends and me!* Silly Rabbit! Trikes are for kids! Not any more! When Nancy Hurren approached me to talk […]
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Robin’s Cancer Olympics “I want to leave you with 3 main points,” says Robin McGee, author of The Cancer Olympics, and guest speaker at our first Talk Life Community Event. 1. This book is a love letter. It’s one way that Robin is saying thank you to the many friends and family members who […]
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Trikes N Trails: Trike Riding for Adults *Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. It just meant that I got to try something new and plan a great event for my friends and me!* Silly Rabbit! Trikes are for kids! Not any more! When Nancy Hurren approached me to talk […]
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“I want to leave you with 3 main points,” says Robin McGee, author of The Cancer Olympics, and guest speaker at our first Talk Life Community Event.
1. This book is a love letter.
It’s one way that Robin is saying thank you to the many friends and family members who supported her throughout her cancer journey.
2. Democracy Works.
Write letters to your politicians. Social media can work to create social change.
3. Be vigilant about your own health care. Follow up on your referrals. Ask questions. Seek other opinions. Take responsibility for your own health care.
What Robin is talking about is her battle with colorectal cancer which began in 2008.
When Robin first went to the doctor with her symptoms, she was bounced around amongst 4 doctors – none of whom followed up with her, or gave her adequate care, or declared the severity of her symptoms when passing her on to another doctor. As a result, Robin went 22 months before having a scope and being diagnosed with Stage 3C colorectal cancer. It was almost too late.
“It was a perfect storm of medical mismanagement,” she says.
Robin then went through 2 brutal years of chemo, radiation and two surgeries.Now, almost 4 years later, Robin is cancer free and working on patient advocacy committees to ensure that the same medical mismanagement doesn’t happen to others.
Her entire story is chronicled in her book, The Cancer Olympics.
Journey with Robin through her cancer journey and her fight for a cancer drug to be approved in Nova Scotia.
This is a story of friendship and love. It’s a story of being strong in the face of adversity, and it’s a story of the power of love and friendship.
On October 15, 2014, Robin McGee bravely stood in front of a group of 40 women to share her story. She was applauded for being a hero and a remarkable woman. We all had something to learn. In fact, several people have already called their doctors for either an appointment or to follow up on a referral (one of which had indeed been lost in transfer!)
Robin McGee was the perfect speaker to launch the new women’s group, Talk Life Community (TLC) of which I am proud to be a founding member.
Laura, Dr. Robin McGee, Lia and Vanessa
Talk Life Community (TLC) was created by three friends who realized how many accomplished women they knew, all with important stories and life lessons to share. The group consists of Lia Glover, Port Williams, and Vanessa Gennette and Laura Churchill Duke, Kentville.
Talk Life Community is a roaming cafe for women. It focuses on the joys and challenges of women of all ages and experiences. Our goal is to share stories from those who have been there, done that. With so many creative, courageous, intelligent and accomplished women in the Valley to tell their stories, we believe you will leave a Talk Life Community event, better than you arrived.
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*Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own. It just meant that I got to try something new and plan a great event for my friends and me!*
Silly Rabbit! Trikes are for kids! Not any more!
When Nancy Hurren approached me to talk about her new business venture, Trikes N Trails, my first thought was – When can I try them?
Trikes N Trails is a mobile adult eco adventure trike rental and events service that is exploding into the Annapolis Valley area! We offer group rental services, special events and guided tours of the beautiful trails throughout the Valley on our high quality adult trikes.
The trikes can also be used by youth aged 10+ (for insurance reasons).
It’s a bit hard to understand how it all works unless you go and try it for yourself! So, that’s what we did.
Trikes N Trails has 9 bikes to rent, so I gathered a group of 9 women who were willing and available to come out for a ride. I tried to get a group with different fitness levels and ages. Grace was our youngest at 12 years old, while Marge, in her 70s, was, as she called herself “the token old person.” (However, let me tell you that Marge soon left the rest of us in her dust!
We gathered with Nancy to get the low-down on the bikes.
There are two different styles. These trikes were designed by Urban Trike based out of Arizona. All of the peddle trikes are front wheel driven and the frames are made with high grade steel. They are also designed with the free spinning front wheel and pedals working independently of one another making them great for coasting. Finally with safety always being a priority, all trikes come with working front wheel brakes.
The Bailey has a higher seat and can accommodate up to 350 lbs. This one is great for those who have mobility issues and can’t get down as low. When using this bike, you can really feel it in your thighs!
The Atticus is the larger of the two models. Its longer frame gives the rider a more laid-back posture allowing for great pedalling power! It’s called the Low-Rider. Go on – sing the song. With this bike, you can really feel it in your bum! (This one was my favourite)
We were then let loose on the bikes, and took our time biking around the trail at Miner’s Marsh in Kentville. This path was mostly flat, had loose gravel and was wide enough to safely pass pedestrians.
“I feel like I am two years old again!” “It takes you back to trike riding as a young child!”
“This is so much fun! I love it!”
“I didn’t think I could do it, but I can!”
“The best part of it all is putting smiles on people’s faces,” says Nancy.
You could barely hear anything above our gales of laughter as we took off around the marsh. We couldn’t stop laughing and smiling!
It was a beautiful day, so lots of people were out walking. Everyone stopped and stared or asked questions.
“If I can do it, anyone can!” said another one of our senior women.
That certainly holds true for one friend who had had 2 major knee surgeries. The triking did not aggravate her knees at all!
“It’s a lot harder than it looks!” said another. Although low impact, and easier than a regular bike, you still get a good work out. The great thing is, you can set your own pace, put your feet down to rest, or coast along for awhile.
The overall analysis was that this was one fun way and unique way to spend an afternoon. Regardless of age, fitness level or ability, every single person could ride the trikes and had a great time!
“I would definitely do this again!” “I would love to try this with my husband or a few other couples!”
For a rental for 7-9 people, for 1.5-2 hours, it is only $20 per person or $15 for seniors (55+). Taxes Incl.
The trikes will then be delivered to the location of your choice.
There are 5 suggested places that are great for trying the trikes
1. Miner’s Marsh, Kentville
-Intermedite, Some small grades, hard gravel, 1/2 – 2 hrs.
2. KCA to Memorial Park in Kentville
-Beginner, Flat, Paved
3. Reservoir Park, Wolfville
-Inter./ Difficult.
1 1/2-2 hrs. Some Grades, hard gravel
4. Parking lot across from Willow Park to Acadia Gym, Wolfville
-Beginner, hard gravel, flat
5. Jone’s Rd. to Lockhart Ryan park, New Minas
-Beginner, Flat, Paved
-1 1/2-2hrs.
Adults love the trikes and are eager to try them. However, Nancy says that the pre-teens and the teenagers are the hardest sell.
As one friend said, “it’s hard to look cool on one of these bikes!”
This was certainly true with our riding experience. One of the girls brought her teenaged son along to help “push” if needed. He stayed on the sidelines for the first bit until he finally got on the bike. Unsure if this would be fun or cool, he was quickly won over. He was also the last to get off the bike!
Trikes N Trails also does birthday parties for youth aged 10+. These parties are either outdoors, or at an indoor location (to be discussed). Nancy and her crew have a whole set of activities up their sleeves including obstacle courses, playing hockey while on the trikes, glow parties, and much more that you need to see to believe!
“This would definitely make a great party!”
“I would love to use Trikes N Trails for a fundraising activity at the school!”
The possibilities are endless. Whatever you decide, everyone will have fun – even those who are at first hesitant!
Overall, we had an incredible afternoon together. We got to try something new and fun, spend time with friends, be in the great outdoors, and get some exercise. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon!
Book your excursion today! You’ll never believe how much fun it is until you try it!
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