From left to right: Charlie Howell, Cory Forrest, Dan Smith, Fred McKay, Naresh Lalman, me, Sheryl Edwards, Arthur Desroches "Jr."

Well, it’s been a good run! Since starting this incredible road trip back in November, I’ve helped move the convoy across Quebec, through the Prairies the beautiful arid Okanagan region. This was an amazing opportunity that I will never forget.

I left the relay last week with mixed emotions. Sure, it was exhausting, but I’ve also made so many good friendships along the way and seen more of our beautiful country than most people probably will ever see. The convoy is in Arts hands with 10 more days left in its journey. I know he’ll do a great job.

I couldn’t have done it without Art. Being able to take a rest every couple of weeks is essential for such a marathon. While he and I didn’t see much of each other, he would always have the convoy in prime shape when it was my turn to take over. It made the whole process very smooth.

I also couldn’t have done any of this without GM’s blessing. They were the ones who hand-picked Art and me to accompany the torch.

Keep watching for Art’s updates – I will be – and have fun cheering on Team Canada when the Games finally get under way!

Serge

A great 360 view wherever you go

I’ll tell you one thing: you can’t go wrong visiting Banff. Wednesday was my fourth time at the National Park in the past two years (I’ve been lucky enough to come here often for work). It was great to take in the cool mountain views after the high energy of Calgary’s Olympic torch celebrations.

Our official day book on the relay

The first time I came to Banff was about 10 years ago, and I remember seeing elk just walking casually down the road. I didn’t see any this time, but I got to see something better – the expressions on the faces of my two guys who had never been out of the Greater Toronto Area. Their jaws dropped as soon as we arrived! I can’t blame them. Even though I’ve been here many times, I’m still awestruck whenever I look at our country’s natural beauty.

After getting settled, I wanted to take some time with just me and my team and head out to the hot springs, because for the next 13 days while we’re in the Rockies the GM dealerships will be a 40 to 60 km detour away, so the work will be tough. As luck would have it, the crew and I got called to repair a vehicle before we could get our swimsuits on, so the hot springs will have to wait. Still, I’m still glad to have been able to visit.

If you ever get a chance to come out to Banff, do it! I guarantee you’ll find a hotel with a view of the mountains.

Serge

Look out for moose - and wolves!

We’ve hit a paradigm shift on the Torch Relay. Bidding adieu to the urban sprawl and relatively mild temperatures, we’ve been greeted by what most people think is the essence of Canada. No, not Tim Hortons and hockey – cold and wildlife!

Driving from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, it was a balmy minus 22 degrees Celsius. Normally it’s minus 47 °C.

Yesterday, I had to change a tire in that frigid weather, so needless to say, I patched it up as quickly as possible. Although I was freezing, thoughts of the Torch being lit in 38 days in Vancouver (and heading back home to my wife) got me through it.

Sled dogs, not wolves in New Liskard, ON

The cold is no match for the Torch Relay, which has been perfected to a science. The torchbearers braving these extremely chilly temperatures are dropped off at their starting point by a shuttle bus and are immediately greeted by the approaching runner. They do their thing – usually a high-five or a hug – and the previous torchbearer gets straight onto the toasty warm bus. The process continues for the length of the run each day. The system is in place so that a torchbearer doesn’t spend any more than six minutes outside – lucky guys and gals!

We’ve seen moose galore lately – they’re giant animals, and we’ve got to be careful. They say if you hit a moose and you’re uninjured, you’re lucky!

The great goose in Wawa, ON

Another animal I’ve only caught glimpses of are wolves. I’ve tried to take a Twitpic of them, but they disappear before I can even reach for my BlackBerry.

We’re pulling into Winnipeg tonight, and Art is coming out tomorrow to take over for two weeks while I thaw out. I’ll be thinking of him while I’ve got my feet up next to the fireplace.

While you’re waiting for Art, check out Christina’s two excellent blog posts from her ride-along on December 27 in London. She did a great job as my sidekick and paints a beautiful picture of what a morning is like on the road: Part 1, Part 2

Serge

Caption: Flickr photo by Justin Timperio

Now imagine you’re a Torch Bearer. You see the Flame jogging towards you. You grip the Torch – you won’t let go, because you’ve prepared – and the second that aura of gas ignites, there’s nothing but silence. The other Torch bearer smiles, and you find your self smiling, too and slapping hands or hugging or bumping bellies before you take off on your 300-metre jog as the only person in the world in possession of the Olympic Flame.

There is nothing left but for you to take in that moment. The roar of the crowd fills your ears and the convoy slides forward, smoothly following your every step.

I’ve been told it’s that moment – the transfer of the Flame – when time stops for those who have experienced it. The silence from the hybrid vehicles is what makes it. Including alternative fuel vehicles, hybrids make up 30 per cent of our fleet, and we’re thrilled that Torch Bearers can feel that moment when the convoy eases to a halt and the electric engines shut off and there is nothing but a void to be filled by the roaring crowd and the energy of the Flame.

Top 10 Torch Relay Memories

With 2009 hours from being behind us, yearly top-10 lists are everywhere – from the best (or worst) fashions to the best cars (my kind of list). Art and I will play along and give you the top – funny and touching – moments of the Torch Relay for us so far:

10. Starting in Victoria, B.C. (Serge) – Nothing beats seeing the flame arrive on Canadian soil after travelling all the way from Greece.
9. Carriers coming into St. John’s, NL (Art) – Art had never seen as many vehicles stacked on one another, and he’s a car guy!
8. The super-fast auto body shop in Tois-Rivieres, QC (Serge) – Check out the before and after pictures, all done in less than 24 hours!
7. Massive tides in the Bay of Fundy (Art)
6. Meeting comedian Ron James on the way to Fredericton (Serge)
5. The guy who wanted to show off his hunting prowess for the entire Relay in Halifax (Art) – He strapped a buck he caught to the back of his ATV on a trailer!
4. Kids on the side of the road (Art and Serge) – Nothing beats it. If you want to see a grown man get teary-eyed, come visit us when the school kids are out and cheering on the Flame.
3. The Forbes Bros story (Art) – This third-generation GM dealer looked after the Torch Relay convoy for the 1988 Olympics, and he’s did it again for 2010.
2. The woman getting the torch bought for her in PEI (Art)
1. Children watching the torch in the atrium of the SickKids Hospital (Art)

We’re pulling into Barrie tonight after a 110 km trip from Owen Sound, and like every community we’re in, each has an incredible story of Olympic proportions. There are so many great ones, but it’s impossible to tell them all here on this small blog, but tonight in Barrie, a man named Bob Middlemiss has one of the best Olympic stories I’ve heard.

Bob is Barrie, Ontario’s honourary community torchbearer – it means he’ll get to light the cauldron at the ceremony tonight. At age 19, Bob was a track star slated to compete in the 1940 Olympic Games in Tokyo, but the onset of the Second World War put an end to that dream, and Bob was sent overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served our country proudly, receiving the Flying Cross for shooting down five enemy aircrafts. If that’s not enough to show you Bob is a true champion, after being shot down over the Mediterranean, he survived by clinging to a dinghy overnight.

69 years later, and at age 88, Bob is ready for his second chance at an Olympic dream. He will finish the final 300-metre stretch the cauldron on stage in front of Barrie City Hall this evening at 6 p.m., and make no mistake, everyone will be cheering for him.

The Barrie Examiner has an excellent story about Bob. I urge you to give it a read.

Can’t have too much security for the VIF (Very Important Flame)

It’s Serge! Did you miss me? I’m back on the road after a relaxing Christmas. I hope all of you enjoyed your holidays with your families.

I’ve got a ride-along tomorrow with Christina, a blogger and one of the biggest 2010 fans I’ve ever seen. I’m looking forward to showing her behind-the-scenes look at the Torch Relay. It should be a blast!

There’s nothing like getting up close to the Flame while people cheer you on, surrounded by police vehicles. The people Art and I have been on ride-alongs with say it makes you feel like a VIP! That’s my life – a professional VIP (who has to make sure the occasional flat tire or chipped windshield gets replaced – or else!).

The Relay starts in London and the route takes us zig-zagging north east up to Kitchner. We’ll keep heading north to Timmins on New Year’s Day after which we move west, past Thunder Bay and into Manitoba – toward Vancouver!

See you on the relay!

Calgary Olympics '88

Someone asked me the other day if I noticed a difference between English-speaking and French-speaking towns when it comes to people’s excitement for the Torch Relay. We may not speak the same language, but I can tell you first-hand that the yells of support haven’t let up since we started the East Coast leg in the Maritimes.

So, that makes two things all Canadians love: the Torch Relay and hockey…and poutine. Guess that makes three!

The snow has been piling up for the last few days, but the route is clear. I get a kick out of the people trying to run alongside the Flame on the slippery sidewalks. A few have taken quite the spill.

The Flame has hit Montreal. I’m giving a few people a behind-the-scenes ride along tomorrow so people can get close to the action. It will be interesting to see what they think about it. I’ll try and get a few new pics to share on the blog.

Art will be back on the road by Sunday – looking forward to going home for a little break and relax with my family.

Serge

Canadiens Fans

The Torch Relay is pulling into Montreal today. We’re going to be in the city proper on Thursday night. As a little extra treat, we’re expecting 20 to 25 centimeters of snow. Things could get tricky.

Green Olympic Rings

All the vehicles in the fleet have winter tires – that’s a no brainer. This is the Torch Relay for the Winter Olympics (and we’re in Canada). Most people who live in the cold areas know that winter tires are an investment for reliable transportation, but many do not think about their battery.

Keeping a well-charged battery is essential for cold morning starts. If you ever run it down by accident (maybe you left the lights on), be sure to go to the dealership and get it properly charged. Many people rely on their car to charge the battery, but it’s unreliable and the charge may not hold. A powerful charge from your dealership will ensure smooth starts on those extra cold mornings.

The temperatures we’re facing are pretty chilly, but that is not dampening the spirits of anyone we see on the Torch Relay. They’re as enthusiastic as ever!

You know what part of the country you’re in when you see a Canadiens jersey along the Torch route.

These folks put up wreaths in the shape of the Olympic rings to show their support for the Relay.

Serge

Spraying Down the Vehicles

It was minus nine on our first morning in Quebec. The team was ready to jump in their vehicles and get the show on the road – except the all the doors were frozen shut!

Many Canadians make the same mistake in the winter months. We washed the vehicles the night before and left them outside dripping wet. Not a good idea, especially when you’re on a tight schedule for the next morning.

Frozen Truck

We eventually got the doors open, but now have a solution to prevent it from happening: spray-on silicone lubricant.

You can try this on your car at home if you wash it frequently when the morning temperatures dip into the negatives. Take the spray lubricant, available at any hardware store, and coat your weather stripping (that black lining of rubber on the inside of your doors). It only takes 10 minutes and will save you loads of time the next morning. Don’t forget to give the key locks a spray, too.

Your door should never freeze shut again. It will also prevent your weather stripping from becoming cracked or damaged from yanking open your frozen door.

Got any winter driving tips you’d like to share? Leave a comment below or @reply me @GM_ArtandSerge.

Serge