I'm writing this from the comfort of home on a soft couch- a lack of Wi-fi on Saturday prevented an earlier post. I'm going to start this PMC post with who we riding for. You may have heard me describe the Pan Mass Challenge as an exhilarating but emotional experience. Exhilarating for the riding, but emotional for the cause- finding cures for cancer. Who do we PMC for? For relatives, friends, children, neighbors, and for the loved ones of those who sponsor our ride.
As we are riding over the weekend (and even in day zero), people line the course and simply say, "thank you for riding", or "you are my heroes". During Day 1, I cycled past a teenage girl standing next to her parents I holding a sign that said, "Because of you I am 17". A heart wrenching but uplifting message, and I really wished I had doubled back to meet the young lady and take her photo. But the same opportunity arose at the third sag today (on day 2), when a young boy had this sign:
An example of the punch to your reality that this ride can give, that cancer can strike anyone at any time. Teams of riders can adopt "pedal partners", young children with cancer who the team sponsors, gets to know and, who meet up during a SAG stop in day 1.
How can we help? By raising money, raising awareness and never giving up. I'd like to thank my 112 sponsors who helped me raise over $8000- together we are doing what we can.
So how was the rest of the weekend you ask? It was a glorious weekend of cycling- sunny, with temps in the mid 80's. We started out from Sturbridge at 5:30 am- 5000 riders strong, an amazing site to behold.
I started the day biking with my cycling buddies from day zero, plus my good friend Michael and a friend we made from last year's ride, Veronica from Palo Alto (who amazingly biked cross-country from her home in Palo Alto to link up with last year's PMC- this year she merely flew but she has certainly earned her place in PMC lore).
Day 1 is a long day in the saddle- 110 miles. I always under-estimate the day since Day Zero is a tougher overall day of cycling. It was warm enough to cause leg cramps in a number of less experienced riders and cause a few others to need iv fluids by the end of the day. But for the experienced and conditioned rider, it's a lovely day of cycling that gives your legs a good challenge and makes you feel very glad when you get off the bike in Bourne.
Some people cool off their hard working butts by sitting on ice couches at the SAG stops.
The route is gorgeous, and as you approach Bourne, you get glimpses of marshland and then of Buzzards Bay. We choose to camp in tents at our overnight destination- the Mass Maritime Academy. Camping has its charms after a day in the saddle.
Day 2 is like candy- a "short" 74 mile day along the length of Cape Cod. Cyling this route is such a great way to see this beautiful part of the state.
The thing I look forward to most on Day 2 is "Da Hedge", a long hedge in Brewster with hundreds of screaming spectators. It's legendary and always a blast!
Here are some other fun images of the day:
More cowbell!!
We finished the day in Provincetown, happy to have all arrived safe and sound, and very happy to have experienced this amazing ride- shared with close friends, and thousands of other cyclists, volunteers, and spectators. Thanks to everyone who contributed or just read about this experience. Hope you enjoyed the ride, I certainly did!
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