So, I really can't complain. It only rained on Sunday, and it was mostly sprinkles while we were riding. There are many other aspects of this year's ride that make it a memorable one. Rather than recount my entire weekend, I'll spare you the details and will hit upon the highlights of my 275-mile trek across Massachusetts.
Western Mass is hilly. Mountainous even. But having done the Day 0 ride last year prepared me for what was to come - 35 miles of climbing before a long 5-mile descent, then dozens of miles to Sturbridge. I took it easy this year and was surprised at how good I felt at the end of the ride. One of the unexpected elements of Day 0 was that I saw much of the destruction from the June tornado that hit Western Mass. We rode on Route 20 in Brimfield, which parallels the route that the tornado took. The felled trees and boarded-up homes were a reminder of nature's brute force and how in many ways we are powerless against it. Thankfully, because of the hard work of doctors and researchers (which is funded by PMC donors), we are waging a fight and cancer and are winning on several fronts. Here's a video of some of the highlights of Day 0.
Day 1, as always, was filled with inspiring moments. Lance Armstrong joined the other 5,300 riders this year as yet another "Living Proof" rider, those that have fought cancer. Sure, he's inspirational, even heroic. But he's not the cancer fighter that inspired me that day. The woman in the photo with him - I don't even know her name or her story - but she played a huge part in my Day 1 ride. Based on her appearance, I'm guessing she is in the middle of her cancer treatment - the fact that she was even out there on her bike was inspiring. But as we rode those first few miles from the Sturbridge start line, we began to climb. As the hill started to get steep, one of her riding companions gently put his hand on her back and helped her ascend the hill. It was a touching moment that reflects our larger effort. All of us, those directly and indirectly affected by cancer, work together to make a difference in the lives of those fighting the disease. This moment provided me the inspiration to power up that hill. I saw this woman several times throughout the weekend, and her smile was always as bright as you see in this photo.
I awoke on Day 2 to rain. Damn, my first wet PMC in 8 years, but the ride goes on. Luckily it only sprinkled throughout the day on the Cape. The photo to the right was a particularly special moment of this wet day. My fellow rider and friend Andy Seguin battled and defeated cancer 15 years ago, but it's back. He's currently undergoing chemotherapy in Baltimore, where he now lives, and was up on the Cape to visit his teammates and take part in the PMC as a spectator. He was positioned less than a mile before the first water stop of Day 2. I stopped to visit and we shared a big hug and reminisced about past PMCs where we've ridden together for part of the ride. Seeing Andy provided me the inspiration to powerfully climb the hills in Truro and the dunes in Provincetown. Andy, thanks for making my Day 2 so special!Now five days after the ride, my leg muscles have stopped hurting and I am back to my regular life. But that doesn't mean the fight against cancer is over! There are two ways you can contribute to the fight against cancer. First and foremost, make a donation! I am just $1,000 from reaching my fundraising goal, and every gift helps. Visit my fundraising page to make your donation today. Also, I and several other riders are holding a fundraising event at Flatbread Company in Davis Square on Tuesday, August 23. Join us, eat pizza, bowl, buy goodies and raffle tickets, and have a grand old time! Hope to see you there!
As always, thanks so much for your support. I wouldn't be able to do this without you!
