Looking Back at 2012

I love the video below capturing the emotions and commitment that define the PMC -- from the kids receiving care at Dana Farber, underscoring why we ride; to the research that goes into treatment and cures; to the fundraising and training each rider tackles in preparation for the ride... and then of course highlights from the ride itself. My favorite glimpse in the video is of the small child giving a double high-five to Dr. Benz. Fully awesome.

PMC 2013... Committed

I love the video above capturing the emotions and commitment that define the PMC -- from the kids receiving care at Dana Farber, underscoring why we ride; to the research that goes into treatment and cures; to the fundraising and training each rider tackles in preparation for the ride... and then of course highlights from the ride itself. My favorite glimpse in the video is of the small child giving a double high-five to Dr. Benz. Fully awesome.

We like big checks!

Photo of Will taken by a PMC photographer at last weekend's check presentation. If you ever thought your donation was small, think again. Every rider-raised dollar went into that check for $37,000,000 -- Thirty-seven million dollars (!) -- and every single one of our sponsors was a part of that. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you, again, for your support! We couldn't have done it without you!

Hello, PMC Riders

At the PMC Check presentation last weekend, a stranger looked at my name tag and asked me how I've been doing since the crash. I was a little perplexed until she mentioned she reads my blog! I know many people come to this site by way of the PMC, or Google, or the North Shore Cyclopaths blog, (which I also write.) Many of you are fundraising and training for the PMC.

My training is probably on par with so many other PMC riders. I'm not obsessed with miles or stats or the latest gear. I hate gels and bars and goop, (though loved Stinger waffles). Until recently I wasn't interested in the Tuesday Night Crit... until Ethan mentioned it. I kinda suck at pacelines. My weight has gone up and down and up again, (currently it's down) -- along with my hematocrit (which is currently up!) I've had good PMC rides and bad PMC rides -- from the 191 mile ride down to the virtual ride. I've also had emotional rides following the deaths of dearest friends. (The PMC is very personal to me.) Through it all, I've met some amazing people and have received incredible support from so many of you. I'm happy to know there are people out there reading this and following my training, (we PMC riders share a special bond), but know that the fundraising mission comes first for me -- and the cycling second. There will always be room for improvement as far as my training goes and I don't take it too seriously. (I am a North Shore Cyclopath, after all.) If you see me out there on the road, feel free to introduce yourself! I love meeting new people and I thank you for reading!

One Ride, Thirty-Seven Million Dollars

Will enjoyed his first PMC check presentation yesterday at Legal Harborside, where PMC founder Billy Starr, (at right in photo with Will), presented a check to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for $37 million dollars -- a staggering amount of money raised for a single athletic event. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have supported us this year and in the past. We are truly grateful for your generosity.

Ummmm... I just want to say...

...that YES, technically Will beat me to the finish on PMC weekend.

Whenever someone asks, "How was the PMC?" the first thing that pops out of his mouth is "I beat my mom." Arrrrgghhhhh!!!!!!! Can I just remind you all that I rode with a broken hand?! And I was off my bike for a month before the PMC with a concussion and a cast? And I rode every one of those miles in a splint? Grumble... grumble...

Next year, NO MERCY ON THE KID. He is TOAST!!

PMC 2012 Wrap-up

PMC 2012 was one to remember. The heat was brutal -- hitting near 90 degrees -- with the humidity making it worse. Fortunately, getting an early start in the morning meant a nice ride to Foxboro down shady back roads. Will got out in front and led for much of the way. We rode with Drew and Arlene for the better part of the morning, riding a very quick pace down to Gillette Stadium. We left Wellesley at 7:40 and arrived in Foxboro a few minutes after 9:00. Grandparents Nancy and Fred were waiting for us at the water stop, and we took a long break before heading back out on the road.

I led for the first 7 miles on the return to Wellesley, with Will taking the lead on a few small hills. He then got ahead of me on one of the larger hills and began drafting off a peloton of riders on the Dunkin Donuts team! He was gone in a shot! About 5 miles later, I found him on the side of the road waiting for me, claiming he'd been waiting for 8 minutes. (Ha! So precise!) A few miles later, he dropped me again!! I was slowing down on the hills, at this point riding one handed, while he was still flying ahead. I didn't bother trying to keep up with him and just let him go. ;-)

I got off the bike to take a break after my third long climb. A nice gentleman had a "granny stop" set up near the top of the hill, with umbrellas, chairs, and coolers of water and gatorade. He had a large banner and poster thanking the PMC riders for riding. I, along with several other riders, stopped to chat. He told us his wife went through treatment at Dana Farber and together they'd cheer on the riders, from that very spot, before she passed away. It was very touching. I accepted a water and talked to him for a bit before heading out.

When I caught up to Will just five miles from the finish, he yelled, "Where have you been! I've been waiting for 20 minutes!". Ahhh... youth. Always in a hurry!

We rode the last five miles together and found Mike and Chip waiting at the finish. Yayyyy!! It was great to see them. We got in a half hour earlier than we expected, even though Will could have finished even earlier than that. Something he's not letting me forget.

It was a great ride. The heat, humidity and hills... I could have done without. Will, however, was unfazed and is now hooked on the PMC. He was ready to go out and ride another 50. Heading home in the car, he had an enormous smile on his face as he looked over his jersey. He said he wanted to collect another 20. It was an amazing experience for him and I suspect he'll be riding for many more years. Leaving Wellesley, he was talking a mile a minute on the drive, reliving different aspects of the ride, talking about the riders he met and his feeling of accomplishment. As we hit the highway I noticed he was suddenly silent. I glanced over and he was dead asleep in the car. :) -- The exact same way he'd fall asleep in the car when he was three years old. (The more things change, the more they remain the same.)

Cyclopaths at Gillette Stadium

Post PMC Wrap Up

Coming soon! We're taking a little rest.

PMC Press

A few PMC stories have been in the local papers and online. The Swampscott Patch has a story online about Will riding his first PMC here: Swampscott 8th Grader Training for Pan Mass Challenge.

Another story, submitted by the PMC, can be found here Swampscott Cyclists Ready to Pedal the Pan Mass Challenge.

The Swampscott Reporter has an article including many of the riders from Swampscott. The print version of the story varies from the online version. PMC: Swampscott Riders chime in on Fundraising, How Many Rides; Part 2 can be found here: PMC: More from Swampscott Riders on Training, Favorite Spots

Go Team North Shore Cyclopaths!!

Good luck to Team North Shore Cyclopaths in this weekend's PMC! We have 22 Cyclopaths and friends on this year's team, including riders and volunteers -- Arlene Agree, Jeff Brand, Harriet Brand, Sheldon Brown, Lynda Beaulieu, Bill Cantor, Brian Carver, Tammy Cronin, Will Cronin, Donna Cohen, Ethan Forman, Cindy Hecht, Geoffrey Hecht, Ann Kelleher, Michael Kelleher III, "Sir" Michael Kelleher Jr., Mike Meehan, Drew Nelson, Ed Parish, Brenda White, Ben Yellin, and Marcy Yellin. Everyone have a fun, safe ride and remember the hills are smaller than they look!

Just a few days to go...

We've been getting out a few times this week for small miles -- 25, 15, and a few quick loops. Trying to stay limber but not overdoing it. Will and Chip have been sailing this week, which cuts out riding with Ethan, so I've been doing the miles with Will in the afternoon. (We also joined Sheldon and Donna for a ride yesterday morning.) I know I'm now second fiddle to Ethan, but that's o.k. My ego can handle it. ;-) The PMC is coming up fast!

The Countdown is on... One Week to Go!

Looking Good

It's pretty awesome having a doctor for a neighbor. Yesterday, Dr. Barker took an x-ray of my hand and all looks good! No displacement. It still hurts like a bugger when I put any weight on it, but it should be o.k. for the PMC.... and yes, perhaps riding a PMC is asking for a lot, but we have a plan! Dr. Barker fashioned a fiberglass cast/splint formed in the hand position I'll be riding in for the PMC! It fits under a hard brace and will give me more support for the ride!

Marblehead Cycle is adding a gel padding under my bar tape to absorb some of the road vibration. Unfortunately, I needed crash repairs, a new set of tires, tubes and a brake tune-up, too. (Crash=Cash, ca-ching, ca-ching...) I hope to be back on the bike with my new riding cast this week! (Just waiting to get the call that my bike is ready.)

It's been HOT!

The heat wave didn't slow Will down this week as he still managed to get in a few rides with Cyclopaths Ethan and Sheldon. He had a terrific time at the Patrick Chung Football Academy last week, where they had three-a-day practices and scrimmages.The kid is in shape but really needs to spend a little more time on the bike to get in more miles. I wish I could spend that time with him, but he's doing great taking charge of his own training and arranging rides with other cyclists. I'm proud of him! Right now I'm working out at the Y on the recumbent bike and plan to switch to the spin bikes this weekend. Hard to believe it's been nearly three weeks since the crash! It feels so much longer.

Monday Morning Ride - Ethan and Will

Will's First PMC Kids Ride, 2004. (Time to move up to the big time, kid!)