New Challenges, Updates

Sometimes things don't work out like you planned... but they open the doors to other opportunities.

In January, I made the tough decision not to ride this year's PMC. Our family connection to cancer has been devastating -- with the loss of close family members and friends -- and I've been proud of my long involvement with the PMC, and grateful for the support I've received. What started as a grass-roots charity ride has grown into a phenomena, with over 10,000 people riding or volunteering during the course of the weekend, and corporate sponsorships building it into one of the most successful fundraisers in the country. This year, without a doubt, the PMC will meet it's $40 million weekend goal, and I'm so proud of the riders and volunteers who will make it happen.

SMALLER CHALLENGES IN 2014
Last year, the Undefeated EOD Ride raised $320,000 for our wounded EOD warriors, and it was a BIG DEAL. (Just a drop in the bucket by PMC standards -- but so immensely important to our wounded veteran's and families in need of support.) It made me think about the smaller charities who are overshadowed by the big guys, (the Pan Mass Challenge).

As January rolled around, and ride commitments were being made, I planned to join the Undefeated EOD Ride one more time for our wounded service members. That ride, and the friends I made, grabbed a piece of my heart that will always be theirs. We've stayed in touch since last Fall and made plans to ride together in October, but fate has altered the plan a little. Deployments and active duty assignments have pushed this year's ride to 2015, so tackling Torrey Pines together will have to wait another year.

With the Undefeated EOD Ride postponed, I considered riding the PMC, but really want to shift my focus to the little rides -- The charity events that don't receive as much media attention and find support harder to find. (The Harpoon Point to Point and Ride for Angels will be two of them.)

BACK TO CALIFORNIA

I'll also be heading back to California in September -- this time for the Canary Challenge, which raises money for cancer research at The Canary Center at Stanford, (the same way the PMC does for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.)  My VanderkittenVIP teammates will ride the challenge together, with several of the Vanderkitten Pro riders leading the way. (Vanderkitten is committed to the Canary Foundation's mission and will be a strong presence at this year's event.) I'm so excited to be joining them and will post more info about the ride this summer.

I know from the EOD Ride that those California hills can be tough -- So I have some training to do -- and with RAAM keeping me off the bike for much of June, Shayne will have his work cut out for him in creating a training plan that will help me tackle Kings Mountain Road with the pros.

Summer can't come soon enough!

Post-PMC Fun

Will, feeling confident at 4:30 am

Pan Mass Challenge 2013 is in the books. I can say that this year's ride was pretty solid, and made up for last year's sorry state of affairs. It was only my second time riding the Sunday route with Will, and there were a few moments during the weekend that I missed riding the original 2 day ride, but I wouldn't trade Sunday's ride for any of my previous PMCs. Will and I certainly have our moments... and the argument we had just ten minutes from the finish that left our fellow Cyclopaths snickering as they took off like a shot... that was just classic. The pace was too fast for him -- and had been all day -- and I knew it and didn't let up. Because you all know the kid didn't cut me any slack last year as I rode that PMC with my hand in a cast! Ha, ha, ha... no mercy, right?

So one more photo of Will... in his skirt... because I just can't get enough of reliving that moment. Love this kid.

PMC 2013. Best one yet.

Seriously, crazy-fun day

PMC 2013 had a few hiccups. The very minute I hit the highway as we headed down to the Wellesley start, I realized I left my cycling shoes and helmet back home! Argh. (We had to turn around and drive back to Swampscott, adding 40 minutes to the trip.) Not a good way to start the morning!

We arrived in Wellesley with just 15 minutes to spare. Will and I quickly rushed straight to the registration table to get him checked in, (I pre-registered on Friday), and could hear my phone chirping with text messages from Cyclopaths wondering where we were. After Will was checked in, we located the team and snapped a picture or two before the start of the National Anthem. We sure cut it close!

Looking over at Will, Sheldon, Donna and Brenda, I was so excited for them... the countdown was ready to begin... and then I realized, I didn't have my helmet! OMG. Where was it? I quickly ran over to to the sidelines to our fellow teammates who came down to wish us off, but my helmet wasn't there, either. I figured I must have left my helmet in the car -- in the parking lot 10 minutes away! Damn!

Drew grabbed my bike out of the sea of cyclists, and she and Will pulled over to the side while I ran to the car to find my helmet.

Meanwhile, the two of them realized that the announcements broadcast twice over the loud speaker -- "We have someone's helmet and chocolate muffins" -- which we had all laughed at -- had to be MY helmet. Ha ha ha... Drew, Will and I found it on a table with 2 paleo pumpkin muffins inside. (OMG! That's right! My ride fuel! I forgot I had them!)

Ha ha ha... those announcements were about ME. They will never let me live this one down. (Chocolate muffins... ha ha ha...)

Will and I scrambled to catch up with the mass of PMC riders who had a 15 minute head start on us. Not a problem.

It was a crazy, crazy start... but just the beginning of the adventure. (More later.)

Pan Mass Challenge Week

Wow. So hard to believe that the Pan Mass Challenge is next weekend! We have a much smaller North Shore Cyclopaths team this year -- as the fundraising minimum has pushed many of our riders out -- but seventeen Cyclopaths (riders and volunteers) will be participating, including Jeff Brand, Sheldon Brown, Bill Cantor, Brian Carver, Dan Carver, Ethan Forman, Arthur Freedman, Ed Parish, Donna Cohen, Will Cronin, ME (of course), Michael Kelleher., Ann Kelleher, Mike Kelleher Jr., Mike Meehan, Drew Nelson, and Brenda White. (Bill C. is participating in his 30th PMC, turning 90 on August 11th. Amazing!)

This year's challenge sort of snuck up on me as I've been focusing on the (longer) Undefeated/EOD Ride -- but I'm more than ready for it. Will has been training at the gym more than on the bike, but isn't worried. We're both very excited for the weekend and so tremendously grateful to our sponsors for making it possible for us to ride. THANK YOU! for supporting The Jimmy Fund and the PMC! Just 5 more days...

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Hot temps and high humidity. Nothing new for July.

Well, we have a steamy week ahead, with temperatures in the 90's and oppressive humidity. Looks like I'll have to rise and shine on the early side this week to get my rides in and beat the heat.

Will is definitely not onboard with waking early. This year, he's taken control of his own Pan Mass Challenge training, and has been relying on swimming, rugby and football conditioning camp to get in shape for the ride. Ha, ha... (I believe it takes more than strength training to ride well, but he has his own ideas.) He's spent less time on the bike this year, but more time in the gym, and has been bragging about his run times at football camp -- like a 50 yard dash is the same as a 50 mile ride. Uh huh. I love his confidence, but with three weeks to go before PMC weekend, I know I'm finishing stronger (and first) this year. No mercy.

10+ Years with the Pan Mass Challenge

I received a letter in the mail last week, acknowledging 10+ years with the Pan Mass Challenge. It's a nice gesture. Several of my Cyclopath teammates have ridden 20+ years and two are 30+! I'm so proud of them. I know how hard it is to make that commitment and fundraise year after year, and I doubt I'll hit that 20 year mark myself. I fear the slow economy and rising fundraising minimums will likely push me out at some point... but we'll take it year to year. Thank you for supporting us for as long as you have!

I need to get started on my fundraising this week. I finished our newsletter last month but wasn't really ready to send it out. I wanted Will to add something, too, but he was swamped with school work and then had his trip... He promises to finish something in the next day or so.

Thank you to all who have made a donation already -- Anne Cotellessa and Nancy & Fred Cronin, and Linda & Owen Clements on our PMC ride; Linda & Owen Clements, Ed Parish, Deb Claffey, and Margie Detkin to the Undefeated EOD Ride. (Chip, too, for donating some of his earnings from Lego Club.) It means so much to us to have your support. Thank you!

Pan Mass Challenge 2013

Will and I are both now registered for this year's PMC (along with a few North Shore Cyclopaths.) With new snow on the ground (which fell overnight), and a Nor'easter expected on Friday, it's nice to think ahead to summer!

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.

Cyclopaths at Gillette Stadium

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!

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

One Challenge. New Goal: $36,000,000

Great video. It was made a few years ago, but sums up the PMC -- the challenge, the goal, and the camaraderie -- quite nicely. I'm sure I caught a glimpse of one of our Cyclopaths in this video as well. (Click off the "ads by google" to see the full screen.)

2012 Events - Registered!

The easy winter has me thinking of Spring and getting a jump start on this year's cycling season. Will is now officially registered for his first Pan Mass Challenge! (His fundraising page can be found here). We've registered to ride 2 charity events together this year -- the Tour de Cure in May (32.5 miles) and the PMC in August. I also plan to ride the Harpoon Point to Point and Sea Glass Ride, (without Will) for four rides total.

I have a lot of goals to meet this year. My blood counts have been wonky and the latest diagnosis is that I have Acquired Hemolytic Anemia, (probably due to a damaged spleen, and likely related to the bone marrow infection I had 2 years ago.) My red cell counts can take a dive -- resulting in overwhelming fatigue -- but it's not something that's going to beat me. My hematologist has suggested that I "find a new normal". I'm working on it. ("Never Surrender, never give up." Right?)

As our training gets underway, I hope to update the blog more often. It will be an interesting year...

Pan Mass Challenge 2011

Congratulations to all riders and volunteers participating in this year's Pan Mass Challenge! It was a memorable PMC for many reasons -- the celebrations, the celebrity (Lance Armstrong & David Ortiz!), the camaraderie among the riders and volunteers, and of course THE RAIN. (Wow!) Our PMC weekend will also be remembered for the emotions we all shared. We all missed Sam's commanding presence at this year's PMC -- and seeing his photo hanging at Babson College was very touching. (Thank you, Donna!) Photos from the ride can be posted to our online album at Shutterfly. Send me an email if you have trouble. Congrats to all!

Soaked at the Sharon Waterstop

Absolutely soaking wet -- the rain never let up. PMC 2011 will be remembered for the walls of water, enormous puddles, and cold rain. We were soaked to the bone.

It took my shoes three days to dry out and I'm STILL cleaning the dirt our of my chain and gears. Poor bike.

PMC 2011 is in the books!

Computer issues have prevented me from posting pictures from last weekend's PMC online. Hopefully, I will resolve that shortly. To briefly recap the weekend; On Saturday, August 6th, I spent my birthday at the PMC start and finish in Wellesley and Bourne, cheering on my Cyclopath teammates as they took part in the ride. Most of the Cyclopaths (including myself) were riding on Sunday -- but a few were finishing in Bourne on Saturday. Donna was taking part in her 20th ride! It was nice to be in Bourne to support her. Others finishing in Bourne on Saturday were Brian, Ben, Brenda and Jeff, with Ethan Lynda, Michael and Ed volunteering. It was a great day for a ride!

Unfortunately, Sunday wasn't a great day for riding. Sheldon and I drove to the Wellesley start together in the rain, reassuring each other that the "rain would pass". Such optimists we are! We met our teammates at the start, gathering under the tent as the rain continued. It was Bill Cantors 28th ride at 88 years old! Amazing! At 7:30 am, we hit the road, the rain falling steadily and never abating. The riding was difficult and the rain at times torrential -- but we forged on, determined not to let the weather get to us. It was a memorable ride! Regrouping at the end of the ride, we watched walls of water pour off the tent. It was quite comical. Definitely a bonding moment for all of us who rode on Sunday -- Arlene, Gail, Av, Bill, Arthur, Sheldon, and me -- with Donna, Drew and Laurie as support. (Ethan and Arthur F. rode up from Bourne, but we never connected.) PMC 2011 was one for the ages. Photos to come!