MY CYCLING JOURNEY by Darryl Abbey: July 2012

Welcome to my cycling blog!

Thanks for visiting this site and for your interest in my cycling journey.

As a teenager and into my mid twentys, I worked in bike shops in the greater Boston area and developed a deep love of riding. When I went into the insurance business, I no longer had the time or drive to continue devoting energy to the sport and, consequently, I let it fall by the wayside for almost 18 years.

Around 1999, driven by a middle-aged need for exercise, I bought a new bike and started riding again: partially for exercise but mostly for pleasure. That lasted about two years and then the bike was back in the garage gathering dust until 2010.

Late in 2009, I learned that a close friend had been diagnosed with cancer and, shortly after that, I learned that his sister-in-law, also a good friend, had also been diagnosed. The fact that my Dad and my Mother-in-law had both been taken by cancer made me think about what I could do to support these friends and the many other folks I know whom I discovered had also been affected by cancer.

I am not good at being a care giver or expressing my concern for folks who are ill. I don't know what to do or say and I feel like I probably make both the person I am supposed to be caring for and me more uncomfortable than if I just left them alone. However, I did discover something I could do: ride my bike and raise funds to fight cancer.

I have become a big fan of the Pan Mass Challenge (a focus of this blog as you will see) and decided to participate in this event for the first time in 2010. This blog will give you an idea of my PMC experiences but, hopefully, will allow me to express my joy at having gotten back into the sport of cycling.

Through my renewed interest in cycling, I have made some great friends, improved my health and improved my outlook on life as well. Oh yeah, and through the PMC, I help fight cancer.

I hope you enjoy.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Getting Ready for PMC Weekend

There are just a couple of weeks before I will climb on my bike to participate in my third Pan Mass Challenge ride to riase money to fight cancer. My training has been, at times, intense, challenging and, almost always, fun.

While there have been days when I did not want to get my gear on and head out on the road but, once I had started pedaling, invariably a smile came to my face and I enjoyed the experience. Most of my training rides are solo but the few times I have been able to ride with friends made the experience even better. We push each other to ride better and harder and usually wind up laughing a lot. What could be better.

I am looking forward to PMC weekend and my 250 mile journey and being able to spend time with a bunch of really great folks as we support an even greater cause.

As I have in the past, I will provide a narrative of my trek for any who are interested. I am glad that I am able to take part in the PMC and also glad that my enjoyment of cycling continues.