MY CYCLING JOURNEY by Darryl Abbey: January 2014

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.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Closure and New Beginnings

2013 was an unusual year for many reasons. There were many challenges to be faced both for me personally and for society in general. The anxiety and insecurity created by the marathon bombings was a big challenge here in Boston but the resolve to push beyond those emotions was uplifting. Watching friends face their own individual challenges was tough, especially when there was nothing I could do to help. Some have gotten a reprieve for at least a short time while others continue to be pushed to their limits. I wish I could help.

Personally, I am glad to have put my physical (and related emotional) challenges behind me and be back to doing something that I truly enjoy, riding. A new bike, a renewed commitment and lots of support from family and friends has helped me to get back in good shape, lose some weight and feel confident on the bike once more. Highlights of the Fall included rides to support Neurofibromatosis and Cystic Fibrosis and, a special treat, a trip to Lehigh Valley with good friends to do some serious cycling in November which really put me in good spirits. Long rides in challenging terrain were fun and sprinting around a track at official velodrome was a dream come true.

2013 started as a tough year but ended on an upbeat note. Cross training with running (ugh) to augment my cycling has really helped with the cardio. Fulfilling a personal pledges to ride outside at least once each month year round and running my first 10k have set me up well for this new year.

I started the year off right by doing a ride with my favorite group of cycling cohorts from the south shore with a New Year's Day ride in 26 degree temperature. It was a cold ride but a couple of recovery beverages afterword and time with wonderful people made it work the trek.

I have also renewed my commitment to the Pan Mass Challenge and signed up for the Sturbridge to Provincetown route again this year. I do not know yet whether I will try to more than the planned 200 miles but the need is as great as ever so, who knows.

What I do know is that I will try. Try to do my best, try to be better, faster, stronger than have been. To set challenging expectations for myself and to exceed them if I can. The motivation is strong but, as I have learned, I will take it one day at a time.

One mile at a time.