Friday
As has happened in prior years, my training for the 2017 Pan
Mass Challenge bike ride was all over the place. Over the winter, I attended indoor
cycle training classes (Computrainer for those who know what that is) in an
attempt to keep my fitness level in a somewhat steady state. That worked well
but, in late January, my travel schedule for work escalated and suddenly I was
on the road almost constantly for the next four months. Although I frequently
packed work out gear in my suitcase for the many trips I took, the sneakers,
shorts and t-shirts inevitably stayed right where I had packed them. The lack
of exercise and many, many restaurant meals took their toll and, by mid-May, it
was as if I had taken a whole year off from training. So, it was time to start
from scratch and get out on the bike as much as possible. At first the rides
were short and slow but, within a few weeks, I felt like I was coming back. My
initial goal was to ride at least 100 miles per week and I found it relatively
easy to achieve that goal. As my training continued, I started to feel back in
shape. The rides became longer and I added hill climbs and speed work in
addition to the long rides and, by mid-July, I felt like I could do the PMC.
I have ridden the PMC with the same team for the past five
years. The members of Team Five and Dime (Velominati rules 5 & 10 for those
who know the rules) are great friends as well as great riders and I always look
forward to time on the road with them. This year, we were fortunate to add a
new team member, Jessica Madsen. Each year, the team dedicates our ride to a
PMC “Pedal Partner”, a child who has fought or is fighting cancer. This year
and last year, our pedal partner has been Addy Madsen, a delightful young girl
who has fought cancer for almost her whole life. She has a bright smile, a
sparkling personality and inspires our team whenever we see her. After the PMC
in 2016, Addy’s mom, Jessica Madsen decided that she would ride the PMC in 2017
and joined our little team. She bought a bike and trained hard in Maine where
she, Addy and the rest of her family live and committed to riding the full two
day Sturbridge to Provincetown route. Not an easy feat for someone who hadn’t
been on a bike in years. Earlier in the spring, I had offered to Jess that, if
she would come down to Massachusetts, we would ride the first portion of the
PMC day one route starting in Sturbridge. The first forty miles of this route
contain most of the significant hills and, prior to the first year I did the
Sturbridge to Provincetown route, I had done this trial run so that I would
know what I was in for. Jess agreed to this plan and, on a hot, airless
Wednesday, Gail dropped us off in Sturbridge and we set off. It was a long hot,
hilly ride but I told Jess that, if she could do it under those conditions, she
would be just fine on PMC weekend. I was right.
The week before PMC weekend on August fifth and sixth, I
dialed back the rides as I have done in past years. Despite the usual anxiety I
encounter just before the event, I know I was reasonably prepared both mentally
and physically. The fundraising was going extremely well (thanks to all who
donated and, to those who haven’t, there is still time) and everything seemed
to be under control. I had experienced no accidents nor suffered any injuries
during training. In fact, I had had only one flat tire during the entire
season. My friend and coach Scott had given the Colnago a tune-up and both
bicycle and rider were ready for the big weekend.
The day before the ride, all participants pick up
registration packets at the location from which they will start. I went to
Sturbridge, checked in and picked up my ride “bib” which is the ID card which
goes on the bike as well as an official PMC cycling jersey and other things I
would need for the ride. I met up with the rest of my team members who were
starting from Sturbridge (some team members elect to start from Wellesley) and
we enjoyed conversation and comradery with the thousands of other riders who
start from Sturbridge and perhaps a beer or two was consumed as well. It is
important to carb-load before an endurance event.
The opening ceremonies for PMC are
a big deal. The founder, Billy Starr, hosts the event which is held in
Sturbridge and is broadcast live over the local CBS affiliate in Boston. Two of
the news anchors at the station ride in the PMC so David Wade and Lisa Hughes
were there helping Billy with the MC duties. Since Jess was not only a first
time rider but also the mother of a pedal partner, Addy, who had been featured
in the previous year’s opening ceremonies, PMC staff gave us four front row
seats at the opening ceremonies so Jess, myself, Neil (team captain) and Tony
(founding member) all enjoyed the music, testimonials, speeches and videos that
make the ceremonies the adrenaline fueling event that it always is. Jess was
even recognized by Billy as part of the event and we had a great time.
Me, Jess,
Neil and Tony with Billy Starr at the Opening Ceremonies
After the ceremonies had concluded, Jess and I headed back
to Holliston where we would spend the night at my house. Most team members
elect to stay at a hotel in the Sturbridge area so they can get a little extra
sleep but I have always preferred to spend the night before PMC weekend in my
own bed. Not that I really get much sleep but it seems to me to be better than
sleeping in a room with a bunch of snoring cyclists. Fortunately, Gail always
agrees to drive me to Sturbridge at four o’clock on Saturday morning and this
year she agreed to transport Jess and me so that we could meet the team and be
ready for the 5:30am start.
During that final week, I watched the weather forecast for
Saturday deteriorate with growing trepidation. The likelihood of precipitation
kept increasing each day but, at the opening ceremonies on Friday night, the
local CBS weatherman announced that he thought that the storms would stay north
of us and our ride would be clear on Saturday and Sunday. Boy did he get it
wrong.
Saturday
I rose at 3:00 Saturday morning. I had been awake off and on
most of the night as I was very concerned about sleeping through my alarm. I
had been wide awake since 2:30am. I got up and got my cycling kit on and went
to the kitchen for coffee and to eat something before we headed out to Sturbridge.
I am not a breakfast person. I usually need to be awake for a few hours before
I am ready for food but, on Friday night, Gail had made a coffee cake with
fresh blueberries which looked delicious. It was!! I had a couple of pieces
along with some fruit and a lot of coffee. Jess had gotten up shortly after I
did and Gail made sure that we had plenty to eat and drink before we piled into
the car for the forty five minute journey from our house to Sturbridge.
The Sturbridge Team Five and Dime on
Saturday morning.
Our jerseys are a Hawaiian theme for Addy and we have
hula
girls attached to the top of our helmets.
There are approximately 2,800 riders who start in Sturbridge
and, with that kind of volume, it takes a while to cross the starting line and
actually be able to start pedaling. It took us almost 15 minutes to cross the
line and get on our bikes and under way. Finally we began in earnest.
As I have stated in previous PMC narratives, the first five
miles of PMC day one are a good warm-up. It is mostly flat but there are a few
relatively easy climbs that get the muscles used to working. It is also a good
time to get used to riding with a crowd. Most of my riding is done solo or with
one or two others so it was good for me to get back into the mode of pack or
peloton riding where you need to be hyper aware of, not only what I am doing as
a rider, but also aware of what everyone around me is doing or could do. One
short lapse in attention can lead to a fall or worse. By the time we started on
Saturday, the roads were wet which adds an additional element of concern.
Asphalt can get slippery when wet and the yellow and white lines painted on the
road get very slick. I spent those first miles monitoring my pace (slow due to
the crowd and the weather) and watching out for any potential threats from
other riders.
At right around mile six, there is the first real climb of
the day. We climbed up a short hill, made a hard right turn and then started
our ascent. The elevation grade is low at first but increases for the duration
of the climb that lasts just over a mile. This climb serves to thin out the
pack as many riders settle in to their lower or easier gears and spin their way
to the top. I was glad that my legs had warmed up over the first few miles and
I found this climb relatively easy. By the time I reached the apex, any
lingering doubts about whether or not I was up to the task of my 8th
PMC were vanquished and I settled into a more aggressive pace as we cranked
along the beautiful countryside of eastern Massachusetts. The towns of
Charleton, Oxford and Sutton passed beneath our wheels and, though fewer than
in previous, more sunny years, there were a number of folks by the side of the
road cheering us on. The rain made our focus on the road and the ride more
acute but the sound of cowbells and the cheers of families and thanks from
survivors brought a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. I was very proud
to think that the dollars that you contribute and the effort I put forth help
to keep some of these valiant people alive.
I rolled into the first water stop in Whitensville feeling
strong but hungry. It was time to get some fuel before heading back out onto
the road for the next leg.
After connecting with the team and getting some food (first
fluffernutter of the day!) we rolled out of Whitensville for the short 15 mile
stretch before the second stop. The weather had improved a bit, from rain and
drizzle to just overcast sky, so the riding was easier and I could wear my
glasses again. This portion of the route is mostly flat but there are a couple
of challenging hills mid-way through in Mendon. I remembered these climbs from
previous years and was prepared for them. Once again, the pack thinned out and
I was able to get up the hills with no problem. After Mendon, it was nice easy
rolling terrain through the back roads of Bellingham and into Franklin. The day
was shaping up to be a good ride for me and I was enjoying the temperature, the
groups of well-wishers by the side of the road and my fantastic bike. I kept
thinking to myself “What a great day to fight cancer”. We got to the water stop
in Franklin and re-grouped for a quick bite and a photo opportunity.
Franklin Water Stop
I have to
say a huge thanks to the volunteers at the Franklin water stop and all the PMC volunteers. They make
sandwiches, fill water bottles, stand by the side of the road and direct us and
always with a smile and a “Thank you for riding”. It doesn’t seem to matter if it is 90 degrees
and humid or 65 degrees and raining, these wonderful volunteers are there to
support us, wish us well, make us smile in the face of adversity and help
motivate us to do what we set out to do. These selfless volunteers are the
unsung heroes of the weekend.
After
eating, getting bottles filled and posing for photos in our Super Hero Addy
garb, we rolled out of Franklin in good spirits. We all knew that we would soon
be on Cherry St. in Wrentham which is a hallmark of the event and a great time
to see friends, supporters, musicians, cow-bell ringers and to get a boost to
push us on to lunch in Rehoboth.
That portion
of the ride was dry and easy and we stopped to regroup at the mouth of Cherry
St. As I have mentioned in the past, Cherry Street in Wrentham, MA is special
because, each year on PMC weekend the residents all come together to wish the
riders well and support the cause. This is, in part, because more than 75
percent of the families living on Cherry St. have been affected by cancer. They
go all out and dress in costumes, bring in bands to play for us and stand by
the roadside to cheer us on. This year was no exception. There was a steel drum
band, an octogenarian in an Uncle Sam costume, a drum and bagpipe band, and
countless families and friends by the side of the road cheering us on and
expressing their support and gratitude. Gail, Meg and Alan were there and our
clan of Super Hero Addy riders stopped to say “Hi” and enjoy the moment. It was
a great stop but little did we know what would await shortly after we left that
joyous street and our ardent supporters.
Within about
two miles after we left the festivities and support of Cherry St., the skies
opened up and it rained. Not just a light sprinkle or drizzle as we had
encountered earlier that morning, this was a full on rain storm. The roads were
wet and slick and caution was the watchword. I put my glasses in the back
pocket of my jersey and rode along with an extremely heightened sense of
awareness due to the deteriorated road conditions, the fact that I was riding
with a huge number of people that I was confident had never ridden in wet
conditions before and knowing that my sight was diminished by about 30 percent
because I could not ride with my glasses on.
These
conditions continued for the next twenty plus miles through country that would have
otherwise been delightful but the main focus points on the day were the road
conditions, the other riders and our own safety. We rolled into the lunch stop
soaked, tired and hungry. We knew that only one of those conditions was likely
to be remedied very soon.
The riders
who launch from Wellesley join the Sturbridge riders on the route just before
the lunch stop at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School. Needless to say there
are suddenly forty percent more riders than we had seen at the Sturbridge start
but we were also able to connect with the rest of our teammates. When we arrived
at the crowded tent that held the food, drinks and riders we knew that we were
almost seventy miles into our first day goal of 110 miles. We were chilly and drenched
but our spirits were high. We gathered with our friends and team mates and it
was great to be all together at one location, compare stories and fuel our
bodies with food and our souls with friendship and camaraderie. An added bonus
was that Jess’ husband David was there with Addy and her sister Casidhe so that
we were all able to see them and enjoy Addy’s enthusiasm and energy. It was
just what we needed before we headed out to the next stop in Lakeville.
The water
stop in Lakeville is home to the Pedal Partner tent: a gathering spot for
cycling teams, their pedal partners and families. At the tent, groups gather
for photos and so that the teams can show their support for these brave
children and their families. Several of the families of our team members also
were there so we had a pretty large crowd for Addy and all the Madsens. The
weather cleared a bit and there was even some sun peeking through the clouds.
Even though we had just seen Addy, Casidhe and Dave fifteen miles earlier, we
laughed and enjoyed their company as if we had not seen them in years. Then it was time
for a group photo with all the riders and Addy.
We left the Lakeville stop smiling and somewhat dryer
knowing that we had only about twenty five miles left to go. There is one more
water stop in Ware but we always forego that one in favor of our own
traditional “water” stop at a little pub called the Narrows right on the water
in Onset, MA. We rolled into the parking lot which had many bicycles already
parked outside the bar and went inside for a well- deserved Guinness (also
known as a post ride malt recovery beverage). Our team mates arrived in waves
and soon we were all there for a brief rest and a beer before remounting our
bikes for the last eight miles to Bourne and the day one finish at Mass
Maritime Academy.
My friend George and I decided silently that this would be a
good time to pick up the pace, the first chance we had to do so all day and we
cranked along averaging almost 20mph. It felt good to really put our muscles to
use and the final few miles clicked by rapidly. Before long, we rolled into MMA
and there was Gail waiting for me as she has done for all eight years of my PMC
participation. She was a sight for sore eyes and shortly after arriving she
whisked me off to the inn we had booked for the night for a shower and then to
our favorite restaurant for a wonderful dinner. Finally, at about 9pm, it was
lights out for us both as we knew that Sunday would be another early day.
Launch time on Sunday was, once again, 5:30am which meant leaving the inn at
approximately 4:30 and I needed some rest before then.
Sunday
Gail drove me back to Mass Maritime Academy on Sunday
morning and dropped me off there just as light was beginning to creep over the
eastern horizon. There were many riders already heading out at 5:00am and the
roads were already crowded with cyclists and a few cars trying to make their
way through the throng of bikes.
I connected with the team and, at 5:30, we were all
assembled and ready to go. We managed to head out within five minutes of our
desired start time, a first for our little herd of cats, and we made the slow
trek to the base of the Bourne Bridge. The Bourne Bridge is one of two that
span the Cape Cod Canal and is on the west end of the canal. It is not overly
long but the grade is somewhat steep getting to the apex and riders are
restricted to one lane. An early climb in a confined space makes for slow
going. Some riders actually get off their bikes and walk up the ascent which makes
the going for those behind them even slower. However, we made it to the top
and, on the descending side, I found an open area and was able to move forward.
Shortly after leaving the bridge behind us, we are able to
enjoy the Cape Cod Canal Path, a section of wide flat paved path which rolls
for about five miles between the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. This section of
the ride is fantastic as it allows riders to ride easily, warming up the
muscles for the ninety miles that lay ahead and to do so at a brisk pace. The
sun was rising over the canal and it was a beautiful morning. I had checked the
weather forecast the night before and was reasonable sure, as sure as one can
be as respects New England weather, that the day would be bright, sunny and
warm. The complete opposite of the day before.
As I rolled along, the morning stiffness left my legs and I
felt strong. I picked up the pace and decided to push myself a bit. It felt
good to be able to ride faster after the perilous conditions and slow speeds of
the previous day. Once we left the canal path, we entered the beautiful,
rolling countryside of Sandwich. By that time, well-wishers carrying mugs of
coffee could be seen at the side of the road with words of encouragement for us
all. When we encountered a length of scenic, tree lined road, it seemed that we
were all experiencing a sense of quiet determination as the most predominant
sound was that of the whirring of wheels, chains and gears with the occasional
quiet call of “On your left” as one rider passed another.
There is a road in Sandwich which parallels Route 6 named
Service Road. This road used to be a main connection between towns before Route
6 was built but now is more lightly used, especially at six fifteen in the
morning. What I love about Service Road is that it is a series of rolling hills
which allows cyclists to gain great speed on the down-hills and use that
momentum to climb the next up-hill stretch. Doing this requires some planning
and good use of gear ratios but, when done correctly, it is great fun and very
fast. I don’t know if it was luck, skill or a combination of both, but I felt
perfectly in sync with the road and my bicycle and flew over the 6.5 miles of
Service Road. It was a great feeling and it would not be the last time I experienced
it during that fine summer day.
When I rode into the first stop of the day in Barnstable, I
noticed that I had done the first 24 miles of the day in just under ninety
minutes. Knowing that the first 3 miles took almost a half hour, I quickly
calculated that my pace for the next 21 miles had been around 19mph. Not bad
for an old man.
Shortly after I arrived, the team started rolling in.
Everyone was in high spirits and enjoying the sunshine, the warmth and the
cheers of supporters and volunteers who greeted us at the entrance to the stop.
We chatted, topped off the tires with air and the bottles with Gatorade and
water. I ate fruit like it was the last time I would have the chance. Peaches,
plums and bananas all tasted wonderfully sweet and satisfying. If only I had
found a cup of coffee, the moment would have been perfect. Then, it was back on
the bikes for the next, somewhat shorter, leg of our day’s journey. Fourteen
short but fun miles to the next stop at Nickerson State Park in Brewster. The
sun was rising higher and the day and the faces of those at the side of the
road cheering us on were bright and cheery. We thanked supporters for coming
out to see us and for helping to further the fight against cancer. I felt great
and the miles seemed to fly almost effortlessly by. Before I knew it, we
approached the grounds of Cape Cod Sea Camps and one of the favorite spots of
the days’ ride: da’ Hedge!
Located in the town of Brewster is Cape Cod Sea Camps. Founded 95 years ago, CCSC is renowned for teaching young adults to sail and appreciate each other as well as a wealth of other activities. One of those activities, on the first Sunday in each August for the past twenty years, is cheering on PMC riders and acting as important participants in PMC weekend and the fight against cancer. The large campus of CCSC has approximately a two hundred yard frontage on Route 6A in Brewster. This border is lined with a four foot tall boxwood hedge and it is behind this hedge that the campers stand, shouting and cheering encouragement to all PMC riders as they pass. It is controlled chaos. Moderate mayhem. In summary, it is a wildly exuberant explosion of enthusiasm which is always appreciated by PMC participants. My friends and I stop at da’ Hedge each year and share high fives with the campers and get a photo amid this celebration.
Team Five & Dime at da' Hedge
Just a short mile or two down the road, was the next water
stop at Nickerson State Park in Brewster. Once they have arrived at that festive
location, riders know that there is only about 40 miles left in our journey.
Nickerson has a real party atmosphere because, in addition to the food and
beverages offered in quantity by the wonderful volunteers, a local radio
station sets up a broadcast booth and pumps music into the air. It is a
somewhat surreal experience to see hundreds of lycra clad middle aged riders
dancing away to bike themed tunes from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and more. While I
will not readily admit to busting a move with friends (or strangers), I will
say that I can get down with my bad self. ‘Nuff said.
Another delightful offering at the Nickerson stop is the
towels soaked in ice water that brave volunteers with really cold hands
distribute to any rider wishing to cool down. The sun was strong by mid-morning
and the temperature was rising accordingly. A cold towel on the back of the
neck was a delightful treat and helped keep my body temperature down to a
reasonable level. We ate, drank, filled our bottles and then headed out once more.
Upon leaving the state park, the route takes us on the Cape
Cod Rail Trail for several miles. As we have done in the past, a number of us
formed a pace line and cranked along at a nice, accelerated pace. The rider in
front did short ½ mile pulls which prevented him from getting too fatigued and
still allowed the four riders behind him to ride fast with a greatly reduced
effort level. Then the lead rider would drop to the rear and the next rider in
line took the lead. We rode this way for quite a while continuing after the
rail trail ran out and we moved onto the coastal roads in Wellfleet.
There are
some rolling hills in Wellfleet that, once again allowed us to use momentum
generated on the down-hill sections to help propel us up the inclines. It was
an exhilarating, high speed roller-coaster of a ride and we thoroughly enjoyed
it. Just before the final water stop, there are two more challenging hills but,
once we had put them behind us, it was a quick ride culminating with a sprint
into the school yard which held our last water stop of the day. Once again,
there was music, dancing, food, Gatorade and more. A unique addition at this stop
are “ice couches”.
Having spent the better part of two days sitting on a hard,
skinny bicycle saddle, some riders experience quite a bit of discomfort on
their backside. The ice couches are bags of ice cubes stacked about two feet
tall and covered with a tarp or sheet for the purpose of giving those riders
who need it a cool place to sit for a while and ease the discomfort. I have
never needed to use these cold seats but, I can tell you, they are always full.
In addition to the food, beverages and ice couches, there is
also a tent offering massages which is also always full. Many of my team mates
took advantage of the opportunity to have the knots kneaded out of their necks,
backs and legs by the skilled hands of volunteers who, with smiles on their
faces, helped the riders get rid of the kinks which can develop into cramps and
muscle
spasms if not attended to.
We were finally ready to tackle the last segment of our two
day journey and our commitment to continue fighting cancer with the PMC in
2017. We mounted the bikes and all headed out toward the hills of Truro knowing
that some nice climbs and a stiff headwind lay ahead. All except me, that is.
Just as I climbed aboard my bike, I rotated the pedals
backward so that I could lock in the cleat on my left shoe. When I did this,
the chain came off the chain ring in front and wedged itself between the chain
ring and the bottom bracket. This has happened once or twice before but this
time it was wedged so securely, I could not get it free. The team was out of
sight and all I could do was head to the mechanical tent and hope that the volunteer
mechanics would be able to get me back on the road quickly. All I could think
about was how difficult it would be to catch my friends at the pace at which
they cover ground. The mechanic who took charge of my bike, like all volunteers,
helped me quickly and with a smile and easy conversation. As he worked, my
phone rang and I noticed it was my team mate Tommy calling. I answered and he
asked if I was ok. I told him what happened and he said he was waiting for me
about 200 yards down the road. I suggested that he ride on and told him that he
did not have to wait for me. He responded by saying, “I am staying right here
and waiting for you. You don’t want to fight the headwinds alone”. That is the
kind of friends with whom I ride: selfless, dedicated and caring. Thank you
Tommy.
I left the mechanic’s tent after just a couple of minutes
and quickly found Tommy waiting at an intersection down the road. He waived me
by and then quickly caught up to me and the two of us picked up speed and began
the final twenty miles toward Provincetown and the culmination of our trek.
The countryside on the outer Cape is beautiful and we rode
past marsh land filled with birds and waiving grass and verdant forests shading
the road from the late morning sun. It was a perfect day and Tommy and I flew
down the flat pavement enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful ride.
About five miles into this last section, there are a couple
of hills which you do not expect to encounter on Cape Cod. These climbs come in
stages and, although they are fairly short, they are steeper than you would
anticipate and include twists and turns that make it hard to see the crest of
the hills. Add a little headwind and it was even more of a challenge. All I
could do was drop into a lower gear and grind it out. I was starting to feel
tired which made the climbs feel longer but I got through them. There are
always a few families who line the sides of the road on these hills and
encourage us by telling us we are almost at the top and that there are only a
few more miles to go. Sometimes, the former of those statements is not always
true but I am grateful for the attention and support of these folks and the
distraction that their cheers provide even if there is still another hundred yards
of climbing to do.
Once we got through the Truro hills, we turned onto Route 6A
and headed straight toward Provincetown. The road is wide open on both sides
and provides no break from any wind which may be encountered. A good portion of
this section is long low grade hills which, normally are not too bad. But, if
you add a seven to eight mile an hour headwind into the mix, these low grade
climbs become more of a slog. Several of us formed a pace line once again,
although this time it was at a much lower pace, so that not everyone had to
deal with the headwind head on. We pushed through the next few miles until we
saw where we would make the final stop as a team: the Welcome to Provincetown
sign.
After our “photo-op” at the PTown sign, an annual PMC
tradition, we knew that we had about eight miles left including a ride through
what are known as the Provincetown dunes. As I have mentioned in the past,
these are not sand dunes as you would normally think of them but a road through
a series of rolling sand hills which, at the end of a ninety mile ride, seem
like a pain in the rear end. They are, however, a reminder that we need to keep
up the fight against cancer and give all that we have to beat that awful
disease. My goal, each year, is to end the ride on PMC weekend with nothing
physically left to give. When I cross the finish line, there should be nothing
left in the can.
Some folks opt to skip
the dunes as it is an optional addition to the ride. They can head straight in
to the finish at the Provincetown Inn or the Family Finish at a nearby park and
be done with the event for another successful year. This year, about half of
the team opted to ride the dunes, myself included. We regrouped at a couple of
spots so that we could ride the last, long climb up the paved path on the
mountain of sand. A final sprint to the apex of the hill and we were on flat
road once more.
Most folks had opted to end at the Provincetown Inn which is
reserved for riders only (no families allowed). However, Gary and I both opted
for the family finish where Gail was waiting for me and Gary’s daughter and
son-in law waited for him.
With my spirits buoyed by the knowledge that I had
accomplished my eighth PMC, I sprinted toward the finish only slowing for the
last two turns before we reached the hundred yard ride to the finish line. Gary
and I rode in together, just as we had done last year, to the cheers of
hundreds of well-wishers. But for me, the only one that mattered was seeing and
hearing Gail with a brilliant smile and a happy cheer for me.
I was tired,
hungry, sweaty, hot and elated. I had accomplished my physical goal and was
continuing to accomplish my spiritual goal of continuing to fight cancer. Gail
gave me a big hug (despite my condition) and then it was time for a shower and
a beer.
I had given the 2017 PMC ride my all and knew it would not be long
before I started thinking about the ride in 2018.
