BigBlueBOTTLE

Brian wasn’t kidding when he said saddle sores - During the first weekend in August, we rode 300 miles in three days across the state of Massassachusets to raise funds for cancer research. We were thrilled to ride a bicycle for an entire weekend (the three of us being avid cyclists), challenged to go the distance (even though we had trained hard for the ride) and emotional to see others riding for such a great cause. The PMC was actually a two day event, however we joined about 20 other riders who wanted to make it a true state crossing and so we started at the New York boarder a day prior to the kickoff of the PMC.

But we didn’t let that be the only riding we would do to honor the folks who supported us. On Thursday afternoon, we arrived early to complete 9 hill repeats each on Hope Hill. This monster ascent was a mile long stretch of curves and peaks that reached ~ 1000 feet into the air. Each trip down the hill became an adventure to reach 50 mph, while each trip up the hill became a prize to win in honor. In the end, we had accomplished something worthy of bragging rights, but none of us wanted to do it. It seemed small in comparison to what the weekend was all about.

Each morning started early and we focused on looking at the days as riding multiple 20-25 mile rides from rest stop to rest stop, rather than an 87 mile ride one day or a 110 miler the next. Our departure from the NY boarder was supported by several cars and family members who treated us to drinks, fruit and snacks. We stopped at a general store, a small country deli, a business, a strip club (honest) and a town building where food, cold drinks and smiles waited for us. We had a police escort through
Springfield MA where small townships in between kept the escort going for us. It became oppressively HOT at times (95+ degrees and humid) during the ride where there was no breeze and it was hard to breathe deeply. The final part of the day contained long hills that truly tested our endurance. We rode the last mile together to the PMC registration area where we quickly blended in with the other 5000 cyclists on the property. After making our way to the sign-in area and standing in a few lines to pick up our packets and find food, we were glad to be off the bike. We talked about the people we had ridden 87 miles with. We thought about the people we rode the hill for. We focused on the patients that we would be helping tomorrow.

The next morning a sea of riders spread across the parking lot at the start of the 2007 PMC ride. Billy Star, the lead organizer of the event, spoke to us and thanked us for the funds we had raised. Music was played, the National Anthem was sung and the energy was flowing. People from all walks of life were gathered together this chilly morning with a common cause and purpose. Once on the road, it was amazing to see that many riders flowing like a river up the road in front of us. We decided to by-pass the first rest stop in order to avoid the crowds and worked our way to the 40 mile rest stop to refuel and eat. That seemed to be the theme of the day – talking with people, riding and eating – we were in our element! The lunch stop was a powerful event – not caused by any thing someone said or did. It was the photos of the children lining the road to the tent that stirred powerful emotions in us. These were the children who were survivors of cancer or who were fighting each day of their lives to make it for another day. We were touched and re-energized to get back out in the heat and finish the day’s 110 mile trek.

The afternoon was spent riding with groups, forming our own group of riders and refueling as often as we could. Tears were shed as we rode past children and adults who held up signs that read “I am alive because of YOU.” We didn’t go more than a mile without someone standing at the end of a driveway to cheer us on. When we arrived at the Mass Maritime Academy, each of us were glad to be standing and showered and fed. We stayed on a Naval ship with the ladies in one bunk area and the men in another. We slept in bunks that sailors would sleep in – with just enough head room to roll over and showers just big enough to turn around in. By the time night fall arrived, it didn’t matter – I think each of us were so exhausted that we could have slept on the lawn and been just as content.

The final morning arrived before the break of sun and was greeted with a ride over the Bourne bridge. It felt great to be riding before the sun came up and to have a jump on most of the other 2-day riders. It made for rest stop transitions that were easy and fast. Our veteran rider informed us that the sooner you arrive in Provincetown, the faster you get a shower without standing in line. That was motivation enough for us, especially after working hard on the final stretch of hills and then fighting the massive head winds as they cut over the

Provincetown Peninsula. We rode into the final stop side by side with huge smiles on our faces. We had made it.

When a person endures something in their life, they tend to tolerate it with patience and persistence. That is not to say that they necessarily enjoy doing it, but it becomes an adaptation for survival. Endurance is the ability to withstand adversity, pain, hardship or strain. It is the ability to keep trying when your mind tells you to quit. It was at the heart and soul of each person we met during the PMC, whether they were a rider, volunteer and/or a cancer survivor. Will I do it next year? Heck yes! I have even started to think of ways to raise more funds!