Friday night. The 2007 PMC has already started with the opening ceremonies in Sturbridge. A tearjerker this year, with stories of loved ones that have lost their battle with cancer, and a conversation with an 11 year old boy who first battled cancer at 4.
The bike is almost ready. An updated weather forecast suggests that I can remove the fenders I installed yesterday. Hooray! I still have to put the PMC numbers on the bike, pack my stuff and get to bed early (yea right!) so that I can get an early start. The weatherman is talking about 90+ degree temps even on the Cape tomorrow, so I'll be working to get to Bourne as early as possible (by 1 at the latest, perhaps earlier.)
The ride for me is payback for the months of training and fundraising. It's the best supported ride I've ever done, and I've done the route so many times that I have a series of favorite sections.
After 15 or 20 miles tomorrow morning I'll get into a groove, ticking off the miles, stopping when necessary for food, water and suntan lotion. It's a great feeling, flying along with 4,000 other cyclists all working towards the same goal...of arriving in Bourne early to get a great massage, and of course, of raising $27M to help cure cancer.
Thank you for your support of the Pan Mass Challenge and of the Jimmy Fund.
If you haven't donated yet, please visit:
https://www.pmc.org/egifts/MakeADonation.asp?eGiftID=LL0033
I've raised almost $7,000 as of the PMC. My goal remains $10,000, with your help we'll reach that goal, and we'll help fund the cure for cancer.
Thanks!
Lee
Friday, August 3, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Missouri -- A Great Place for a Bike Ride!
I'm in Kansas City Missouri, accompanying Amy at a Silpada jewelry conference. On Wednesday, I headed south to a town named Peculiar (weird, huh?) and did a 45 mile loop. What a wonderful place to ride.
The drivers are extremely curteous -- they wait patiently behind riders for an opening to pass, sometimes for several minutes or more. Clearly, they've been trained not to overtake unless they have a good view of the road, no overtaking on hills or before turns. And when they do pass, they move over to the opposing lane and wave cheerfully (and with all five fingers!).
It was hot on Wednesday, in the 90s. I stopped into a small town called Freeman, had a sandwich and reapplied suntan lotion. Then I went looking for some water to replenish my supply. Freeman is a *small* town and didn't even have a sandwich shop or bar...I *did* find the Freeman Municipal Water Department and stopped in. Hey, they're in the water business, right?
Anyway, a kind lady refilled my water bottles with water and ice. I do have to say that their water was particularly good, probably local well water.
I continued on my ride and eventually took a five mile detour to Louisville, Kansas, mostly to say that I rode all the way from MO to KS!
The sights and sounds on this ride were simply awesome. The rural country roads were largely deserted, virtually no traffic at all, save the occasional farm tractor.
Thursday I headed north and started a 50 mile loop in a town called Liberty. A bit more climbing on this ride, mostly lots of "rollers" -- short steep hills that don't actually build to any real elevation.
I stopped in at the Smithville Lake Project, an Army Corp of Engineers manufactured lake (and a big one!). Their air conditioning and cold water were appreciated.
On this ride, the drivers were equally scarce and courteous...I still can't get over how well mannered they are. This is somewhat less true closer to Kansas City, but far better than most drivers in the northeast.
This was a hot day...so hot that I skipped a 5 mile extension to Paradise and headed back in mid 90 degree heat. It was as hot a ride as I've ever remembered and I suffered through it.
At one point I stopped at an intersection, leaned my bike up against the stop sign and took my helmet off. Not long afterwards, a guy on a Harley pulls up, nods, and then asks "Are you okay?" Now this is a common question cyclists ask one another on the road when one is stopped, but I've *never* seen a motorcyclist ask a cyclist this question. Perhaps he saw that I was overheated, but more likely, it's just this midwestern courtesy!
I'll get another ride or two in before we head back to Massachusetts on Sunday. With any luck, the weather will be a bit cooler...
Then I begin my taper for the ride next week. The bike is ready and the legs are ready. All I need now is to raise another $6,000 and I'll have reached my fundraising goal.
To contribute, please visit the PMC website:
https://www.pmc.org/egifts/MakeADonation.asp?eGiftID=LL0033
And please forward this link to friends and coworkers. With your help I can make my $10,000 fundraising goal!
Lee
The drivers are extremely curteous -- they wait patiently behind riders for an opening to pass, sometimes for several minutes or more. Clearly, they've been trained not to overtake unless they have a good view of the road, no overtaking on hills or before turns. And when they do pass, they move over to the opposing lane and wave cheerfully (and with all five fingers!).
It was hot on Wednesday, in the 90s. I stopped into a small town called Freeman, had a sandwich and reapplied suntan lotion. Then I went looking for some water to replenish my supply. Freeman is a *small* town and didn't even have a sandwich shop or bar...I *did* find the Freeman Municipal Water Department and stopped in. Hey, they're in the water business, right?
Anyway, a kind lady refilled my water bottles with water and ice. I do have to say that their water was particularly good, probably local well water.
I continued on my ride and eventually took a five mile detour to Louisville, Kansas, mostly to say that I rode all the way from MO to KS!
The sights and sounds on this ride were simply awesome. The rural country roads were largely deserted, virtually no traffic at all, save the occasional farm tractor.
Thursday I headed north and started a 50 mile loop in a town called Liberty. A bit more climbing on this ride, mostly lots of "rollers" -- short steep hills that don't actually build to any real elevation.
I stopped in at the Smithville Lake Project, an Army Corp of Engineers manufactured lake (and a big one!). Their air conditioning and cold water were appreciated.
On this ride, the drivers were equally scarce and courteous...I still can't get over how well mannered they are. This is somewhat less true closer to Kansas City, but far better than most drivers in the northeast.
This was a hot day...so hot that I skipped a 5 mile extension to Paradise and headed back in mid 90 degree heat. It was as hot a ride as I've ever remembered and I suffered through it.
At one point I stopped at an intersection, leaned my bike up against the stop sign and took my helmet off. Not long afterwards, a guy on a Harley pulls up, nods, and then asks "Are you okay?" Now this is a common question cyclists ask one another on the road when one is stopped, but I've *never* seen a motorcyclist ask a cyclist this question. Perhaps he saw that I was overheated, but more likely, it's just this midwestern courtesy!
I'll get another ride or two in before we head back to Massachusetts on Sunday. With any luck, the weather will be a bit cooler...
Then I begin my taper for the ride next week. The bike is ready and the legs are ready. All I need now is to raise another $6,000 and I'll have reached my fundraising goal.
To contribute, please visit the PMC website:
https://www.pmc.org/egifts/MakeADonation.asp?eGiftID=LL0033
And please forward this link to friends and coworkers. With your help I can make my $10,000 fundraising goal!
Lee
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
The Fourth of July in New England
This weekend, and again today I rode one of my favorite training routes -- north from Needham through Wellesley, Weston, Lincoln, past the Air Force base and airport in Bedford and into Concord.
The history contained on this route is amazing. 200 years ago we fought for the independence of our country on this ground, and many of the battlefields are now protected as national park land. It's amazing to ride through these areas, past houses that were built in the 1700s, along roads that may originally have been horse paths, and think that some of our nation's most important history happened in these very places.
This legacy is much of what keeps me in New England...the richness of our heritage is so evident here.
I took a break at the Concord Rotary and watched the tourists flock. Those of us that live here sometimes take this heritage for granted...we speed past the battlefields without a second thought, ignore the houses and taverns in which our nation's history was written. The tourists, from Alabama, or Missouri, or California, or New York, or even western Massachusetts, stare wide-eyed at these same historical sites. They read every word on the signs and plaques. They remind us of how lucky we are to live here.
Riding through these historical lands is a real treat. I am reminded of what happened here 200 years ago, and think of how difficult life then must have been.
By the way, I crossed paths with a fellow PMCer today...a guy that lost his right leg to cancer 30 years ago. He's out training for the PMC as well...doing his part to raise money for the cause. Or perhaps he's training for another triathlon. Either way, he makes a marvelous model for living after cancer. And for those who say riding 200 miles in 2 days, or raising $3,000 is too hard, well...all I can say is that anyone who puts their mind to it can accomplish this and much more.
The training is going well. I put in 100+ miles this weekend and another 55 today. I'm feeling old and slow and fat...at least the bike is losing weight. Between the two of us I think we'll do okay.
The fundraising has picked up some. I've raised almost $4,000 to date, which means that if I don't raise any more, *I* will be writing a check to the Jimmy Fund for $2,600 to meet the commitment I made.
My goal remains to raise $10,000 this year, and I'm confident that I will reach this goal. I've got so many people are with me on this mission of wiping out cancer, I know we'll do it!
To donate, please visit:
https://www.pmc.org/egifts/MakeADonation.asp?eGiftID=LL0033
Thanks!
Lee
The history contained on this route is amazing. 200 years ago we fought for the independence of our country on this ground, and many of the battlefields are now protected as national park land. It's amazing to ride through these areas, past houses that were built in the 1700s, along roads that may originally have been horse paths, and think that some of our nation's most important history happened in these very places.
This legacy is much of what keeps me in New England...the richness of our heritage is so evident here.
I took a break at the Concord Rotary and watched the tourists flock. Those of us that live here sometimes take this heritage for granted...we speed past the battlefields without a second thought, ignore the houses and taverns in which our nation's history was written. The tourists, from Alabama, or Missouri, or California, or New York, or even western Massachusetts, stare wide-eyed at these same historical sites. They read every word on the signs and plaques. They remind us of how lucky we are to live here.
Riding through these historical lands is a real treat. I am reminded of what happened here 200 years ago, and think of how difficult life then must have been.
By the way, I crossed paths with a fellow PMCer today...a guy that lost his right leg to cancer 30 years ago. He's out training for the PMC as well...doing his part to raise money for the cause. Or perhaps he's training for another triathlon. Either way, he makes a marvelous model for living after cancer. And for those who say riding 200 miles in 2 days, or raising $3,000 is too hard, well...all I can say is that anyone who puts their mind to it can accomplish this and much more.
The training is going well. I put in 100+ miles this weekend and another 55 today. I'm feeling old and slow and fat...at least the bike is losing weight. Between the two of us I think we'll do okay.
The fundraising has picked up some. I've raised almost $4,000 to date, which means that if I don't raise any more, *I* will be writing a check to the Jimmy Fund for $2,600 to meet the commitment I made.
My goal remains to raise $10,000 this year, and I'm confident that I will reach this goal. I've got so many people are with me on this mission of wiping out cancer, I know we'll do it!
To donate, please visit:
https://www.pmc.org/egifts/MakeADonation.asp?eGiftID=LL0033
Thanks!
Lee
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The miles are coming...slowly
And the donations are coming too. Since I launched this blog, I've raised a total of $2158 and have commitments of another $1,000 or so, which puts me almost a third of the way to my goal of $10,000.
I've got about 350 miles on the bike this year, about where I was last year at this time. Two years ago I was at 525, and in 2004 I had 750 miles in by early June. An alarming downward trend!
The good news is that I feel pretty good on the bike. After knocking off 4 days of commuting to work a couple of weeks ago, I then enjoyed three beautiful days of riding in upstate New York.
At my 25th college reunion, in addition to connecting with a lot of old friends, I also had the opportunity to ride through the farmlands surrounding Colgate. I still don't remember the area being that hilly, but the riding was good. Each day it rained (poured, actually), and each day I managed to get in a good long ride before the weather turned wet.
I had forgotten what fun it was to be out in the middle of nowhere, just me and the cows, and an occasional farmer on a tractor or combine waving back at me.
Last week was a loss...with business travel taking me away from my bike and my training. This week brings more of the same.
All of my rides have been relatively short so far...I need to get some longer rides in or my butt will be toast.
All of this avoids the real issue, though. Donations are up and I've already brought a few new people into the fold.
My goal is to raise $10,000 this year, and I'd like to meet that goal before the ride in August.
Please help me to reach this goal. To donate, visit:
http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=story&eGiftID=LL0033
And come back to this blog often to see how I'm doing!
Thanks!
Lee
I've got about 350 miles on the bike this year, about where I was last year at this time. Two years ago I was at 525, and in 2004 I had 750 miles in by early June. An alarming downward trend!
The good news is that I feel pretty good on the bike. After knocking off 4 days of commuting to work a couple of weeks ago, I then enjoyed three beautiful days of riding in upstate New York.
At my 25th college reunion, in addition to connecting with a lot of old friends, I also had the opportunity to ride through the farmlands surrounding Colgate. I still don't remember the area being that hilly, but the riding was good. Each day it rained (poured, actually), and each day I managed to get in a good long ride before the weather turned wet.
I had forgotten what fun it was to be out in the middle of nowhere, just me and the cows, and an occasional farmer on a tractor or combine waving back at me.
Last week was a loss...with business travel taking me away from my bike and my training. This week brings more of the same.
All of my rides have been relatively short so far...I need to get some longer rides in or my butt will be toast.
All of this avoids the real issue, though. Donations are up and I've already brought a few new people into the fold.
My goal is to raise $10,000 this year, and I'd like to meet that goal before the ride in August.
Please help me to reach this goal. To donate, visit:
http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=story&eGiftID=LL0033
And come back to this blog often to see how I'm doing!
Thanks!
Lee
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The Cool Still Dawn
While I was riding this morning, I couldn't stop thinking about what I wrote last night. I train hard for the PMC so that the ride itself is easy. So that I can show up strongly for other less experienced riders and for the spectators.
Invariably, the less experienced riders are there because they're fighting for someone. So I'm there to help them up the hills with a kind word or a pat on the back or to change a tire for them.
I also train hard to ward off illness. A good friend and neighbor battled cancer and won, in part, because of his excellent physical condition. I pray that I will never have to undergo what he went through, but if I do, I want to be prepared for the battle.
Early morning is my favorite time to ride. There's little traffic...in fact this morning I saw more cyclists than cars until about 6:30 when the commuters started to show. The mist rose over the river and all was still, except for the birds and occasional other wildlife.
This morning was a treat.
Lee
Invariably, the less experienced riders are there because they're fighting for someone. So I'm there to help them up the hills with a kind word or a pat on the back or to change a tire for them.
I also train hard to ward off illness. A good friend and neighbor battled cancer and won, in part, because of his excellent physical condition. I pray that I will never have to undergo what he went through, but if I do, I want to be prepared for the battle.
Early morning is my favorite time to ride. There's little traffic...in fact this morning I saw more cyclists than cars until about 6:30 when the commuters started to show. The mist rose over the river and all was still, except for the birds and occasional other wildlife.
This morning was a treat.
Lee
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Headlong Rush to August
I'm already starting to feel pressure to ride again. I rode 4 days last week, skipped Saturday, rode Sunday and Monday. Monday I launched this blog and emailed a few of my friends. Donations jumped almost 50% today.
For those who are interested, corporate donations are gladly accepted along with personal donations.
So tomorrow I'm not riding to work, but I'm thinking about getting up early and riding with the Crack O' Dawn Riders. "Be There at 5:45 or Ride Alone" is their motto.
Thursday I'm driving to upstate NY for a college reunion, then next week I'm doing some business travel. So time on the bike is dear.
And only in part because I'm pretty selfish about my time on the bike. Just as importantly, I view it as my opportunity, my obligation to ride the 192 miles strongly. To ride past the many spectators and supporters on the route with a smile on my face and spring in my legs. I actually have several spots on the route in which I take pride in sprinting up hills to show the spectators that I appreciate their support as much as they appreciate mine. To show them that I and the other riders bring unending strength to this fight.
I think I'll get up early tomorrow and ride. Those spectators by the side of the road are counting on me.
Lee
For those who are interested, corporate donations are gladly accepted along with personal donations.
So tomorrow I'm not riding to work, but I'm thinking about getting up early and riding with the Crack O' Dawn Riders. "Be There at 5:45 or Ride Alone" is their motto.
Thursday I'm driving to upstate NY for a college reunion, then next week I'm doing some business travel. So time on the bike is dear.
And only in part because I'm pretty selfish about my time on the bike. Just as importantly, I view it as my opportunity, my obligation to ride the 192 miles strongly. To ride past the many spectators and supporters on the route with a smile on my face and spring in my legs. I actually have several spots on the route in which I take pride in sprinting up hills to show the spectators that I appreciate their support as much as they appreciate mine. To show them that I and the other riders bring unending strength to this fight.
I think I'll get up early tomorrow and ride. Those spectators by the side of the road are counting on me.
Lee
Monday, May 28, 2007
Prepping for the PMC
It's late May and I'm late to prepping for the PMC. A week ago my bike and I got reacquainted. I left the car at home 4 of 5 days last week and rode the bike to work. Sunday I did a hard ride in the hills of the Berkshires, about 30 miles. Earlier today I did another ride, finding one killer incline that really pushed me to my limit.
With this blog I intend to capture the both the thoughts, feelings and the physical preparation that make the PMC so special. I've pushed some of this out in email in the past; I figured that this would be a great way for me to become more involved in the web 2.0 phenomenom, withouth taking up too much space in my supporters' email boxes.
So what's going on?
Last time I thought about writing, cancer had just hit the news. Elizabeth Edwards annouced that her cancer was back and that her husband John would continue with his run for the presidency.
Shortly therafter, Tony Snow, White House press relations, also announced the return of his cancer.
Public people in the public spotlight, dealing with a very private issue.
I was torn. These are private matters that have no business in the public spotlight. Or these are political people maximizing the value of the cards that have been dealt them. I don't know.
I do know that cancer research funding did not rise from last year to this. I do know that clinical trials are at risk for lack of funding.
I do know how it made me feel to see my father-in-law, along with a dear friend of his, lead the survivor's lap at a recent Relay for Life event. I do know how I felt when I saw my father's name listed in the presentation as a cancer survivor.
I do know how I felt when I saw friends' names on luminaria bags at this Relay for Life, friends that were my age and had passe away. And how it felt to see my father's name, and my father-in-law's name, and his friend's name, on other luminaria bags, signifying hope that others could also beat cancer.
So I ride. And I raise money. And I pester people for donations to the PMC, to the Jimmy Fund, my one big cause. This year I've set out to raise $10,000. And to bring 20 new people into the fold, as sponsors or riders or volunteers.
As of right now, I've raised just about $1200. And it will be a headlong rush between the end of May and the end of July to get my body ready for the 192 miles and the $10,000 raised so that I can say this year, again, I've done my little part in the fight against cancer.
Enough for now.
To donate, please visit:
http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=story&eGiftID=LL0033
And please do leave your comments after reading.
Thanks,
Lee
With this blog I intend to capture the both the thoughts, feelings and the physical preparation that make the PMC so special. I've pushed some of this out in email in the past; I figured that this would be a great way for me to become more involved in the web 2.0 phenomenom, withouth taking up too much space in my supporters' email boxes.
So what's going on?
Last time I thought about writing, cancer had just hit the news. Elizabeth Edwards annouced that her cancer was back and that her husband John would continue with his run for the presidency.
Shortly therafter, Tony Snow, White House press relations, also announced the return of his cancer.
Public people in the public spotlight, dealing with a very private issue.
I was torn. These are private matters that have no business in the public spotlight. Or these are political people maximizing the value of the cards that have been dealt them. I don't know.
I do know that cancer research funding did not rise from last year to this. I do know that clinical trials are at risk for lack of funding.
I do know how it made me feel to see my father-in-law, along with a dear friend of his, lead the survivor's lap at a recent Relay for Life event. I do know how I felt when I saw my father's name listed in the presentation as a cancer survivor.
I do know how I felt when I saw friends' names on luminaria bags at this Relay for Life, friends that were my age and had passe away. And how it felt to see my father's name, and my father-in-law's name, and his friend's name, on other luminaria bags, signifying hope that others could also beat cancer.
So I ride. And I raise money. And I pester people for donations to the PMC, to the Jimmy Fund, my one big cause. This year I've set out to raise $10,000. And to bring 20 new people into the fold, as sponsors or riders or volunteers.
As of right now, I've raised just about $1200. And it will be a headlong rush between the end of May and the end of July to get my body ready for the 192 miles and the $10,000 raised so that I can say this year, again, I've done my little part in the fight against cancer.
Enough for now.
To donate, please visit:
http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=story&eGiftID=LL0033
And please do leave your comments after reading.
Thanks,
Lee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)