In Memory and In Honor

Why am I riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge for the first time this year? What's my motivation?

I ride in memory and in honor of the following family and friends:

This is my Aunt Doris, whose life was cut short by ovarian cancer in 2005. Although we lived many miles apart, she was always my favorite aunt - so warm, loving and generous. She lives on in our hearts and memories.

I also ride in memory of friend and fellow mom Carol, who was taken too young from her family in 2007. She was a loving wife and mother and a gentle soul. Through her death, Carol taught us all about life.

Finally, I ride in honor of my friend Tim. His is a survival story. Diagnosed last year with stage III colon cancer, he is now cancer-free due to early detection and targeted treatment. His battle taught me all about resilience in the face of life's unexpected and unfair turns.

Riding the PMC is my way of supporting the fight against cancer. The challenge of riding 165 miles pales in comparison to the battle these three and so many others have faced.

But hopefully, every mile will take us closer to a cure for cancer.

Pre-PMC Stats

I like numbers. Almost too much, some would say. Here are my stats so far this season:

Total number of miles ridden: 1110

Longest ride: 70

Hours of ride time : 72+

Typical average speed: 15-16 mph

Fastest speed: 32 mph (I'm a wimp!)

Number of rides: 55

Number of dropped water bottles: 1

Number of close calls with clueless drivers: 2

Number of times I've inadvertently given myself a flat tire: 3

I hope to ride at least 900 more miles before the season ends this year, so I'm more than halfway there. Either way though, I feel physically strong and mentally ready for the PMC this weekend.

Final Push

Yesterday I did my last big training ride before the PMC. I rode in the Cycle for Shelter which supports Emmaus, Inc, a non-profit organization providing housing and services to the homeless in Haverhill. I rode in this event last year and really enjoyed it.

My initial plan was to ride the 100 mile course with a friend. But ultimately, given a variety of circumstances, I wound up solo riding "just" 62 miles, or a 100 km.

It was a beautiful course up into NH and along the coast of Hampton, Rye and inland towards Exeter. Here's one shot I took along Rt. 1A in North Hampton, which I was rode on just a few short weeks ago.

Initially, I thought I'd be dealing with thunderstorms given the forecast. Thankfully, the course successfully dodged them but it turned out to be an absolutely sweltering day as you can see from the haze.

I had a great ride but came to the realization that any solo ride over 60-70 miles is too long. I like company for these big efforts! Thankfully, I'll have plenty of company to look forward to this coming weekend at the PMC.

Hitting 1000

This past weekend I passed the 1000 mile mark. That was my mileage goal to get to the PMC and I'm happy to report I met it 2 weeks early.

My plan is to reach 2000 by the end of the season. Hopefully continued motivation, strong legs and good weather will help pull me through.

Swamped

What can I say? I just like swamps.

Solo 70 Miler along the Coast

In keeping with the ocean theme I have going, yesterday I did something totally fun. I took the day off from work and instead of sleeping late, relaxing and puttering around the house, I went for a 70 mile bike ride up and down the New Hampshire and Maine coastline under glorious blue skies all by myself.

I thought I might have had a riding buddy or two but when that didn't pan out, I started teetering about if I should go or not. I mean really, what was I thinking? But thankfully, I got myself up and out the door by 7:00 a.m. before I could fully talk myself out of it.

Basically my ride was this: I parked at Hampton Beach, hopped on my bike and rode up the coast 35 miles and back to the beautiful Nubble Lighthouse in York Beach, Maine. This particular route was a leg of the Seacoast Century I did last September and I was looking forward to trying it again.

The route took me through Hampton, North Hampton, Rye, Portsmouth, Kittery, ME, and York. And although it was generally a flat route, it still had its share of challenges: dodging open car doors and pedestrians near the beaches, crossing metal grated bridges, navigating (and getting slightly lost on) the streets of downtown Portsmouth, and some strong cross and head winds to contend with on the way back. There was even a roundabout thrown in for good measure and multiple open ice cream stands, which I successfully managed to bypass (though I would have been SO there if the lines weren't so long).

Overall, it was a beautiful ride on a beautiful day and I'm so glad I pushed myself out the door to do it. Here are a few more pictures from the route. The above shot is from York Beach looking out at Nubble Lighthouse in the distance.

Total ride time: just over 4.5 hours. I'll be doing this route again during the century in September and I'm looking forward to having some company - and maybe some ice cream - next time.

Oceanside Eye Candy

This image I spotted in Newburyport while biking made me stop and turn around. Ahh...the sites and smells of the ocean.

PMC - 3 Weeks and Counting....

I can't believe it. Just three weeks from today I will be in Bourne celebrating after riding the first day of the PMC.

Time has really flown by this biking season though I'm not sure why. The weather has been the pits - long stretches of rain and the coldest temperatures recorded in 103 years. But that hasn't stopped me from getting out there on my bike to train! Well, actually it has at times, but I am making good progress. And just in the past two weeks alone I've managed to get in over 230 miles.

Just back from a 57 mile solo ride up to Newburyport today. Had a quick visit with a friend and made a pit stop at Plum Island to check out the beach. What a gorgeous day.

Somehow on my way home I missed the turn I wanted to take so this added a few extra miles. Getting lost seems to be a theme for me this year. More on that later.

For now, I'm going to put up my weary feet and settle in for a nice glass of wine.