Day 2: 80 Miles

We woke at 4 AM and started at 5:15, crossing the Bourne Bridge before dawn. The state police shut down a lane of traffic on the bridge to allow riders to cross unhindered. You know it's a big deal when Cape Cod traffic is diverted.

Another beautiful day: sunny and warm, yet dry and breezy. There were 4 water stops on the route, which took us along parts of Routes 6, 6A, and the Cape Cod Bike/Rail Trail. Lots of supporters and cheerleaders lined the sides of the road. Some people were out before dawn on the bridge, cheering us on.

Everyone looked good riding - Alex, Mark, and Tom - especially Mark, who got a lousy night sleep in the Mass. Maritime Academy dormitories. Tom and I slept well in the tent outdoors. Mark still kept us with Alex for the ride.

Mark and Alex crossed the finish line around 10:30 AM, about 5-1/4 hours later. Tom finished shortly before 11 AM, and I came across the line a little after 11 AM, just under 6 hours. Totally exhausted. VERY happy.

Tom and I found Mark and Alex sitting in one of the lunch tents, already showered and eating. I looked a sight: dollops of sunblock all over me and wedged in my ears. I didn't get sunburned, a remarkable feat in itself. Lots of free food and drinks - and a long line at the beer bar, which didn't open until noon. At the other end of our lunch table sat two celebrities: Billy Starr, who founded the PMC in 1980, and Greg Lemond, the first American to win the Tour de France and who won it three times.

I set my own person record: I biked 192 miles and finished the PMC for my wife, myfamily, my friends, everyone who supported me. And for myself.

I'll post pictures soon.

Day 1: 112 Miles

It's harder than I thought. We started in Sturbridge at 6 AM (we woke up at 4:30). Enormous exodus at the gate. Thousands of yellow jersey riders riding into the sunrise.

Alex, Mark, and Tom all did very well. Alex and Mark finished in about 8 hours. Tom came in at 8.5. I brought up the back at 9 hours. Hills are very tough.

Couldn't have asked for a better day. Dry and warm. Good spirits all around. We're at the Marine Maritime Academy in Bourne, eating, showering, resting.

We leave Bourne at 6 AM tomorrow. Only 81 miles to Provincetown!

More tomorrow,
Pat

PMC IS HERE!

I'm writing from the Sturbridge Host Hotel, where we're watching the opening ceremony of the Pan Mass Challenge. There are thousands of people here, riders, families, friends, and volunteers. Greg Lemond just spoke and Soul &sylum played a live show. There are many stories here. Many patients and survivors are here. many people who know someone with cancer.

Team Appendiceal Wheels is ready for tomorrow! Mark, Tom, Alex and I are staying at a campground 5 miles down the road. 3omorrow we'll wake up at 4 AM and get to the starting line to leave by 6 AM. The first leg is 112 miles from Sturbridge to Bourne.

I'll keep you updated when I can. Thanks for following and supporting us!

Gratitude

Over-gratitude doesn't exist. The hyphenated word itself is awkward. There are so many people to thank for last Thursday's fundraiser at Tommy Doyle's that I am overcome with gratitude.

So THANKS in no particular order to the following people:

To Jean, my wife: Who took the photos, assembled and built the pics, designed and ordered the jerseys, assembled the postcards and notes, and planned so much. And still looked stunning in a lovely dress that evening.

To Mark: For coordinating with Tommy Doyle's, reserving the upstairs room, and ordering the vittles.

To Yvonne, Stephana and Tom: For the support and especially for the cupcakes.

Pat & Mary Alyce Gasbarro (my folks): Who drove up from RI and helped us setup the whole shebang. They've also been helping us enormously in moving out of our apartment. They've been doing double-duty.

To Marianne: Who helped setup, manned the desk, and kept us sane.

To Anne: Who brought o-ur 4 nieces and nephews (Aidan, Hayley, Ainsley, and Keegan), who really livened up the place.

To the McNamara Clan, who drove into the city from all over: Paul, Sean, and Aunt Sandy, who drove from Rhode Island.

And thanks to all of you who showed up!
George Ferreira
Suzanne Smetana
Dmitri Pavlov
Kris Taksen
Dave Putt
Doris Harney
Bob Harney
Curt Springer
Robert Budding
Ashley Freeman
Patricia Smith
Alex Calhoun
Teresina Cardamone
Chele Putt
Kate Silfen
Noreen Ryan
Terri Sojot
Hara Aronson
James McKenzie
Janet Tighe

Change Is Upon Us

If you click on PMC above, you'll be taken to my Pan-Mass Challenge site, where you'll learn about the 200-mile bike ride I'll be doing in August for cancer awareness and research - and what you can do to help.

Wait. I'm bicycling 200 miles?!

All right. Who talked me into this?

I don't even own a bike! (Yet.)

Clearly I'll have to put more thought into this. :-)