6/23/18 - I rode my bike today from our home in Yarmouth to a beautiful point in Harpswell, ME, where my parent-in-laws have rented a house for the week. This was a big ride for me! First of all, it was the longest ride I've ever taken, totaling 28 miles. (There was a rest stop @ Wild Oats in Brunswick for sustenance.) Secondly, I am a very nervous bike rider! My stomach was fluttering and I could hear my heart beat loudly in my ears before getting on the bike. Lastly, my Fall 2017 pledge to participate in the Pan Mass Challenge—a192 mile fundraising ride for The Jimmy Fund (from Sturbridge, MA to Provincetown, MA)—over the course of two days on the first weekend in Aug., became incredibly real!
Why did I decide to commit to riding 192 miles when cycling is definitely not in my comfort zone? Well, I am riding to honor my sister-in-law Lissa’s memory. Lissa, a beautiful human, wonderful and talented in so many ways, gifted with an amazing family, whose physical life ended way too soon to the cruel, insidious and, in her case, seemingly arbitrary disease, Lung Cancer. I am also riding to support my husband, Ben, and brother-in-law, Jon, who have been riding in Lissa’s honor for 8years already. Lissa actually gave Ben his very first PMC donation just before she passed away! Incredible, I know!
So, how did my ride today go? Well, thanks to Ben, it was great! Ben helped to make sure that my bike was road ready. He made sure that I had a helmet that fit, bike gloves, and enough water. He told me that I should go first to set the pace and so that he could ‘block’ the vehicles that scare me. Ben calmly guided me through the traffic, reminded me about how to shift gears through the hills, and warned me about potholes and drainage grates and slick road lines as the rain came down. He shared his expertise and cycling confidence with me in the most supportive and loving way. I know that this is what Lissa did for him as his older sister when he was growing up and learning how to push beyond his comfort zone.
Today’s ride was hard and tiring and a bit scary for me, but with love and support along the way and cheers and hugs at the end, it felt GREAT! (And so did the nap that I took when I finished!)
I am looking for help to raise a whole lotta $ for cancer research via the Jimmy Fund through the PMC. Please consider donating. And many thanks for your support!
With so much appreciation,
Beth
