How quickly the dark shadow can rear its ugly head. It’s omnipresent. You’d never know as someone who is close to me because I don’t even see it - or realize it. But as I strutted confidently into my annual mammogram a few months ago and waited for the quick reply from my oncologist that all is good…the wait was longer than normal. Something needed to be looked at closer. I immediately fell back into the rat hole that is a cancer diagnosis. Of course, no one can say, “I’m sure it’s nothing” because we were all sure it was nothing 8.5 years ago when it was very much something. Lucky for me (oh, so lucky), all is fine.

This is the reason I ride: my deep desire for every person to avoid this feeling; this dark rat hole.

As I waited for the doctor to review my follow-up mammogram and ultrasound, I sat crossed legged with one leg bouncing up the sky trying to keep my freaked-out, beating heart still. Next to me was a woman 20 years younger. You only sit and wait if something not great shows up on the mammo. This is also why I ride: there is a notable increase in cancer diagnosis in young people. Leaders treating the big C - like those at Dana Farber - have no idea why. 

So I ride. As many  of you know, the last time I rode two years ago, it was 102 degrees out with thick humidity. It was not a fun ride for me for many reasons. I thought that was the end of PMC rides for me. No more asks or crazy early morning, long training rides. 

Alas, here I am as the need is never-ending. I will ride 161 miles in 2 days for the 6th time - rain or shine (even if there is too much shine). I also need to fundraise $6,000. Let me be quite clear and open: the only way I can do it is with you.

Thank you.