Early Breakfast....Foxboro Finish....The Arch....and NO MAN LEFT BEHIND AT FOXBORO !!!!!
(and Mark needs a new BIKE !!!!)
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2021: 50-miler here we go again!
This year I am riding with My Son Jack !!! (and Mark...who could forget him!)
This is the first PMC for Jack and 2nd (? maybe) for Mark.
We push off Sunday, August 8th...anyone know the significance of that date? Anyone?...anyone? Yes, I am 'officially' in my mid-fourties ...'offically.'
Not bothering to check the weather, we will be riding rain or shine.
Yes, the ride will be different this year for Covid: No Registration Event, No Swag Tent, Nor Merchandise Tent and addtionally staggered starts......BUT, it will still be a GREAT RIDE ON SUNDAY!
Because I am here for it, my FIVE-year anniversary being CLAIRE FREE.
Alongside my Son and Friend.
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2020: My pre Covid-19 words...as we all know what happened....
Back to the 50-miler ! It was a GREAT experience, but $5,500 is just TOO much money to raise.
This year I'll be riding with my good friend Mark - We all need to cheer him on: Go Mark !!!!!
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2019: My First Year for a Two-Day Ride !
Yeah, I did it, my first 2-day. Banged it out - 192 Miles - finishing in the middle of the pack. I wasn't looking to break any land-speed records, just to get thru the unknown course. I will tell you that, for me, the 2-day event was amazing, rare and challenging:
- Amazing in such a way that so many riders could get together for this cause
- Rare that so many so many people came out to support this; People in robes at 6am drinking their morning coffee saying thank-you and a whole street of neighbors playing different types of music just for our ride. Who does that ?
- Challenging to myself - Being alone on the course somewhere 40 something miles away from P-Town and I hadn’t seen anyone in, felt like forever. In a somewhat hilly, secluded area without any homes around. My mind starts thinking - Should I continue ? Could I go on ? Suck it up Stadtman…you’ve already done 150 miles and there should be a water stop up here somewhere…I continued pedaling, sure enough the “Party Stop” was just ahead. Exactly what I needed to get my head and spirits raised!
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2018: This year I am riding with My SISTER-in-LAW: Mary Beth (Hayes) Eichorn !!!
These two “pedaling partners” had quite a trip – check out the pictures from the ride !!!!
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2017: OKAY, Let's do this again !!!!!
Two years ago really wasn't 'my' year. Had to break down and see an orthopedist for the first time, got a cortisone shot and then sleeping with that special boot for 3 months and then the inserts for my shoes. I thought my life was completely over, even before turning 40!
Middle of the year had a few bumps in the road, but overall good: Transitioned to find a new job, took a few weeks off to get some things done around the house and went away with my family for a great trip.
Then BOOM - Claire made her entrance into my families life. I know all of you have heard the story, so I don't want to bore you with all of the details, but I do want to say that I am so thankful for the support system that I have: My wife that slept on the floor next to me for how many weeks just to make sure that I didn't fall out of the recliner, kept up with my medication regimen and keep me company while binge-watching all those silly shows. For watching over me while taking my first steps outside on the driveway and then eventually pushing me to hit the nature trails just a few weeks later. And of course, the one that has been carting not only my butt but also our two boys for the last 6 months - I cannot put into words.
And yes my two boys that cooked, got me things when I couldn't get around, sharing stories about their days and just being there when I was down. And there are also all of the in-laws and friends that were there to offer rides, visits, support and just about anything else that we could have needed. Very thankful for each and everyone one of you !
So here we are again, I am again asking for your support in helping me raise just a few bucks to support the PanMass. Give a buck, give two - if you have read this and don't hit that donate button, I'll send you a picture of me in my bike shorts! Just kidding, I wouldn't send that to my worst enemy! :)
Oh wait - did I mention that Sue is riding next to me - even after all of that ?
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2015: Did someone seriously forget to register ? :(
And miss the cutoff date ?
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2014:
A memorial for my grandfather as he is always in my thoughts. Pushing thru, never complaining and always willing to lend a hand; 16-April-2014
Updated my riding cause from; 'Honor' to 'In Memory'
Lost my Grandfather to 'Boney metastases from the bladder and prostate cancer' at least that is what is noted on the death certificate as the cause. Only, I seem to remember it slightly different:
A man that never complained and had a pain tolerance I could only wish for went to the hospital one day for an upper-back pain that ‘was bothering him for a little while.’ That upper-back was actually his lower back that was broken because it had become so brittle from cancer. His health took a turn for the worse a day later when he picked up some infection and by the end of the following week he was being discharged to home hospice. Two days later he passed. It all happened so fast.
Al was the wisest, most thoughtful, calm, loving gentleman a grandson could hope for. I spent a lot of time as a young boy with him working alongside him as an apprentice. I can remember him saying to me “You don’t have to be the smartest one in the room, just make sure that you know a little bit about everything.” I never fully understood and appreciated that statement until years later.
My sons were so fortunate to have spent time growing up with him in their lives.
