Why do I ride...
This started for me when I was 13 years old. We found a family member, a cousin, had cancer. I knew cancer was a bad thing but thought he would get better. As the weeks passed I was told of all the medical procedures he had to endure. My paraents did not want me to see him in the hospital but I watched and felt the despair in the faces of my parents, aunts, uncles and other cousins. In the next few years a very close friend's mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, she fought it off but they later found tumors in her brain. I will never forget the phone conversation I had with this close friend when he told me they found the brain tumor.

Years later we received a letter from another cousin, Ken Daniels (who is doing his 16th ride this year), asking for support for his PMC ride. I was very proud of him and thought it was a great cause. I wanted to ride, I wanted to do what ever I could to help but I was not able to ride at the time. So I donated to his ride.

In recent years I have been able to find the time to train, thank you to my wife Diane who sometimes reluctantly puts up with it.

But really, the PMC is not about riding the bike. It is about a cause. The ride is the celebration. We have lost so many family and friends over the years, including most recently my mother-in-law, Lena a generous and thoughtful person and loving grandmother. We have an 8 yr old family friend who won his battle with cancer in 2015, he is cancer free. This victory is due in part to generous donations from supporters. In 2013 and 2015, I rode among those who lost precious lives. I know this because they wear pictures of them on their backs during the ride and it can be very emotional. This year again I will see pictures of children on the backs of some people who you would never expect to ride 192 miles in 2 days. I could not have more respect and admiration for someone who's desire outweighs their physical limits.

I ride because it breaks my heart to see a sick child.