Andrew Tarnell, our Dad, began riding in the PMC in 2009, at the behest of his close friend Peter Shaw. He saw the ride as an exciting challenge, and a fun way to spend time with a good friend. His excitement for this challenge was inspiring enough to convince me to join him and Peter (a longtime veteran of the ride) that summer 7 years ago. While that first year wasn’t perfect (he took a spill that netted a nice bit of road rash and a few new friends and riding companions) the sense of accomplishment and triumph while finishing cemented it as a lifelong passion.
His passion and excitement continued to impress his family, eventually convincing all three of his kids to join him in the ride. Those years, riding with his kids, brought no end of joy to him. He took a certain satisfaction; not only from having his kids with him, but from showing them that he could still outride them all.
In 2013 the PMC took on a new meaning for Dad, after he was diagnosed with lung cancer in July of 2013. His passion for the challenge and the camaraderie of the event took on new meaning in the face of the new challenge in his life, and the true goal of the ride became that much more pronounced in all of our minds. After two long days, of struggling though extreme fatigue and discomfort, our Dad completed his last PMC, surrounded by close friends and his three kids. In his mind, and the minds of all those around him, he would return again to conquer the 200 mile ride. That couldn’t possibly be his last. Sadly, that final trying ride was his last, as he passed away in April of 2015. While it was a grueling ride, for all involved, it truly embodied the spirit of our Dad. He worked hard, never gave up, and was fericely loving to his friends and family. While it was and is a hard memory to think on, we will al hold it close to our hearts.
In 2015, we created Team ACT to make sure that 2013 wasn’t our Dad’s final ride. We will carry him with us through every grueling mile, and we will keep him alive in our hearts and minds. There will be smiles and there will be tears, but most importantly we will rejoice in the knowledge that he rides along with us.
“The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'.”
