Got up early Saturday morning and headed to Wellesley for the start of my 10th PMC. I was very excited that I have been able to do the ride for 10 years and recovered enough to do the ride after our cycling accident on May 10th. I just barely recovered with the help of some really good friends who rode the weekend before at my pace and helped me to gain back some confidence. Thanks to Ray, Tim, Andi, Ed, and Lori who gave up some of their time and alot of their speed to help me get ready to ride!
I met some of my Westford Wheeler friends and rode with them in honor of our good friend Greg 
Dana who was riding his first PMC as a cancer survivor. The first leg of the ride was very emotional as he worked so hard to complete the ride. He did an amazing job.
After we left Greg at the first rest stop I continued on by myself. It was very strange to be at the tailend of the riders, and maybe a little daunting as well since normally there are so many people cycling you don’t have to think about which way you’re going because there is always someone in front of you. I worked hard to get up further in the pack of riders and felt more comfortable with many cycling around me. Interesting test of my perseverance, making me think of all of those with cancer who feel so alone at times in a crowd of people.
Once I reached Bourne, I was delighted that my friend Eric once again got my tent placed for me. He has no idea how much I appreciate that help. As I am getting older, these gestures make such a big difference. I had a good night sleep despite the pouring rain! It was quite wet and at times I was afraid that the tent would blow away. I was very worried about cycling to P’town in the pouring rain.
Got up early, and headed out. It wasn’t raining for the rest of the ride but it certainly was ominous. As I was cycling along people on the side of the road warned me not to ride on the white painted lines. I didn’t really get why but heard later that because the paint on those lines got slippery with the rain, and cyclists were crashing. For some reason, I avoided the rain that hit some of the other cyclists. Maybe this was a case of not being so fast helped me!
At the end in P’town was my favorite person to see – from Westford as she checked me in! I was so happy that my family was there to congratulate me. They all thought that I weathered the ride quite well. I was glad to have gotten to the end without incident! and was so pleased that all my sponsors and those whose ribbons I wear could be proud that despite feeling like giving up, I kept on going!
Am I ready? Not so sure about it, but as with many things in life, we go forward with trust and hope that all will go well. It’s important to remember that the ride isn’t about me, it’s about all of those affected by cancer, those going through treatments and those who have passed. While I have personally been affected by cancer too many times, the PMC is about the greater community of concern about finding a solution for the disease. The good news is that in the 10 years that I’ve done the PMC many folks have been conquering cancer that may not have lived through it previously. The research is integral, supporting what Dana Farber does, matters. I’ve always said that other than having my own kids and raising them to adulthood, my proudest moments are when I reach Provincetown and conquered my own weaknesses to fulfill a need that I have to make a difference!
Thanks to all who have support my ride with sponsorship with kind words and with kudos!
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