Putting on my thinking cap

I'm currently undecided as to where this blog will go next, but I have a few ideas... stay tuned :)

What a ride

September is already here, the weather is starting to cool down (perfect for long weekend rides) and I'm beginning to crave hot pumpkin spice lattes. It's hard to believe that the PMC was over a month ago and I still haven't recapped my weekend. It was a fantastic experience and I'm already planning on signing up for another year. Who's with me?

Friday before the start Kevin and I -- loaded down with all of our gear and bikes -- braved the MBTA and rain to meet up with the rest of the Bruins team at the TD Garden. We packed our stuff into the Bruins hummer, received a goody bag with the Bruin's jerseys and some SWAG, took a team picture, and boarded the bus to Sturbridge.

{Team "Before" picture with the Bruin's Hummer}

When we arrived at the PMC Village, the rain was coming down in buckets, but not even soaking wet clothes and puddles could dampen the palpable excitement in the air. There were thousands of people checking in, meeting up with old/new friends, drinking free Harpoon beer (DEFINITELY a big part of the weekend), and just having a good time. It's hard not to feel part of something bigger than yourself in an environment like that...

{All of the bikes, ready for Saturday morning!}

Saturday morning we set out at 5:30 am and rode off into the mist. It was unbelievable how many people were out along the route at that time of the day cheering everyone on. The first 24 miles FLEW by (I never thought I would type a statement like that - ha). When we pulled up to the first water stop I almost considered skipping it (many of the cyclists do). We quickly used the restroom, grabbed a few snacks, and got back on the road.

{So many PMC jerseys}

{Feeling great at 24 miles}

There were quite a few hills on the first day, as expected, but the adrenaline and occasional bagpiper got me through. The melancholy strains of the pipes mixed with morning mist make for an inspiring and surreal climb. Beats the spinning room any day! By the time we reached the lunch stop I was still feeling great. We met up with Aunt Nancy who was riding from Wellesley to Bourne along with my Aunts and Grandmother. So great to see them cheering us and everyone else on!

{Devoted and dedicated fans}

{Lunch time!}

By the time I started to feel fatigued, we were in Bourne! I felt like a new person after a long shower (it was so nice to wash away the salt and sweat!) and massage from the Bruins personal sports masseurs (fancy, I know). Dinner was carbalicious and by 8:30pm I was fast asleep in the Mass Maritime library. Riding 110 miles will do that to you I guess!

{Post day-one... we did it!}

Sunday's ride started again around 5:30 and it definitely took me 15 miles to warm up. Going over the Bourne Bridge was really cool, but I was a little nervous when we were riding along the Cape Cod Canal because I felt so sluggish! The first major hill helped me get focused and I really started to enjoy the rolling hills that make up most of the second day. The key is to get up enough speed on the downhill so that you can get halfway up the next hill before you have to start working hard again.

{A little tired, but ready to take on day two}

I spent a lot of day two riding with several members of the Bruins team. It felt cool to be in a line of about 8 cyclists and my average speed was up around 16-18 mph! Thing got a little dicey when two of our riders collided, sending Abby to the hospital with a broken collar bone. I was at the back of the line when it happened and it was not fun to watch. Luckily everyone ended up being ok and we were able to continue on. After the second water stop and a nice long rest, we rode for several miles on the Cape Cod rail trail before joining back up with Route 6.

{The team}

I don't think I ever realized the cape is so hilly! Even though the second day is 30 miles shorter, it doesn't feel like it! And, because Kevin and I were on hybrids for the ride, we had to put in a lot more effort to keep pace with the rest of the team. The scenery was beautiful though and all of the spectators cheering motivated my legs to keep spinning. The last 15 miles felt like 50 and I was so very thankful when I crossed that finish line. I was totally maxed out.

Kevin's parents met us in Provincetown and we all went to Friendly's to celebrate. Well, we actually went to "Mandy's Friendly Restaurant" which used to be a Friendly's five years ago. I wonder how often they actually update Google maps because it still said Friendly's! Luckily the menu was almost identical and after filling my belly with deliciousness I fell fast asleep dreaming of PMC 2010, and lived happily ever after, THE END.

Well, I don't really remember what I dreamed about, but that sounded good, didn't it?

Pan-Mass Challenge’s Starr spokesman for important cause - The Boston Globe

Pan-Mass Challenge’s Starr spokesman for important cause - The Boston Globe

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11 Days...

...until I check in at Sturbridge, pick up my official PMC jersey, and attempt to get a good night's rest before our 5:30 am start.

I had dinner tonight with my aunt Nancy -- a 6-year veteran of the PMC and Wellesley to Bourne rider this year -- and we spent most of the night chatting about what an incredible experience it is! And I quote: "It's the best thing I have ever done in my life." With that kind of a review, I can't help but feel super excited (squeee!).

An Eight Hour Tour

90 miles? No problem.

I wouldn't say it was an easy ride -- miles 60-80 were verrrry slow due to the repetitive scenery in the state forest -- but I felt like I had extra energy at the end, and experienced minimal soreness the next day. S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

I actually think that one of the biggest challenges we faced was trying to find an exciting 90-mile route on an island that is less than 30 miles wide!

The weather was perfect: partly cloudy but not too hot with patches of fog that kept things interesting. One minute we were basking in the sun and the next minute it felt like we had just ridden into an industrial refrigerator. Very cool -- literally...

{A break at 41.5 miles - Aquinnah Cliffs}

Having made it through the longest training ride, my nerves about the ride itself are all but gone. Especially when I think about the adrenaline that will be pumping through my system during the big event.

Time to taper... T-2.5 weeks!

"Cos we're all in this together..."

Lately, whenever I think about the PMC, Ben Lee's song "We're All In This Together" inevitably pops into my head:



And it's true, we're all in the fight against cancer together. We may not be able to cure cancer tomorrow or in 5 years, but I believe that with every dollar I raise and every mile that I ride, we get a little closer. In less than a month I will be riding my bike for two days with 5,000 people who feel the same way. And that, my friends, is so exciting!

If you wanna be in this with me, make a gift to my PMC Paceline page. They changed the interface so now you can make a donation in someone's name and a little bike with your name above it will appear. Right now, I'm all alone! Ben Lee would not approve.

22 days and counting...

Circa Nineteen Ninety-Awkward Phase

This gem of a photo was taken during one of our first family bike rides on the Vineyard. I'm on the left rocking my favorite Limited Too shirt and I think some shorts from Land's End. I still have that mountain bike.

Paradise North: Martha's Vineyard

For almost half my life, I have been spending (part or all of) my summers on the cape and Martha's Vineyard. It started out with weekend family bike rides along the Cape Cod canal and now I get to spend summer weekends at a little slice of heaven my parents call "Paradise North" -- our house outside Edgartown, MA.

Last weekend I went on a great 40-mile training ride around the island. There are several scenic bike paths that transverse the entire island making it easy and safe to explore the island on two wheels. This time I started in Katama, rode along State Beach into Oaks Bluff, up to Vineyard Haven, and then looped around West Tisbury and back:

It was a great ride, I felt fast when the wind wasn't blowing, and am getting more confident on the downhills. One lesson learned: hydrate and eat before I feel hungry or else my blood sugar might drop too low! I felt pretty sick (a.k.a. "bonked") after the ride, but thanks to a few Starbursts from Ingrid, I was back to normal in no time.

On Thursday I am heading back over and will do two big rides this weekend - 90 and 50 miles - that will take me "up island" to Aquinnah. There are some breathtaking cliffs and more challenging terrain. With decent weather in the forecast and lots of ground to cover it already looks like this is going to be a fantastic weekend -- I can't wait!

Happy Fourth of July :)

Partying for a Cause

Two weeks ago Sweetwater cafe donated their bar to Kevin, me, and over 70 of our friends and co-workers for an 80s party/PMC fundraiser.

{resting between games}

{Jeff, Meghan, and Chen}

{taking a break from the action}

The event was structured around a beruit (beer pong for some) tournament and we had 36 teams participate. As the theme was 80s movies, the ghostbusters, karate kid, crocodile dundee, and Ferris Bueller all made an appearance.

{they love the 80s}

{ghost busters!}

{karate kids}

We had some great prizes donated from local organizations including Zipcar, the Red Sox, Vineyard Vines, Boston Sports Club, and Sam Adams. The victors (alas, I was eliminated in the second round and didn't do well in the losers bracket) won a 12-month supply of Sam Adams beer.

{the bully from "Just One of the Guys" and Elliot from "ET"}

{the prize table}

{Tad and Meg}

Everyone had a great time and the evening raised a grand total of $1,970 dollars. That puts both Kevin and me a quarter of the way towards our final goals of $4,200.

Thanks to all who came out and a special thanks to Pete (the emcee) and Colin who helped organize the event. Looking forward to more like it!

{Blues Brothers, aka Colin and Pete}

Long ride recap

Riding 60-miles in the city turned out to be quite a challenge. We started in Brookline, rode through the city into South Boston and then completed 7 laps around the Southie beaches/Castle Island. The day was absolutely gorgeous but there was an increasingly heavy headwind for most of the time. I lost some energy after 15 miles, but was able to push through and finish strong. I blame a lack of proper fuel. A rushed and (DELICIOUS) iced coffee from Joseph's Bakery don't exactly cut it when riding for 5 hours. Oops! I love biking in Boston -- it's always an adventure:

{Scary stairs down from the BU bridge that almost ended our bike ride 55 miles early}

{ZOMG it's the Zakim Bridge!!!}

{Skin cancer prevention}

{The Castle Island loop has a great view of the city}

{Exhausted and ready for a nap... or a cupcake}

Rocking the 15-minute commute

This week I started biking to work. Okay, it's only day 2, but I LOVE it already! Rather than taking the green line to Hynes (hoping for a seat and minimal delays), waiting for the CT 1 (again hoping for minimal delays and sane bus-mates), and then walking through MIT; I just hop on my trusty Trek, head down Beacon Street, across the river, and I'm at work in a third of the time. It's so nice to have more control over my commute. Hmmm... must find a way to get this nice weather to stick around...

221,760 feet on a Sunday

I had planned to ride Saturday morning before seeing Star Trek in IMAX (amazing movie by the way even if you aren't a Trekkie) but woke up late and didn't end up getting on the road until over 24 hours later -- I'm always trying to pack too many activities into the 48-hour period between Friday and Monday.

{gratuitous Chris Pine photo}

A while back, I found 15 great bike rides on Boston.com and was excited to finally be able to try out a route. Kevin and I did a variation of the Reservations ride, starting out in Norwood and riding through Walpole, Dover, and a little bit of Millis. There were tons of cyclists who had the the same idea and with some challenging hills, very few cars and lots of trees/farms I can see why it is a popular route for those on two wheels.

{Ready to go}

Our ride ended up being over 42 miles since we missed an important turn -- but thanks to my trusty iPhone and a complex bell communication system we completed the ride in one piece and had a great time! Being outside the city makes SUCH A DIFFERENCE. I have a new appreciation for smooth/pothole-less roads. Amazing!

{nary a cabbie or sinkhole in sight}

I felt pretty tired by the end of the ride but I wasn't sore at all the next day and I felt like James Bond... ready to Ride Another Day (har, har, har).

Crickets...

I know it's been a little quiet around here lately (for the three people who actually read this blog) -- I've been on a few shorter rides since my fall but I'm definitely more nervous than before. Trying to get my confidence back up (GO ME!). This weekend marks the official beginning of my training, so from now until August 1st I'll be doing long rides every weekend. Expect lots more posts and pictures (of me, bikes, and most definitely dogs).

And they all fell down...

The weather this weekend would have been perfect for a 30-mile bike ride. It was the kind of weekend that helps me remember why on earth I endure the frigid Boston winters. Then, this happened...
At the very end of a wonderful Friday afternoon 13-mile ride, I battled some T tracks in Cleveland Circle and lost. My back tire got caught in some street level tracks when I was trying to make a left-hand turn and I fell over my bike and slid on my hands/inner elbows down the street. Some of the swelling and bruising in my quad has gone down but it's still pretty nasty looking. My hands are healing nicely after a soak in some salty water so I should be back on my bike (which was thankfully unharmed) this weekend.

I'm totally legit now. Too legit to quit.

NB: Kevin also fought some T tracks 50 yards behind me. He also lost. I wish he hadn't, but it was nice to have someone to laugh about it with after the fact.

First "training" ride!

I say "training" because although I was gone for about 3 hours, I only logged a total of 10 miles. But, before you laugh, you should know I made two VERY important stops:

1) Ski Market. When I pulled my bike out of the storage closet, I could easily depress the tire with my pinky (definitely not good). I stood outside calculating how long it would take me to walk to Ski Market when another cyclist from my building pulled up and let me borrow his hand pump. With about 60 psi in my tires I made it to Ski Market and spent some time there getting my bike fitted and my tires filled (I was amazed to find out that they take more pressure than most car tires), and learning about how expensive a hobby cycling can be.

I purchased this awesome BLINKY SUPER FLASH bike light. It's touted as the "Best Tail Light on the PLANET." I can see why. With it, I shall be a rider of the night, fog, and rain. It has two settings, bright and bright strobey light thing. This thing is so intense it's like the sun - if you look at it directly you may go blind (I exaggerate... kind of).
I will be purchasing clips in the near future so get excited for the disaster that I will surely become while learning to use them (the guy suggested I start on the grass in a park).

2) Animal Rescue League Boston. If you know me at all, you know that I have a border-line obsession with dogs. After riding through the city and subjecting myself to the wrath of cabbies and only-in-Boston-potholes, I couldn't go by without stopping in (also, Kevin had never been there). They have some great cats and dogs there so if you are in the market for a pet the ARL is a great place! I am especially in love with a shepherd/lab mix named Duke. He's ten years old but has the energy of a dog half his age (you can't see it very well, but he's the dog I am petting in the picture below). If I could afford it and had enough time I would adopt him in a second.


Despite its brevity, the ride was fun and gave me some good experience riding in traffic (as I said in my first post, I have always been a path and sidewalk kind of gal).


Next up: A REAL ride -- 30 miles -- on Saturday AWAY from the city.

Some of the reasons I am riding...

Another video, this time absolutely relevant to the PMC. A very inspiring 2.5 minutes. BUT, if these photos can make me well up, I'm not sure I want to know what kind of emotional state I am going to be in on August 1st and 2nd. Eeek!

Fenway Fever*

This guy is VERY excited about the Red Sox. I share his enthusiasm but prefer to save dancing like no one is watching for the privacy of my own home/room/foyer... when no one is watching.



*This post is unrelated to the PMC except that the start of baseball season means summer and the PMC are fast approaching!

Some fun facts...

To give you an idea of the impact of the PMC, here are some facts that I found interesting/inspiring:

• This year marks the 30th annual PMC. Since its inception in 1979, it had raised nearly $240 million for Dana-Farber through the Jimmy Fund.
• In 2008, 100% of all $35 million raised by PMC riders went directly to the Jimmy Fund. Not one cent was used for administrative and organizational expenses.
• The PMC generates half of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue.
• Nearly 300 of the 5,500+ riders are cancer survivors or current patients.
• The route I have chosen spans 190-miles and 46 towns, from Sturbridge to Provincetown.
• Funding provided by the PMC supports the efforts of more than 3,000 DFCI faculty and staff members as they make countless advances that have become the standard of cancer care and research.

PMC.org Profile

I updated my profile on the PMC website today. Check it out here.

They are forecasting sun and 50+ degree temps for the weekend. Time to start planning a route. I'm not sure who (if anyone) reads this, but if you have any suggestions for bike-friendly routes around the city please comment!

Registration? Check. Let the fun begin...

Although the fundraising goal initially gave me pause (especially with this economy), I decided to commit to just do it and ride in the 2009 PanMass Challege. I have always enjoyed long bike rides (and long walks on the beach), but this is a real, road race, for one hundred and ninety miles. in. only. TWO. days. This is going to be a (fun) challenge, and I am looking forward first and foremost to overcoming my fear of riding on the road. Until about three weeks ago, I preferred separated bike-only, no motorized vehicles allowed, paths to the 6-inch wide death strip they call a "bike lane" here in Boston.

Yes, there is a lot of work to be done.

I am so excited to be a part of this year's event - raising money for the Jimmy Fund and riding for a cure. Sad, but true, cancer affects everyone -- directly, indirectly, or both. I can't think of one person in my life who has not known someone or watched someone fight a battle with cancer. It is a mean and often unforgiving disease. In these uncertain times, I believe that it is more important than ever to contribute to the care, treatment, and prevention of cancer. However you are able to offer your support -- in whatever amount -- I appreciate everything you do. So, check out the links on the right side of this page, donate, and check back in often. I will be posting on here regularly as the weather starts to get better and I begin training in earnest outdoors(!). I am expecting the road ahead of me will twist and turn, dip and rise, just like it will all the way to Provincetown in August.