#WhyIPMC guest blog by Michael Johnson, 30-year rider
My uncle introduced me to cycling in my mid-20's and in the spring of 1988, I found myself working a part time job at a bike shop in Scituate, MA when I came across a small brochure about a "challenge" to bicycle from Sturbridge to Provincetown.
Having reconnected with a high school buddy (Steve Waisgerber) and discovering he had also recently taken up cycling, I excitedly pitched the idea of doing the ride.
I didn't know much about cancer at that point in my life but my grandmother was a 25+ year breast cancer survivor at the time and took a keen interest in our cycling challenge, so much in fact that she drove along the route in her car that first year and set up impromptu water stops for us out of the trunk of her car. That first ride was difficult (mid 90's both days) but more importantly it was life changing. 37 years later, Steve is a cancer survivor and riding strong. My Mom, sister and uncle are all cancer survivors and avid PMC supporters. I also met and fell in love with a rider (Taryn Walsh) who will be riding in her 12th PMC this summer. The PMC has been an integral part of my life for almost 4 decades and I still get genuinely excited to train, fundraise and ride with the people I care for the most!
