Why I PMC - Paul Weber

Guest blog by Peter Weber

My first PMC ride will be in 2016 

I left my house early the morning of June 24, 2015, to meet my PMC riding partner, Peter Walther, for a 35-mile training ride.  We planned to complete our ride so that we could both be at work feeling the euphoria of a great bike ride to start the day.  Both of us are first time riders in the PMC. 

Although Peter and I are Massachusetts natives, we met and currently live in Northern Virginia – and most important, we share a love of cycling stemming from our New England roots.  Our paths were a bit different -- Peter was a bike racer who worked in a shop in Acton; and my first century was a Brookline to Hyannis meandering trip that hooked my passion for long rides with the finish line on the Cape! 

Both of us have known of the PMC for years and had friends and relatives who have ridden multiple times.  Late last year, a “wouldn’t it be great to ride it ourselves!” discussion after a few too many glasses of wine, turned into the two of us registering for the ride on the first available day in January. 

When I clicked the register button that day, the PMC for me was the opportunity to challenge myself athletically, effectively riding two centuries in a row, and to come home in the middle of the summer for a vacation on Cape Cod, after the completion of the ride.   The fund raising was more of a requirement than an opportunity to participate in the PMC mission. 

But slowly that all began to change. I started to embrace the tools that the PMC provided - training schedules, my personal donation page, and even an orientation at the Needham headquarters.  I flew up from VA to Boston mid-week for the orientation and had an opportunity to meet other first time riders as well the leadership team of the Pan Mass Challenge, including Billy Starr.   

I returned home with a renewed mission.  The story told by Billy Starr of his mom’s passing from cancer touched me, and thoughts of my Aunt Barbara’s (our family’s matriarch) passing from ovarian cancer in 1983 consumed me as I boarded the plane home.  My wife Debbie, returned from a routine mammogram in 2013, only to be called back because the doctor did not like something they saw on the image.  After a lumpectomy, relentless radiation, and now a five-year regimen of tamoxifen, the outlook for Deb is bright.  My mind wandered through all my friends and family members who have faced this awful disease.  Some taken far too young, others continuing brave battles, and some who may even have ‘beaten’ cancer back to lead fulfilling healthy lives.   

Raising money to contribute to Dana-Farber, to help defeat cancer and to improve the survival of cancer patients became my primary mission, and fueled my desire to get on the bike as well.   Already in pretty good physical condition, I was ready to kick up the miles after several weeks of short and medium length rides to include long rides near our lake house in rural North Carolina where the rides are characterized by no shoulders, unforgiving drivers, and no leash law, meaning at least 2-3 frightening, and maybe even comical moments, each time out.  I was on a mission.  I became more and more ‘aware’ of my sense of duty to those who were supporting me – to those who were giving so unselfishly.  It all made sense – the PMC weekend in August was going to be my reward for all the hard work I was putting in, where I could celebrate with all those who so graciously supported me. 

A few weeks ago I rode 70 miles in 90-degree heat, including a 3,000-foot vertical, and punctuated by an amusing chase by an elderly German Shepherd.  At the end of the ride, I felt great, knowing I could have gone much further.  My donations had just topped $10,000 and I was feeling ready for the PMC ride, ahead of schedule.  More than 70 individuals had already supported me, and I was very excited to be part of the PMC family. 

Back to the following Wednesday, June 24th… 

Though most of my training had been done alone, my PMC partner joined me that morning, and we set out.  There were serious storms the prior night.  After 25 hilly miles on bucolic country roads we entered the W&OD bike path for a few miles, heading toward home.  By now you may have figured out where this is going. 

There were trees down blocking the path, we had to ride the parallel dirt path to get around them, and as I emerged back onto the asphalt my front wheel washed out…very abruptly.  I went down for the first time in 30 years, still clipped in.  

Fast forward.  I fractured my femur in three places and had surgery to insert a titanium rod and two pins.  To quote my surgeon, “you took a major hit”. 

My dream to ride the 2015 PMC ended that morning, but as my head cleared and the reality of the situation began to settle in, I vowed not to feel sorry for myself.  Broken legs heal.  I had already discovered that the PMC is really about raising the money for Dana-Farber, so that cancer patients heal, and the funded research helps to eliminate cancer entirely.   

I cannot lie.  A big part of me will be sad that first weekend in August when so many riders set out to culminate months of training and fundraising.  A part of me feels that I am letting down my riding partner, Peter, and my donors.  But mostly I think I will feel proud.  Thanks to the absolutely amazing response from my supporters, my team will be making a significant PMC contribution regardless of my ride status.

I promise that when I am lucky enough to heal, I will be back in 2016.  Hopefully finishing the ride itself, but more important, making another healthy team contribution to defeat cancer. 

I promise that when I am lucky enough to heal, I will be back in 2016.  Hopefully finishing the ride itself, but more important, making another healthy team contribution to defeat cancer. 

PMC note: special thank you to Kelly White for her assistance