In 1987, I travelled 192 miles just to prove a point. When a friend, who was about to ride in his second PMC, hinted that an overweight accountant could not handle the two-day ride, I immediately signed up. That first year I completed the ride on my old 10 speed bike from high school, wearing cutoff jeans, and quickly discovered why the ride is called a ‘challenge’. I finished that ride and made Heavy Hitter, out fundraising my friend. Today I am training for my 31st consecutive PMC, but I now ride a much better bike and wear proper cycling gear.
In my early years with the PMC, I had never been personally touched by cancer. When asked why I ride, my reply was that I realize how lucky I am to be in good health and to have healthy children. Now my rides are dedicated to the memory of my step-mother, Marcia, and to other family members and friends who have been taken by cancer. I also ride in honor of the growing list of cancer survivors in my life.
As for the friend who said it couldn’t be done – he stopped riding years ago!
Every year we are Closer by the Mile to finding a cure; I am proud to be a small part of that.