PMC or My Brother Rocks

My brother is my hero because he overcame cancer (11 years ago!) and helps others with cancer by riding his bike every year. This year he rode in his 8th Pan Mass Challenge which is a 2 day bike ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown (192 miles). The PMC raises money for cancer research. Before he rode the PMC, he rode the Lance Armstrong ride in Austin, Texas. That was 100 miles in one day. The second year, my mom, dad, sister and I all went to cheer him on. It was a most amazing trip. Here we are at a rest stop with him. (Sally's umbrella was to protect her from that hot Texas sun).

Tommy rides for a team called Team Lick Cancer. Here is a smattering of their t-shirt designs worn by his biggest fans.

Here we are the other day cheering him on at the Nickerson State Park rest stop. Doesn't it kill you that he doesn't even look winded and this was 1/2 way through day 2?!

One of the benefits I get from him riding his bike on this great team is that he rides with a bunch of people who we both went to high school with! Celebrating at the finish in Provincetown on Sunday, I got to have a mini reunion with 3 handsome classmates. Rich, this is a shout out to you because you actually asked if I was going to write about you and this! I love when people tell me they read what I write.  :)

One of these years I hope to ride the PMC with him, but right now I am happy being his biggest cheerleader!!

Lick Cancer

As I had mentioned before, my brother rode in the Pan Mass Challenge this weekend. That is riding a bike from Sturbridge Mass. to Provincetown, Mass. It was 192 miles over 2 days. His team of about 35 men and women was called Lick Cancer and their symbol was a Rolling Stones tongue.

He raised over $7500 for Dana Farber Hospital, therefore getting to wear the special "heavy hitter" pants on day one. He rocks and I just wanted everyone to know how proud of him I am!
Yay, Tommy!!

PMC

We are breaking into Sue's mini vacation to bring you this most important announcement! My brother, my mom, my nephew....all cancer survivors. My brother has taken this and spun it (no pun intended) into a good deed! He is riding the Pan Mass Challenge for the second year in a row, August 2 and 3rd. It is a 180 mile bike ride where he becomes one with the seat on his bike. The Pan Mass raises money for the Dana Farber Cancer institute in Boston. Discoveries here help people all over the world. He is looking to raise $7500 and become a "heavy hitter" for the 2nd year in a row. He has raised quite a bit, but still could use your help. If you would care to donate to his hemroids, I mean to his ride through the beautiful state of Massachusetts, please copy and paste this: www.pmc.org/egifts/giftinfo.asp?EgiftID=TC0125 Thank you so much!!!!!

Ride Like the Wind

Thank God I don't have to type with my thighs tonight! Yeah, 27 miles on my bike with the 5th graders today has done me in. "The ole body ain't like it used to be". However, I did it and did it respectably. I think I went up a few notches in K's eyes. I know she impressed me! I knew she could ride a horse for 27 miles, no problem, but I was a little worried about the bike. Not only did she do the ride, she made it to Hip Hop dress rehearsal even! Here is our day in a nutshell, minus the 50 other kids and 30 or so "helper "teacher/parents.
The bikes, fresh and waiting for their riders!
Riders, start your motors! I mean legs!
My kooky aunt sent this helmet cover to K. I decided to wear it. It provided people with much humor!
You would think she was the only one on the ride. Not true. And hey, yay me, I took this while riding and holding the camera!

13.5 miles and we made it to lunch!

K, cousin C and Newfie Lily at the lunch stop.
K and me, getting psyched for the ride back!
And we're off! I cracked up at what some of the kids were wearing. Some of the girls were wearing jean shorts or jean capris. Some kids had on fleece. It was a beautiful 65-70 degree day. Some real bikers wore "the shorts" ( I wish I had me a pair of those!). We wore PMC ride shirts donated by Stop and Shop. The PMC is the Pan Mass Challenge, a Mass fundraiser for cancer. And here is K's trick she picked up along the way from one of the parents (thanks Jeff!).
It is called highway riding. She was real swervy while trying this which made me oh so nervous. I did learn that when K is angry or frustrated, she rides real hard. She wasn't mad at me, but one of her friends kept riding ahead of her. No wonder her legs are tired tonight! I have 2 more years to practice before B gets to do this! I don't think I will start tomorrow, though!