Diane & Marty - you both are fine
examples of teammates with determination to help others fight thru pain&
illness . Thanks for scratching the
surface of what I think & feel arriving at Nubble
Lighthose. I had been kept
posted by Ruth - following you on this blog only . Then I read it all
while waiting to witness the joy of what you both did for many who suffer - families of
Cancer. I know now that
many will have some Hope thanks to your efforts an d your trip...the sunlight of the spirit
above was very clear to me that day in York beach. I am so grateful he let me witness you
make it in real time not just read about it. My words could go on forever, but space
does not permit. What you did is truly god given
amazing. Peace, Hope,
Love. To you & everyone your trip will each out to! I love you my friend
who entered my life
in Maine with so much goodness, life, inner & outer beauty, great qualities
too many to list ... My hope is our paths cross sooner than the years gone
by; it's one day at
a time - up to God like
all things in his world. REBOS. XXXI. MD
Marty and Diane,
Marty, what can I say, you are amazing, and
I know I have said it countless times, but you are..You are one of the most
selfless people I have ever met..You have a true love for this sport of ours,
now which you have taken to another level. One which many of us simply dream
of...All I can say, is I wish I could have been with you..And congratulations on
an incredible job well done...
Today the word hero is over used..But used
in the context of what the two of you have achieved these 17 days, and who you
have touched along the way, and the purpose you rode for..You are
Hero's...Taking the selfless act of riding a great distance, in the memory of a
friend, for a noble cause so others may not suffer as he had..Yes you are
hero's..As cyclists, you represent the best of what this sport is...Cyclists as
a rule have big hearts, are compassionate, team oriented, and there is a
camaraderie found on the road, that cannot be found in other sports..Over these
past 17 days, you joined an elite group in our wonderful sport, as well as
became great example of ambassadors,
to what others should aspire to..In both
of your writings, I saw a humbleness of sorts, which is also found in true
hero's..Your focus was true and inspired..Take the time in the coming days to
celebrate what you have achieved..
Diane, thank you for joining Marty on
this journey, and maybe we can share the road sometime in the future..Your
writing was heartfelt and inspiring...Like you I am a New Englander, my cycling
roots came from the roads of NH, Maine, CT, and RI, which you traveled on the
back half of your journey..You and Marty are a great team..These past 17 days
you became a part of a unique fraternity in cycling..Those of us who choose to
ride for others, put the heart back into this sport of ours, from your writing
and your images, I can see you have an incredible heart..What you just
accomplished these 17 days, is a life changing event..You now represent the best
of what this sport is...
You are Hero's my friends...
Cheers!
-Jeff
H.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Reflections On The Journey
Bobbie keeps asking me if what I just accomplished had sunk in as yet and my response has been the same -- I don't feel like I've done anything except ride my bicycle from point A to point B. Just because point A was in Florida and point B was in Maine doesn't necessarily mean I've done anything other people couldn't do as well.
When I first thought about doing the ride, I was on the phone with Roy and told him, point blank, that when he dies, I was going to ride my bike to raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. I had the kind of relationship with him that I could just about say anything I wanted and he knew exactly what I meant. He said, "thanks alot for writing me off already."
My response was that I was not writing him off, his life was no where near the end and that he was going to beat the disease. In fact, when Pam set up a Caring Bridge web site to distribute daily information to everyone about Roy's condition, my job was to keep him laughing, to get his mind off the battle he was going against. Granted the laughter was only for a couple of minutes each day, but it was something that I could do, that I was good at and I know he appreciated it very much.
Then I started telling people about my idea and the more I told, the harder it was for me to back out. Then I started this blog, contacted the MMRF, told my riding buddies in Miami about it and next thing you know, Father's Day, 2012 was upon us and off we went on the first leg into Georgia.
It's all a big blur now -- Georgia melted into South Carolina and North Carolina was the same until we got to the Outer Banks. Then it was into Virginia and quickly thereafter I was departing the ferry in Cape May, NJ to a raucous crowd consisting of Martina and her family with a sign welcoming me.
Diane and I looked at each other and said, can you believe we rode our bikes to New Jersey? The same was said each day as we entered another northern state and look at that, there's the Nubble Lighthouse in York, Me., and Alicia from the MMRF greeting us with a bunch of friends and family.
My friend Jeff in Pittsburgh is a long-time cyclist and he wrote to us often while on the ride. He said this is a life changing experience and that remains to be seen. I know I came across so many people who went out of their way to donate (remember the lady who stopped us and gave us $2 and Neill on the ferry to New York who gave $500?), to take us to dinner (Andy McVey in North Carolina), to ride with us (thank you Carmen, Mike, Diane, Dolores, Cristina, Chris and Wayne as well as Alicia, Betsy, the University of Miami graduate who's name escapes me at this moment and his friend).
Carmen and Jean are two multiple myeloma patients, each fighting to keep healthy and to beat back this disease which I didn't even know existed two years ago. Carmen rode just 3 miles with us the day we left for New York but she will continue to inspire me to make the most of every day I have left on this planet. As for Jean, wow, what can I say. I rode with Mike, her husband, on the ride into Maine and I learned the entire story of how she was diagnosed and how she is coping with it, especially when you consider she has two sets of twins, ages 12 and 9.
Jean says I inspire her -- maybe so. But she is just like Carmen, fighting to make the most of each of her days. Those two, I promise, will be a part of my life for a long time and I know we will stay in touch not only through this summer, but for many summers to come.
Today, July 4th, Diane has already flown home to Orlando and is getting back into her routine, which, unfortunately, calls for her to start looking for a new career after her position was terminated a couple of months back. After close to 3 weeks of driving, Bobbie shifted to the passenger seat and today was her day to spend walking the numerous outlet stores in Kittery. It was a far cry from going from point A to point B, and a lot more fun.
We are heading to the Boston area to see Neil and Ellen, who have the same business up here that Bobbie and I have in South Florida. Then it is to Bristol for a tour of ESPN on Friday before spending the weekend back with my brother and Jill (and more sailing on the river).
By the end of next week, we will be back in our own routine at home and even have our rent-a-dog coming to stay Thursday night (we take care of Allison's dog Madden when we can). Things will be the same -- mow the lawn, take care of the pool, clean the house, book new events and try to work down the debt we've accumulated over the years.
But a couple of things won't be the same: I have a new appreciation for the good health I have and hope to continue to have for many years to come and, sadly, I know now that the ride is concluded, my memory of Roy will start to fade. It is a fact. When both my Mom and Dad passed away, I thought of them many times each day, then it was just once a day, then once a week and so on. It's natural.
Today, I think of my parents and know that what I just accomplished they would be very proud of and that is what makes me happy -- that I continue to do the right things to make my parents proud of me.
PS -- Bobbie will be posting a video of the trip online in the coming weeks so look forward to that and if you haven't had a chance to donate to the MMRF, we would be glad to accept anything you would like to donate. The web site is listed in the heading on this page.
Thank you for reading, contributing and following this ride.
Bobbie and I brought "Roy" along with us the entire way and here we are at the finish.
Roy sent me this lifesize cutout about 15 years ago as his replacement for a new year's eve party we were hosting in Miami. He said he couldn't make it, but would send a suitable replacement. He has been with us stored behind the guest room door for 15 years.
When I first thought about doing the ride, I was on the phone with Roy and told him, point blank, that when he dies, I was going to ride my bike to raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. I had the kind of relationship with him that I could just about say anything I wanted and he knew exactly what I meant. He said, "thanks alot for writing me off already."
My response was that I was not writing him off, his life was no where near the end and that he was going to beat the disease. In fact, when Pam set up a Caring Bridge web site to distribute daily information to everyone about Roy's condition, my job was to keep him laughing, to get his mind off the battle he was going against. Granted the laughter was only for a couple of minutes each day, but it was something that I could do, that I was good at and I know he appreciated it very much.
Then I started telling people about my idea and the more I told, the harder it was for me to back out. Then I started this blog, contacted the MMRF, told my riding buddies in Miami about it and next thing you know, Father's Day, 2012 was upon us and off we went on the first leg into Georgia.
It's all a big blur now -- Georgia melted into South Carolina and North Carolina was the same until we got to the Outer Banks. Then it was into Virginia and quickly thereafter I was departing the ferry in Cape May, NJ to a raucous crowd consisting of Martina and her family with a sign welcoming me.
Diane and I looked at each other and said, can you believe we rode our bikes to New Jersey? The same was said each day as we entered another northern state and look at that, there's the Nubble Lighthouse in York, Me., and Alicia from the MMRF greeting us with a bunch of friends and family.
My friend Jeff in Pittsburgh is a long-time cyclist and he wrote to us often while on the ride. He said this is a life changing experience and that remains to be seen. I know I came across so many people who went out of their way to donate (remember the lady who stopped us and gave us $2 and Neill on the ferry to New York who gave $500?), to take us to dinner (Andy McVey in North Carolina), to ride with us (thank you Carmen, Mike, Diane, Dolores, Cristina, Chris and Wayne as well as Alicia, Betsy, the University of Miami graduate who's name escapes me at this moment and his friend).
Carmen and Jean are two multiple myeloma patients, each fighting to keep healthy and to beat back this disease which I didn't even know existed two years ago. Carmen rode just 3 miles with us the day we left for New York but she will continue to inspire me to make the most of every day I have left on this planet. As for Jean, wow, what can I say. I rode with Mike, her husband, on the ride into Maine and I learned the entire story of how she was diagnosed and how she is coping with it, especially when you consider she has two sets of twins, ages 12 and 9.
Jean says I inspire her -- maybe so. But she is just like Carmen, fighting to make the most of each of her days. Those two, I promise, will be a part of my life for a long time and I know we will stay in touch not only through this summer, but for many summers to come.
Today, July 4th, Diane has already flown home to Orlando and is getting back into her routine, which, unfortunately, calls for her to start looking for a new career after her position was terminated a couple of months back. After close to 3 weeks of driving, Bobbie shifted to the passenger seat and today was her day to spend walking the numerous outlet stores in Kittery. It was a far cry from going from point A to point B, and a lot more fun.
We are heading to the Boston area to see Neil and Ellen, who have the same business up here that Bobbie and I have in South Florida. Then it is to Bristol for a tour of ESPN on Friday before spending the weekend back with my brother and Jill (and more sailing on the river).
By the end of next week, we will be back in our own routine at home and even have our rent-a-dog coming to stay Thursday night (we take care of Allison's dog Madden when we can). Things will be the same -- mow the lawn, take care of the pool, clean the house, book new events and try to work down the debt we've accumulated over the years.
But a couple of things won't be the same: I have a new appreciation for the good health I have and hope to continue to have for many years to come and, sadly, I know now that the ride is concluded, my memory of Roy will start to fade. It is a fact. When both my Mom and Dad passed away, I thought of them many times each day, then it was just once a day, then once a week and so on. It's natural.
Today, I think of my parents and know that what I just accomplished they would be very proud of and that is what makes me happy -- that I continue to do the right things to make my parents proud of me.
PS -- Bobbie will be posting a video of the trip online in the coming weeks so look forward to that and if you haven't had a chance to donate to the MMRF, we would be glad to accept anything you would like to donate. The web site is listed in the heading on this page.
Thank you for reading, contributing and following this ride.
Roy sent me this lifesize cutout about 15 years ago as his replacement for a new year's eve party we were hosting in Miami. He said he couldn't make it, but would send a suitable replacement. He has been with us stored behind the guest room door for 15 years.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Grand Finale
After 17 days, close to 1,400 miles and 13 states, Diane and I were the first (and only) team to arrive on the mat to complete The Amazing Race (East Coast Version).
We didn't win $1 million but collected close to $7,000 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation of which I will now proudly say I am a "family" member.
We rode with Mike all of the way from Nashua to the Nubble Light in Maine, some 75 miles with the usual ups and downs but nothing like we had the previous day. Mike' wife Jean has MM and presently is in good health.
At the finish, Jean was there and gave me a huge bear hug, saying thank you for all that I've done.
I did nothing except ride my bike for a couple of weeks. I told her she and Carmen (from Little Silver) are my inspirations because while my ride is over and I went through some trials and tribulations, including getting hit by a mirror on the first day (you should have heard the explosion of the mirror on my left elbow -- boom! It sounded like my tire blew up, when in fact it was a kid who looked down at the wrong time and his rear view mirror hit my left arm just above the elbow. Nothing broken, but a nice a bruise which has already gone away.) Carmen and Jean are fighting the disease and will continue their struggle tomorrow and the next day and the next day and so on. I get to pack up the car and drive home to Miami. They inspire me to live every day as best as I can because you don't know if there will be another after today.
Today's ride brought the official bike computer total to 1,343 miles of actual riding. That, of course, doesn't count the five ferry rides in North Carolina, from Delaware to New Jersey and from Jersey to Manhattan.
There are so many people to thank, so many things to point out and many topics to cover but after celebrating with Bobbie, a bottle of wine and some fireworks over Portsmouth, NH, it's time to close down for the night.
Thank you everyone for following along on the ride. I have a lot of pictures on Facebook both on my site and Bobbie's page. I will have a couple of more blog additions on this trip before we head back to Florida.
With the Nubble Light behind, I was still strong enough to lift my bike over my shoulder. I think I saw Lance Armstrong do this once and I wanted to replicate it.
Diane and Jean talk about the same hometown they came from -- a small town in New England. Jean and Mike have 2 pairs of twins!!
Mike, Diane and Marty confer on the side of the road as to which direction they should take. Mike had the map, Marty had real time GPS and Diane had an opportunity to take a break.
It was an amazing journey and I thank everyone who participated with well wishes, encouragement and donations to the MMRF.
We didn't win $1 million but collected close to $7,000 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation of which I will now proudly say I am a "family" member.
We rode with Mike all of the way from Nashua to the Nubble Light in Maine, some 75 miles with the usual ups and downs but nothing like we had the previous day. Mike' wife Jean has MM and presently is in good health.
At the finish, Jean was there and gave me a huge bear hug, saying thank you for all that I've done.
I did nothing except ride my bike for a couple of weeks. I told her she and Carmen (from Little Silver) are my inspirations because while my ride is over and I went through some trials and tribulations, including getting hit by a mirror on the first day (you should have heard the explosion of the mirror on my left elbow -- boom! It sounded like my tire blew up, when in fact it was a kid who looked down at the wrong time and his rear view mirror hit my left arm just above the elbow. Nothing broken, but a nice a bruise which has already gone away.) Carmen and Jean are fighting the disease and will continue their struggle tomorrow and the next day and the next day and so on. I get to pack up the car and drive home to Miami. They inspire me to live every day as best as I can because you don't know if there will be another after today.
Today's ride brought the official bike computer total to 1,343 miles of actual riding. That, of course, doesn't count the five ferry rides in North Carolina, from Delaware to New Jersey and from Jersey to Manhattan.
There are so many people to thank, so many things to point out and many topics to cover but after celebrating with Bobbie, a bottle of wine and some fireworks over Portsmouth, NH, it's time to close down for the night.
Thank you everyone for following along on the ride. I have a lot of pictures on Facebook both on my site and Bobbie's page. I will have a couple of more blog additions on this trip before we head back to Florida.
It was an amazing journey and I thank everyone who participated with well wishes, encouragement and donations to the MMRF.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Hardest Day Of The Trip
I knew it when I laid the route out -- today was going to be the hardest day of all. Count 6 climbs of more than a mile each and 2 climbs which were five miles long (when will it end?). I could almost feel my heart jumping out of my chest on that first climb up to about 1200 feet. It was so steep that Diane decided early that it was best to park her bike in the back of the van and ride to the top.
The map said 75 miles but when our turn-by-turn directions had us going on to Mass. 202, I was 100 feet up the ramp when I noticed the sign which said no bicycles. OOOOPS.
Now what?
Well after scrambling for an alternate route and after speaking to a construction worker outside a pizza place we had lunch, we added 18 miles to the day and finished with 93 miles. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it's behind us.
We also got wet for only the third time on the trip, this time a short cloudburst in one of the numerous forests we rode though on our way to Nashua, NH, our final night on the road before hitting Maine sometime around lunch tomorrow.
Once again it was the people we encountered along the way which made our day. Outside a country store just across the New Hampshire line, a Vietnam Vet approached me after reading the banner on the back of the van. He said he lost a number of friends from cancer and was wondering when it was going to hit him as well. He said he admired what we are doing and wished us the best.
The map said 75 miles but when our turn-by-turn directions had us going on to Mass. 202, I was 100 feet up the ramp when I noticed the sign which said no bicycles. OOOOPS.
Now what?
Well after scrambling for an alternate route and after speaking to a construction worker outside a pizza place we had lunch, we added 18 miles to the day and finished with 93 miles. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it's behind us.
We also got wet for only the third time on the trip, this time a short cloudburst in one of the numerous forests we rode though on our way to Nashua, NH, our final night on the road before hitting Maine sometime around lunch tomorrow.
Once again it was the people we encountered along the way which made our day. Outside a country store just across the New Hampshire line, a Vietnam Vet approached me after reading the banner on the back of the van. He said he lost a number of friends from cancer and was wondering when it was going to hit him as well. He said he admired what we are doing and wished us the best.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Welcome To The Rollers
When I laid out the route to Maine, I purposely chose to stick close to the coast because the longer we could delay the inevitable hills, the more mileage we would be able to knock out.
We came across one small roller (a climb quickly followed by a descent) at the border of North and South Carolina and didn't encounter another until the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.
I was telling friends that the highest climb we've had before Manhattan were overpasses across I-95 which we seemed to cross a bunch of times in the south. But today, the rollers began in earnest once we got off of the Farmington Canal Bike Path, which runs from Yale University in New Haven all of the way through into Massachusetts with a couple of short detours in areas the path is being constructed.
That path was in the woods, providing us with great shade on another hot day in the 90s in New England. For close to 2 1/2 hours we rode without having to worry about traffic except on the occasional cross streets. This was the same path we were on Saturday with Alicia and Betsy.
About 20 miles from our hotel, the path stopped and we had to return to the insanity of the local drivers. Interestingly enough, while we were in the make shift parking lot placing the banner on the back of the van, a couple of riders stopped and asked about the trip. They were in need of refreshments so our SAG wagon opened up and provided the pair some cold Gatorade and snacks. Once they learned what we are doing, they decided to give us $10 for the supplies to go toward the cause.
In those 20 miles, we had close to 6 climbs of more than 100 feet with a couple of short run-outs on the other side. Getting used to climbing, but I want my reward -- 30-40 mph on the downside but haven't seen it yet.
Earlier, I mentioned in this blog about a man I met on the ferry to New York who donated $500. I wrote to him and thanked him and told him how much I appreciated his donation.
His response: "Marty -- it's hard to know what are the right things to give to. It seemed like a bit of serendipiuty to see you guys on the board so I just went with whatever it was that caused that. Best of luck on the rest of your ride and congratulations for actually taking up a cause. The world needs more of you guys."
Thank you again Neill.
Put another state behind us today as we crossed into Massachusetts on the Farmington Rail Trail. Now all that remains are New Hampshire and Maine on Tuesday.
We came across one small roller (a climb quickly followed by a descent) at the border of North and South Carolina and didn't encounter another until the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.
I was telling friends that the highest climb we've had before Manhattan were overpasses across I-95 which we seemed to cross a bunch of times in the south. But today, the rollers began in earnest once we got off of the Farmington Canal Bike Path, which runs from Yale University in New Haven all of the way through into Massachusetts with a couple of short detours in areas the path is being constructed.
That path was in the woods, providing us with great shade on another hot day in the 90s in New England. For close to 2 1/2 hours we rode without having to worry about traffic except on the occasional cross streets. This was the same path we were on Saturday with Alicia and Betsy.
About 20 miles from our hotel, the path stopped and we had to return to the insanity of the local drivers. Interestingly enough, while we were in the make shift parking lot placing the banner on the back of the van, a couple of riders stopped and asked about the trip. They were in need of refreshments so our SAG wagon opened up and provided the pair some cold Gatorade and snacks. Once they learned what we are doing, they decided to give us $10 for the supplies to go toward the cause.
In those 20 miles, we had close to 6 climbs of more than 100 feet with a couple of short run-outs on the other side. Getting used to climbing, but I want my reward -- 30-40 mph on the downside but haven't seen it yet.
Earlier, I mentioned in this blog about a man I met on the ferry to New York who donated $500. I wrote to him and thanked him and told him how much I appreciated his donation.
His response: "Marty -- it's hard to know what are the right things to give to. It seemed like a bit of serendipiuty to see you guys on the board so I just went with whatever it was that caused that. Best of luck on the rest of your ride and congratulations for actually taking up a cause. The world needs more of you guys."
Thank you again Neill.
Put another state behind us today as we crossed into Massachusetts on the Farmington Rail Trail. Now all that remains are New Hampshire and Maine on Tuesday.
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