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Comments: It had cooled off over night and the day was looking really fabulous! Today's ride would start with a stretch along the canal on the bike path which was really beautiful. We caught up and passed a few slower riders here and got a good pace line going with the three of us. Marji and I were feeling particularly zen with each other and seemed to be in the same zone. This would last the entire day and we would ride together, each taking a turn pulling pretty much the entire ride. We rode over the Bourne Bridge! Just amazing!! Also, the first climb of the day! Day two was supposed to be the easier day in terms of the topography, but I have to say that it was much tougher than day one! It was really just one hill after the other the entire way. It was pretty much rolling hills all the way to Brewster/Orleans where we stopped for more water and gatorade. Again Marji and I rode together for the entire day with Lynne just a bit behind us. We just were in a zone together and had figured out how to work together to maximize our speed. Again, folks lined up all along the route so appreciative of our effort! Day two was very scenic. The first half of the ride took us through Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis and Brewster. We still had the benefit of shade cover in most places and it was nice and cool as it was still early in the morning. About 40 miles in, we stopped at Nickerson State Park rest stop. Huge crowd here cheering and encouraging and thanking us. Water, gatorade, food, cold clothes, ice to sit on if you wanted and places to dunk your head to cool down. At this point we got call from Marji's husband and our friends Rene and Sean. They were going to surprise us some where along the route, but we had no idea where. We were a little worried about Lynne as we expected she would catch up at the rest stop, but hadnt yet. Called her cell and figured if she had a problem she would have called one of us. We really wanted to keep moving as fatique could easily set in at this point. So many riders out there we knew she wasnt alone and there was great support too if you got a flat or had a problem with your bike so we pressed onward. When we left Nickerson, we were on a mission to get this ride done! We were also excited about seeing Marji's family and Rene and Sean along the way. It would be a little while but we finally found them on the Cape Cod rail trail! What a rush! We were cookin' on that thing! We saw that Rene had a made a really cool sign that said "Go Team Betty" This will make more sense when I get pics. Turns out the motel for which i had made accomodations for my husband and son and which i gave to my friend Rene and her husband Sean were right on that bike path. So all they had to do was walk over to see us going by. Perfect! What a rush to see them all there! Rene and Sean had come up so that they could spectate and then take me home Sunday night. Great friends to make this all work for me! Sean brought his bike and ended riding from Eastham to P-town with Lynne. Marji and I made to the last water stop at Wellfleet around mile 57. We agreed that we would try and wait for a bit to see if Lynne would catch up so we could all finish together. It was very hot at this point and were on the outer cape now where there was little shade and a pretty good headwind. The scenery out here was just gorgeous, but seeing the sand dunes and the water and feeling the headwind just made the ride seem harder. And it was really hilly!! The hills just never ended. At Wellfleet, we hung out for bit and were just starting to give up hope on hooking up with Lynne when she suddenly appeared in the crowd!! The jersy made her easy to spot!! We couldnt believe we had found her!! Took a few more minutes to let her get what she needed. Sean was there too and had ridden from Eastham. The four of us left together to finish the last 17 or so miles. Again Marji and I were in this zone together and we just were on a mission to giterdone! We forged ahead knowing that Sean would stick with Lynne. These last 17 miles were really tough. More hills out of Truro and very little shade. Busy highway. Crazy headwind. Marji and I just cooked, passing everyone. We were on a mission!! Still crowds of people along the way cheering, thank you's, pic of people to be remembered. Heartfelt thank yous from survivors and family. Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! Rene went by again on the highway and we saw her along the road again. Awesome!! We were just riding so strong determined to get to the finish and spurred on by the crowds. We were whizzing by everyone! We finally reached the family finish in P-town-folks lined up a quarter of mile out all the way to the finish. People there to greet us and welcome us to the finish line festivities. Lynne's family, Marji's family and Renee and Sean and a million other very happy folks all there to greet us. Really wonderful! Big festivities to mark the end of the ride. Got some food and water. Enjoyed the atmosphere for a bit and then gathered up for the trip back down to Mashpea/Hyannis area to eat some much better food, a much needed shower and celebration at Lynne's dad's house. Lynne's husband prepared an awesome meal. Got a great massage thanks to Lynne's dad who hired someone to come right to the house! Really nice! Headed home with Renee and Sean around 7 or so after some more pictures and stuff. As we were driving home, I simply could not believe that we had ridden through all these towns that we were now driving through to get home. Seemed like a week had passed since the moring Sturbridge and just couldn't fathom how we had ridden our bikes all the way from Sturbride to P-town in 2 days. Great ride home with great friends who really helped me out this weekend when I really needed them and made the experience even better!!  Post race
Event comments: This is an experience that I will never forget. And, I can honestly say that it is likely I will do it again. The whole experience was so rewarding on so many levels and the cause is one that is so important to so many people. The funds raised are applied 99 percent to the cause. Amazingly well organized and well supported!! Just really awesome!! http://www.pmc.org/egifts/giftinfo.asp?EgiftID=PS0130 http://www.pmc.org/ Last updated: 2007-05-23 12:00 AM
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United States
Pan Mass Challenge
90F / 32C
Sunny
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I was awakened by some guy walking by our door talking ridiculously loud at about 3:45 in the morning. He was on the wrong floor as our floor was only women. We all slept with doors open to the hallway so there could be some flow of air. This guy clearly had no inside voice. I rarely use the f word to early in the morning :).
More giggling and groaning as we all tried to get up and at 'em. We were supposed to be awakened by reveille at 4:15, but we never really heard this…?? The whole place slowly woke up and got very busy. You could hear the click, click, click of bike shoes on the sidewalk outside. Very cool. We got up and proceeded to get into our fresh bike shorts and jerseys. Today, the 3 of us would be wearing our TwinSix pink and black houndstooth jerseys. This jersey is called the "Betty". Hence we refer to ourselves as "Team Betty" This would take on new meaning as the day wore on. Very cool and unique jersey that no one else was wearing so it worked out good and make it easy for us to find each other later in the day.
Packed our bags and headed out to the breakfast tent. Coffee!!! Grabbed an egg and cheese sandwich and banana. Sat and chatted with a couple who were doing the ride together.
You could leave as soon as the sun was up. For some reason it took the three of us a very long time to get our sh*t together. We had to go to the bathroom a million times, pump our tires, get our bags on the right truck so they'd be in the same place we were going at the end. Again, the organization and volunteer support for this event is just amazing.
We finally, got on our bikes well after the sun was up and felt like we were the last people to leave the MMA. It was weird because we were kind of on our own when we started the ride. Anyway, we got underway for day two.