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A Story About The 2000 PMC

August 18, 2000

It was January, 2000. A new millenium, and the 2000 PMC was just eight months away. It would be my 10th Pan Mass Challenge. As in years past, at the start of the year, I tried to set some goals for the event: both fundraising and cycling performance. So far, fundraising goals have been easy. How many years (10), multiply by $1000, and that's the goal: $10000. For 2000, I decided that I wanted to be stronger and faster than ever. So, 2000 became a year of intense training, with new and interesting key rides along the way.

April was the first of these rides. While on the Big Island of Hawaii, I did the first half of the Ironman course followed by a climb through the Kohala mountains, about 83 miles total. This ride was one of the most difficult I have ever done, due to extremely windy conditions. In retrospect, it made me stronger.

May was a very big month. It started with a very wet Grizzly Peak ride. I rode the first 70 miles with 5500 feet of elevation gain, after which I abandoned the ride, as I was soaking wet and shivering. Later in May, we had the other end of the weather spectrum at the Davis Double. This was my first double century - 200 miles in one day. It was a beautiful day, albeit hot - temperatures reached into the low 100s.

I spent most of June and July cycling, as I took a much needed break from the working world.

Davis Double at 106 miles, May, 2000
Davis Double at 106 miles, May, 2000

In early July, I was off to the Lake Tahoe area for the famous Markleeville Death Ride, 129 miles, 15000 feet of elevation gain. Sort of like a Tour de France mountain stage. The ride has 5 climbs over 3 different mountain passes in the 6000 to 9000 foot range - Monitor Pass (both sides), Ebbetts Pass (both sides), and Carson Pass (one side). This was my first ride at such elevations. Thinner air makes for interesting riding. After the Death Ride, with the help of racer friends Tilman and Kyle, I did some of the hardest rides of the year. The goal in July was simply to build strength, then taper down to the PMC. I was usually eating 4 meals a day to replace the calories burned in these rides.

And, of course, July included nightly Tour de France coverage. Our hero, Lance Armstrong, did it again! As Lance rampaged through Europe, I managed to set personal records on a few local climbs, taking over 2 minutes off each. I also had my biggest riding month ever (just under 1000 miles), biggest week (just under 300 miles), and biggest climbing day. July was a busy month.

Throughout the year, I was careful to watch for overtraining. It was, after all, an even numbered year, and I have been cursed in such years, having had knee problems in '92, '94, and '96, and of course, having broken my hip in the crash of 1998. Throughout 2000, I countinued to work on flexibility and strength, and massage therapy has become part of my routine. Flexibility is a little better than last year, but ... I could probably spend a little more time streching - couldn't we all? Anyway, I came to the PMC hopeful that I would break the even-numbered spell.

Before the Ride

We arrived in Massachusetts the Tuesday before the ride. On the way, I read Lance Armstrong's book, "It's Not About The Bike". I highly recommend this to everyone. Massachusetts was overcast, humid, and a little wet. Weather-wise, things were looking grim for the weekend. After reassembling the bike, I went for an easy ride with Nancy, a good friend who was about to ride in her first PMC. I had been coaching Nancy remotely, via email. She would be riding the Wellesley to Provincetown 2-day ride. Our "quick spin" ended up being almost 21 miles. She was definitely ready to ride.

As has become tradition, John Kowaleski, Jon Gordon, and I met at the home of Chris Spear on Friday afternoon. We loaded up the car with bikes and gear, and headed out to Sturbridge. It would be John K's 15th trip; Chris' 12th; Jon Gordon's 3rd. We were lucky to be headed for Sturbridge. In early July, we realized that none of us had booked rooms, and they had been sold out since February, as over 2000 riders were launching from Sturbridge! I contacted about 20 PMC friends, looking for spare rooms, or a spare bed, or some floorspace. Eventually, the Brightmans came to the rescue. Mark would unfortunately need to skip this year's ride, so we fell into two rooms. Next year, we'll probably have 8, as all four of us will be calling to get rooms at the earliest possible time.

Chris, John K, Jon, and Andy at P-Town
Chris, John K, Jon, and Andy at P-Town

After checking in, we grabbed dinner. As usual, I ran into just about everyone I know. Rumor had it that the weather was improving. Opening ceremonies confirmed this, as PMC Director Billy Starr delivered the forecast: sunny and dry! It's something of a blur, but the statistics included that there were about 3000 riders, including 1000 women, 250 who have been riding 10 or more PMC's (yay), and most sigificantly, some 125 "Living Proof" riders - cancer survivors. This was a good segue to the main speaker, Patrick Byrne, a three time cancer survivor. Patrick's complete story is available on the PMC web site, www.pmc.org, but here's a summary. Patrick is CEO of Overstock.com. He had already completed 3 cross-country rides when he was approached by Billy Starr. The deal was: if Billy would raise the PMC's 2000 goal from $9M to $11M, Patrick would do another cross-country ride, raising national awareness for the PMC. Oh. Yeah. And, if the PMC hit the $11M goal, Patrick would throw in another $1M! Wow.

The Dawn of My 10th PMC

The Sturbridge start is divided into 3 classes: fast, less fast, and still less fast. I dropped the bike off at the front of the fast lane. At breakfast, I ran into Sam, whom I've been riding with on and off since 1995. We decided we'd ride together. My goal for Saturday's segment was just under 5 hours. The ride was advertised as 106 miles. That would be a big challenge. After the start, we moved quickly to the front. We have a police escort for the first few miles. Just to say that I led the PMC, I went off the front at 4 miles up a slight incline. Soon after that, the police pulled over, and we were off. I found Alan, whom I had talked to via email before the ride. There was a very big group at the front this year - some 100 riders - with no real organization. So through the first 40 miles, I spent a lot of time just enjoying the draft. We were averaging over 22 at that point. Fast, but not really fast enough to make 5 hours. I tried to push the pace a few times, but there were no takers. At this point, the group had dropped to about 50 riders.

Around 50 miles, I heard a Harley coming, but it didn't pass. I realized that it was Jon Denekamp, who was taking a year off from the ride. We shook hands, which was something of a strange sensation - being connected to a Harley while riding a bike. Jon asked how I was doing. "I feel great! Really strong. After all, here I am, at the front." Between 40 and 60, I did a good bit of
pulling - leading the group through hills and rollers. At that point, I knew I would need a short break at 60 miles, and it was tough knowing I'd lose the front group. At the 60 mile stop, 15 riders continued, the rest got out. I timed the stop. Two volunteers filled 2 of my bottles, I hit the restroom, and was on the road in 4 minutes. But only 3 of us went out - George, Dan and I. 4 minutes behind 15 riders is a lot to make up. At this point, I also realized that Sam was gone. Later, I found out that he twisted his lower back, and couldn't keep the pace.

And then there were 3...

We rode smoothly for the next 15 miles, trading off the lead. There was a little mix-up near the 75 mile stop. I wanted to continue, but somehow got steered into the stop. George and Dan continued. By the time I got back to the main road, I was about 1/4 mile behind. I fell back to my training, and did short intervals - 2 minutes hard, 30 seconds off. I caught them near a pair of riders from the front group. One had a flat, but needed some tools we didn't have. "Let's go!" As I took my turn at the front, with George behind, I noticed that Dan was off the back by about 100 yards. I have to admit that part of me wanted to just go, but we were a team! And, I wasn't sure if we had dropped him, or he had dropped off. So, George dropped back while I refueled. He caught up 2 minutes later indicating that Dan had had it, and needed to back off.
George and Andy at P-Town
George and Andy at P-Town

... Then 2

So, it was down to two of us. George and I traded off for the next 20 miles. After 100, had it been a 106 mile ride, we might have made it by 11 AM. But, it was clear to me that we were not 6 miles from the finish. "How about 11:05?" As we made the 2nd to last turn, the Bourne Bridge loomed on the horizon, and we knew we were done. We picked up the pace a little, crossing the finish around 11:07, after 110 miles.

My clock indicated 5 hours and 7 minutes. The lead group had split, with the first 8 finishing around 10:55, and 3 others a few minutes behind. We finished 12th and 13th, and only 12 minutes behind the lead. This was a personal record for me, shaving 33 minutes off of my best time to date. I was confident that had I not stopped at 60, I would have been right there with the front group.

It was, without question, the hardest I had ever ridden. I was ecstatic. I spent some time talking to volunteers. I had a lot of energy. The PMC is not a race, but I do like to ride hard: to feel it, and to earn the support of my sponsors.

Saturday In The Park

The Mass Maritime Academy had undergone a few changes since last year. There was a lot of construction, and the training ship Patriot State was gone (rumored to have been scuttled at sea). It had been replaced by a Navy troop transport barge. We were on the barge, so I found our room, showered, grabbed a quick snack, and headed for a massage. My left shoulder needed work, and my quads as well. After the massage, I moved from food tent to food tent, trying various things. It's a little like grazing. I would continue to graze throughout the day. As the day continued, I ran into everyone. I first found Chris lunching under the big top. We traded stories of the day. I ran into Harvey, a friend from California, doing his 3rd PMC. Later, I saw my friend Barb, who told me she rode as far as she could, but had to bail out after persistent elbow problems became too much. She did more than she planned, though, which is great.
Andy snoozin after a hard day
Andy snoozin after a hard day

Barb makes it to MMA - cool helmet!
Barb makes it to MMA - cool helmet!

Later, Chris and I went to cheer riders in and wait for Nancy, who we expected would be in around 2:30. Right on time, she arrived, seeming like it was just a walk in the park. She rode her ride plan, and was in good spirits. She had a minor crash, but it was thankfully difficult to find any evidence of that. A spectator took our picture, and hopefully, I'll get that someday, and post it here.

Sunday

Needless to say, I was a little sore Sunday morning. It was tough getting vertical. This year, breakfast was on the barge. By the time John and I got to the line, it was down the gangplank, and around the block, and no special dispensation for barge residents. It seemed like a Clif bar would be an excellent breakfast! John and I started around 5:30 and took a very easy spin for the first 2 miles, to the base of the Bourne Bridge. For the first time in a long time, we were able to see the sun rise over the bridge as it was clear and dry - no fog, and no rain. I took it pretty easy for the first 20 miles, stopping at the rest stop for more breakfast. In the next segment, I came across six or seven riders from the MFS team. MFS is the title sponsor for the PMC, so I took the opportunity to thank them. A few were first year riders, and part of my Sunday ritual is to ride with the new folks and see how they're doing. A few miles before the 40 mile stop, along 6A in Brewster, there's a day camp, and for the last few years, their early morning activity has been to line the road and cheer. (I wish I had a picture...) This year, there must have been 200 or more campers, screaming, waving signs. What a sound. The first year guys were awestruck. I told them this is one aspect of the ride that never gets old. Kudos to the camp for supporting the PMC, and for the campers, who contribute to a major emotional high of the ride.

After the 40, I got in a pace line lead by two tandems. Tandems can go really fast in the flats, and even faster downhill. I was in fourth position, and I could hear the guy ahead of me breathing hard. A gap was forming between him and the tandems. "Can you bridge it?" He didn't think so, so I did. Eventually, it was just me and the tandems. We had some fun. It was a very fast ride from 40 to 60. I divide the last 20 into three sections: everything up through the Truro hills, Route 6 to the Race Point turnoff, and the last bit through the Provincelands. I found myself with the MFS guys again just before Castle Hill in Truro, about the steepest the PMC has to offer. I enjoyed a powerful climb in a big gear, recovering over the next few miles until Route 6. It gets windy on 6, and it's typical to have many pacelines.

Eventually, I led a line of about 12 riders going up 6 at a spirited pace. A few of us traded off at the front. I would pull for about 2 minutes, but eventually, I was getting a little tired, and "dropped" (moved left) so someone else would take over. Looking to my right, no one was there - they were all behind me. We were moving like a snake. "Hey! I need a break." No takers. Eventually, three of us dropped back, forcing the mid-pack riders to take a turn at the front. We turned towards the Provincelands, 5 miles from the finish. A bunch of riders wanted to wait for their friends, so three guys from the Blue & Purple team (can't recall the name) and I traded off the lead over paved dunes until the finish. Three of us had enough left for a sprint to the finish.

Grins! A final sprint
Grins! A final sprint

It's 10:00 and Time For Lunch

The scene at Provincetown was wild. Many hundreds of spectators cheering wildly as we approached the line. What a moment. The four of us offered congratulations and thanks for the company. Later, a few others from my last paceline thanked me for pulling them up route 6. It had been another great weather day, although some clouds were moving in. After signing in, I deposited my bike in a safe place, since we were staying locally that night.

After about 10 minutes, Beth, and our friend Nisreen, showed up after walking back from the peak viewing area for the final sprint. This was Nisreen's first trip to see the PMC in person. Volunteers found my bag, and after I showered, we gave Nisreen a tour of the premises. The Provincetown Inn was once again PMC central, with National Guard shower tents up front, the giant food tent in the back. About 9 tractor trailers would take bikes and baggage back to various start points for most riders.

Beth, Andy, and Nisreen - minutes after the finish
Beth, Andy, and Nisreen - minutes after the finish

Andy, Nancy, Jorie, and Beth at P-town
Andy, Nancy, Jorie, and Beth at P-town
A little later, Nancy showed up. Her family was there to meet her. Shown here from left to right: me, Nancy, Nancy's daughter Jorie, and Beth. Nancy's first PMC had been great. I'm really proud of her. Nancy was not a "cyclist" until this year, and she really turned in an awesome performance. Moreover, she had fun, and I applaud her commitment to the PMC. WAY TO GO NANCY!

I had lunch with Chris and George, who had ridden together Sunday. There was a steel-drum band, and a DJ. The DJ was great. Periodically, he'd do a "Let's hear it for..." the riders, the volunteers, the spectators... He really helped keep the energy at a high level.

Around noon, I said so-long to my PMC friends, and we headed to the car, and to downtown Provincetown (so Beth and Nisreen could eat!)

It's Been an Awesome Year

This has been a great year for cycling. It was a year to try new rides, and break a number of personal records, including PMC-Saturday. I returned to full-strengh, and continued on to a new level. It was the 21st PMC, the first of a new century. For me... I had no mechanical failures for the whole weekend, no knee problems, and a very fast ride. That's a great year. It's an emotional weekend, with highs and lows. I hope that the highs outweigh the lows. They did for me.

And Fundraising continues. At this writing, I've raised almost $9100 this year, a new record for me. And I'm not done yet! I'm still shooting for $10,000. In 10 years, I've raised close to $49,000 for the PMC. Will I make my goal? How about the PMC's goal of $11M? Stay tuned.

I'd like to close with the same statement I made last year. The icon says "End Cancer - 192 miles". I often wonder how many more PMC's there will be before we are truly 192 miles from the end of cancer as we know it. I do know that I will ride in every one until it is no longer necessary.

Thank you for your support of the PMC.

End Cancer