A Baker's Dozen A Story About The 2003 PMC August 11, 2003

Thirteen years. A baker's dozen. When I started doing the PMC in 1991, I had no idea that I'd still be involved twelve years later. What can I say? The PMC is a tough habit to break. Training This year turned out to be a slow year for training. California experienced uncharacteristic wet and cold weather this winter, and riding suffered. We spent the month of March in New Zealand where we did some hiking, but no cycling. For the first time in 10 years, I did not do a 100 mile ride prior to the PMC. Organized rides? I did exactly one. At the end of April, I rode the Multiple Sclerosis Society Top Hat Classic, a 75 mile hilly ride in and around Pleasanton, CA. About 20 miles of it is part of Grizzly Peak Century backwards - interesting, especially since I had planned to do the GPC was the following week. But that day dawned with rain, and I just didn't feel like a repeat of the 2000 GPC when I ended up nearly hypothermic under similar circumstances. I slept in. By mid June, I shifted my training to get the most out of shorter rides. Still, I was hoping for a sub-6 hour first day of the PMC.

The Steam Room We arrived on the east coast 10 days prior to the ride. We started in New Jersey for a birthday celebration for my Dad and uncle - twin brothers. I managed a short tune-up ride in New Jersey under fairly humid conditions. I was soaked after 13 miles. We got into Massachusetts the Tuesday before the PMC. I got in three rides: a short one Tuesday with friends Rob and Carol, about 25 on Wednesday, and another 10 on Thursday.

John K and I at Sturbridge

I'm not used to humidity anymore after living in California for 10 years! The weekend forecast was not looking good - tropical humidity and rain. Sure enough, Friday morning dawned with rain. By early afternoon, it was raining pretty hard, and by evening, it was pouring. Beth dropped me off at my hotel in Sturbridge, then I headed over to the Sturbridge Host Hotel - PMC central. Friday night is a big reunion. Everywhere you look, there's someone that you've been riding with for years. Above are John K and I at the Host. Dinner was under a huge circus tent. It was raining so hard - sheets of water were rolling off the side of the tent. This year, the Boston Red Sox became the primary sponsor of the PMC. This is fitting since they helped launch the Jimmy Fund in 1948. Some 3600 riders would leave from 2 starting points. More riders were doing a "virtual PMC" - doing a different ride, but still raising money for the PMC.

Breakfast for 3000 Our motel room was at ground level, right off a parking lot. At 4:15 AM, we awoke, and looked out at puddles and active rain. It must have rained all night, and it was still raining. Fortunately, it was not cold. In a "well we might as well get it over with" moment, we rode off to breakfast at the Host, about 1/4 mile away. I dropped the bike where the fast riders start, and hauled my luggage to the appropriate truck. Rain slickers and other riding jackets seemed to be the attire of choice for many riders. I opted for arm warmers - very slightly lined spandex sleeves that cover your arms. Chris and Alan were here, as well as brothers Tim and Mark - all shown here. I ran into John K at one point and wished him a good ride. Senator John Kerry was back for a second year as well. At 5:45, I couldn't avoid the rain any longer - it was time to head out to the bike. I planned to ride in the front group with my friend Alan, at least through the hills. But there was a small problem - Alan had a flat with 2 minutes to go before the start! He moved aside to fix the flat. I looked around at the start, but he was not to be found - he had some problems changing the tube and ended up starting near the back. More on that later.

Chris and I at the start   Tim and Mark (left and center)

Allez! At 6AM, we were off. One small group went way off the front almost immediately. I rode in the second group. Things were not quite as fast as usual, perhaps due to the rain. This was just fine with me. Through the early hills in Charlton and Purgatory Chasm State Park, it was not as difficult to keep up with this group as last year. For the first time in many years, I found myself riding with Chris. Not just for a few minutes. For close to 80 miles. We ended up with a reasonable group of about 12 moving quite well through the first 60 miles. We were at the "lunch" stop at about 9:03. So far, I had stuck to my "food" plan, but I had only drained 2 water bottles in 60 miles. One of the difficult things to do when riding in the rain is to remember to drink. I wasn't drinking enough. By now the rain had stopped, and the sun was trying to peek through the clouds. After a half a banana and half a PB&J sandwich at "lunch", we were off again. A group of 9 formed. We were working very well together. We had a nice pace line going, with most folks taking good turns at the front. Around one corner, perhaps by a bog, we were hit by a wave of humidity. The last time I felt humidity like that was in the rain forests of Costa Rica. Very, very humid.

Finishing Day 1 Nancy and Friends

Ouch! Somewhere after 90 miles, not drinking enough caught up with me. While getting out of the saddle to crest a small hill, both legs cramped at the same time. This contraction, combined with the extension of standing up, made for some pretty interesting stress points around my right knee. Ouch. Over the next 8 or so miles I battled cramps in my legs. I tried to shake them out. I drank whatever was in my bottles. Basically, it was a slow ride into the 100 mile stop. There, I filled both bottles, one with powerade and one with water. I drank half of the powerade to get some electrolytes, and refilled it. Back on the road, it took another 3 or so miles for the cramps to subside. Then I was able to get back on pace, but for even the slightest climb, my right knee was very unhappy. Climbing out of the saddle felt okay, so I just did that. In Wareham, a few folks from the original group of 9 caught up - I think they had stopped for a flat. I stuck with one guy for a while, but we got separated at a stop light. Two others passed within about a mile to go. But with it all, I reached the first day's finish line at the Mass Maritime Academy at 11:39, with 5:33 riding time. Perhaps 20 riders were in. All things considered, I was ecstatic.

Mass Maritime After a hot shower, a snack, a 15 minute deep massage, and lunch, I went back to the finish line to wait for John K and Nancy. Nancy arrived at 1:30 - shown above. This was her fastest finish ever -- an outstanding achievement for someone who had fractured her pelvis just 2 months earlier! John K rolled in a bit later. He had had my ride from 2001 - he'd gone off course, adding extra miles and time to his day.

MMA at mid afternoon

Walk the Plank - the ship

Alan kicks back at MMA

This group eventually split in two and John took off with the front group while I remained behind. I thought he had finally left me, but then I realized he wasn't getting further away - in fact, he was getting closer. He was waiting for me. This was really not necessary, but he was not to be dissuaded. We took a short break at the 60 mile stop, where I got more water and powerade, and drank a liquid high carbohydrate fuel - Enervitine. This stuff works really well, and by the turn up onto Route 6 for the last 12 miles to Provincetown, I was recovering. The uphill portions were tough, as climbing in the saddle was uncomfortable. But when we hit the flat section at Pilgrim Point, it was payback time. I took over at the front and pulled John along at 22-25 mph for about 3 miles. I felt like I had contributed! Finally!

Rolling to the finish

All smiles at the finish Find the bag!

I had prepared John for the PMC surprise - the 5 mile detour into the Province Lands just when downtown Provincetown is in sight. John and I worked our way towards the finish. Nowadays, there are actually two Provincetown finish lines - one for riders who are being picked up and one for those heading home via PMC transport. It turned out that John was heading to one finish, and I to the other, so we shook hands farewell (where are the cameras when you need them?). We each appreciated the 60 miles of company, though I am certain I got the better part of the deal! He turned left, and I turned right for the final mile. I could see a few people near the finish, but was not sure if Beth was able to see me. I was wearing a pretty unique jersey, but to make sure she knew it was me from 300 yards, I made sure to zip up the jersey - for Tour de France watchers, this is what stage winners do just before crossing the finish line to prepare for pictures. She got the signal and took the above shot of me crossing the finish line. I had done Sunday's ride in about 4:08. That time made for a consistent weekend average of just under 20 mph. Considering my training, the weather, and my dehydration incident, this was a very good pace.

P-town As I rode past the finish, I noticed that another PMC friend, Jon Denekamp, was there. Jon hadn't ridden the PMC this year, but he was there at the finish nevertheless, cheering on the riders. After a little catch-up with Jon, I went to find my bag in the tent shown above. Quite a challenge. There were some 2500 bags stacked up. Once again - Cape Cod Sea Camps campers to the rescue! Sunday's activity appears to be split between 100s of them cheering in Brewster, and about 30 of them making a great contest out of finding your bag given your room number and a description. What enthusiasm! These kids are great. I went for some food, and found Alan at the food tent. He had a great ride. After Alan took off, who showed up but John Peterson! Turns out that he needed to be at this finish, not the other. Over lunch, we talked about riding and racing, fundraising, and all sorts of stuff. After lunch, I iced my knee for 15 minutes, then got the bike and my bag, found Beth, and headed for the hotel and some sleep!

PMC Volunteers grill up a storm John P and I at the P-town Inn