After years of dreams, Mike made plans to spend April and May riding 3500 solo miles across the USA, using the effort to raise money for cancer research at Dana-Farber as a supplement to his regular Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) fundraising. Donations, large and small, are welcomed and can be made via this link.
Then -- COVID. Rather than scrap the plan, a "virtual transcon" -- 3500 day trip miles, carrying all supplies for the day, including a tour through all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns. If you would like to be added to the blog d-list, use this email link.
The year: 1781. George Washington, after six years of battling the British, is looking for a knockout blow. He comes to Rhode Island to meet with French Admiral Rochambeau -- they cook up a plan that ultimately results in the British defeat and surrender in Yorktown. RI has recognized with the Washington Secondary Rail Trail (a truly cryptic name) -- I enjoyed the ride, from urban Cranston to rural Coventry. On my return loop, I rode by the most bizarre thing I have encountered on this trip (see photo below)
Marc agreed to join me for a RI Seacoast trek -- we had an awesome tour down to Point Judith, the end of Narragansett Bay -- then the tandem broke -- we limped home to the car after the bike store told us "can't fix it"
Marc, being a trooper, signed up the next day for my Connecticut nature tour -- a visit to the largest tree in Connecticut, dedicated to Gifford Pinchot -- first head of the US Forest Service. We had an awesome day on the bike, enjoying many miles on the excellent bike paths of the Nutmeg State. We also enjoyed, but respected, our encounter with Ursus Americanus.
3197 miles down -- 303 to go! This is my final week -- I will be finishing this tour next Sunday, Father's Day, with a special grand finale. Not this (as one donor suggested), but something equally epic!
