Training update from Franconia Notch, NH...

Here's my ride for the day today.  Just a 34 mile ride.  Here's my ride map and stats.  It was just a "down and back" from Mittersill (behind Cannon Mountain) down to Woodstock/Lincoln today.   

The ride down was really pleasant, although overcast most of the way.  Riding down the trail toward Woodstock the scent of balsam hit me like a Christmas Tree sale.  It was really nice.  The sun peeked out by the time I got to LaFayette campground, hung around for about 5 minutes but then ducked behind the clouds till lunch.  

Got the bike up to 45 *coasting* down the the hiway from the Flume into Lincoln.  That was nice. 

Met up with Sandy, my mom, Ben and Kevin in Woodstock where we had lunch and played in the river for an hour or two.   Had an ice cream, then back on the bike.  The ride back up the notch was pretty much nothing but a 15-mile uphill grind.   Great scenery, though.

Jumping in the pool at the end of the ride was the best.   

More rides to come this week, prepping for the PMC on Saturday!

/douig

PMC 2011 Passenger Profile: Charleen Hinkler

My fourth passenger for this year's PMC is Charleen Hinkler.  Cindy Scanland, a long-time friend from Spring, TX, sent Charleen's story and pictures.

Charleen, Cindy's friend and co-worker at HP,  was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2009.  By the time they had diagnosed the cancer it had already spread to her bones.   However, rather than traditional radiation and chemo, Charleen was able to undergo treatment with a new targeted biotherapy (in her case, Tarceva).  Her cancer responded to the treatment and  Charleen did really well for about a year: her bone and lung cancer went into remission and she continued about her life.


After about a year, however, a small tumor was discovered on Charleen's liver. Radiation and chemo treatments for the liver cancer were very hard on Charleen, but again, she continued to be positive, outgoing and active, going on bike rides on her recumbent trike.

In early October 2010, Charleen felt ill enough to be hospitalized.  Her condition degenerated rapidly and she passed away soon after admission from multiple organ failure (likely precipitated from liver damage).

I'm honored and happy to carry Charleen's pictures and story along with me on the PMC and ride in her memory.

PMC 2011 Passenger Profile: Judy Grande

The lovely woman in this picture is our friend and neighbor Judy Grande.  

Judy and her husband Ray are two of the nicest, most outgoing and genuinely caring people that you could ever meet.   Sandy and I met Judy and Ray years ago and we cross paths with them regularly through the work they do for the Devens area Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.  

Judy was diagnosed earlier this year with throat cancer and has gone through surgery and radiation treatments.  Judy's CAT and PET scans haven't shown any reappearance of the cancer, so she stays cautiously optimistic, getting on with life -- but with follow-up tests every few months...     I'm glad that the world has people in it like Judy and Ray.   I'm especially glad we can count them as our neighbors and friends.  And I'm certainly proud to take Judy along as a passenger for this year's PMC ride.

You go, Judy!

/doug