Presentation and Raffle at Cape Cod Rehab

Eric Chandler of Cape Cod Rehab's FitPlan health club was instrumental in organizing a presentation that Dave Nowlan delivered at Caper Cod Rehab's Hyannis location last night.  This presentation included information about Multiple Sclerosis, Dave's training, his planned route and goals for the Cross country ride.

Eric, and many of Cape Cods Rehab's staff also have been managing a raffle to raise money to help sponsor this ride across America.  Many thanks to Eric for his dedication, ideas, and cooperation  to ensure these events are a great success.

Thanks to all at Cape Cod Rehab for your support!

Dave prepares for presentation

 Farran Tileston and Eric Chandler selling those raffle tickets!

Recovery Ride

Saturday I spent 4 hours in the saddle.  This is the longest ride since the bursitis flared up in my right knee two weeks ago.  Friday's physical therapy session could be my last one for this problem.  Click here for the route.  I rode 62 miles (two 30 mile laps) around Falmouh and everything felt great. Thanks to Cape Cod Rehab and Briana for getting me back on track.  Here is a picture of a great mural painted under one of the bridges on the Shining Sea bike path in Falmouth, very nice.

The Seed of Inspiration

Today I had a conversation with Dave Ferber, a friend from Millis, MA who worked together with me for several years in the 1990s.  Dave planted the initial inspirational seed in my mind for taking on this journey.  Dave and his lovely wife, Flo, cycled from Massachusetts to Florida before I met him, and when I heard the story I was amazed that someone would embark on such a long bicycle ride.  Dave's eyes would light up when he recounted the ride with fondness. Dave's health has been a challenge over the past few years dealing with cancer, strokes, a triple bypass, and dialysis. While he can't exercise as in his heyday, today Dave and Flo took a short bike ride to a local park and truly enjoyed it! I'm sure the ride brought back those great memories. Dave remains an inspiration.

We also talked about my upcoming trek and he shared some advice and a few details about mileage, and mountains, and flats, and then he commented:

 "You'll enjoy it, you'll never forget that ride" 

 Keep on riding, Dave and Flo. Thank You

Knee Tune Up at Cape Cod Rehab

This week Cape Cod Rehab's Doctor Briana Lackenby has been working my right knee.  Pes anserine bursitis flared up after last weekend's 80 mile ride. I received expert physical therapy 3 times this week and my knee feels much better.  I'm back on the bike taking short rides.  The prognosis is good, Dr Lackenby is confident that I'll recover in plenty of time for the cross country ride.  I'm feeling good about the progress this week and looking forward to improving every day.   Everything remains on schedule.  Thanks to Dr. Lackenby and the entire Cape Cod Rehab staff for your support and making this journey possible!

Blustery 80 mile Training Ride

Hello, Today I rode another 80 mile windy training ride here on the Cape.  Matt Patrick and I rode a 30 mile loop to Woods Hole and back to the Waquoit area in Falmouth.  I then went on through Bourne, Sandwich, and Mashpee and finally back to Falmouth to end today's riding.  The sky was a beautiful bright blue and the wind was blowing 25 to 35 miles per hour, slowing the pace from last week's ride.  Here's a link to today's route around the upper Cape. 

We've raised over $7,000 toward our goal of $50,000 for the MS Society in support of this ride across America.  Thanks to all who are supporting this event!  With each donation we're getting one step closer to a cure!   Unfortunately, Claire started an MS exascerbation last week including some new symptoms, a burning pain in her left thigh and left calf. Hopefully this bout will not last too long...

Here's a picture of Matt Patrick and I today raring to go..Handsome fellas, don't you think?

80 Mile Training Ride Today.

Claire and I went to Newton, in the Boston suburbs for a couple of MS events this weekend. Saturday was a meeting with two MS Neurologists presenting information on the current status of the research, available drugs, their benefits and risks and new drugs on the horizon.  Today Clair had a wrap up meeting with the the models and staff from the MS society's fashion show in Boston last November.  She suggested that I ride from Newton to Falmouth as a training ride. Of course I agreed.  This ride gave us a chance to see how the navigational aids would work out and also gave Claire an idea of my pace while she drives the support vehicle. Everything worked out beautifully!

Here's a link to the route I traveled today. 

Here are a three videos from the Bourne bridge. We were excited to get there. I ended up reaching home after dark..ran out of daylight, but I was not deterred :-). Today was a great day!