by The alarm clock hurt. It was just a few short hours since I had gotten home from Wednesday’s Day Zero. I had to get to Stephen’s house in Medfield to join up with Team Kinetic Karma for what we had planned for Day One.
It was less than whole team, but the plan was to stay safe. That meant a small group and masks.
The first stop was the key to the day’s ride. Cherry Street in Wrentham is famous on Day One of the PMC. The neighbors close the street to traffic. They usually fill it with music, live bands, cheers, and bubbles. It’s a highlight for PMC riders coming from Sturbridge.
Today it was quiet. Danno, one of our fallen teammates used to live at the end of Cherry Street. His neighbors continue to put up a banner to remember him and support the team. This year was no exception.
Captain Dave re-told his speech from Danno’s memorial. A few tears were shed and few sips sips of beer were partaken. Danno would have enjoyed that. Then he would have said HTFU and get pedaling. So we did.
Off to the Dighton stop on the PMC. It was eerily quiet. We’re used to this rest stop being full of thousands of PMCers eating lunch. Today it was the eight of us, until two more PMCers pulled in. A weird PMC. Weird.
While the rest of the team was headed to the Cape, I turned left and headed north to sleep in my own bed tonight. That meant only 30 miles with TKK today. A weird PMC. Weird.
I did get to try out some new roads that turned out great. Then I was on to some familiar roads as I rode past Borderland State Park and Lake Massapoag in Sharon. I had a fun climb up Moose Hill to completely tire out my legs, before hitting the busy streets inside 128.
I had one last stop. PMC Headquarters in Needham.
Time to rest up after a hundred miles in the saddle today.
Tomorrow’s plan was for Pan Mass Challenge Reimagined: Cape Cod with Team Kinetic Karma.
The Pan Mass Challenge will donate 100% of your donation to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
