For my second cyclocross race, I joined my friend Andy again, at Mansfield Hollow Cross in Mansfield, CT. Coming from Boston, I arrived a little late and had barely enough time to register, ride one practice lap, and make it to the start before the Cat 4/5 race started.
We got up extra-early this morning to drive to Hartland, so that we could sneak in a ride in before running wedding errands and painting for the afternoon at my parents house. En route we were delighted to stumble upon a local Boy Scout troop offering free donuts and coffee in return for donations at a rest stop along the highway. Then, we enjoyed clear blue skies and crisp air while riding the Flora & Fauna loop between Avon and Granby, CT.
The New England Parkinson’s ride was created by the Woods family in the Summer of 2008 after Chris Woods, an avid cyclist, was diagnosed with PD at the age of 41. He was a regular at the annual Diabetes and MS rides, but his family found that there was no benefit ride for Parkinson’s research in the US, so they started their own. The first year only drew only 35 riders but as of last year, it grew to 800+ cyclists (from 19 states & 3 Canadian provinces) and 200+ volunteers. In 2015 alone, it raised $547,000 and the cumulative total since the rides inception has now surpassed $2 million. For two years in a row it has been the largest independent single-day fundraising member event for Team Fox in the history of the Michael J Fox Foundation.
After the cyclocross race this morning, a relaxing afternoon was in store for Rachel & me. And being such a beautiful, sunny day, what better way to relax and enjoy the weather than by floating atop a body of water? We invited both my parents, but only got one bite. Since the kayaks were both claimed, my mom dusted the cobwebs off her old inflatable boat and we were a trio.
Just kidding, it’s still biking; it’s just a new form of his favorite activity. As I’ve learned over these past six years, anytime there is a new form of biking, a new type of bike must be purchased. Accordingly, Chris bought a cyclocross bicycle from his friend, Andy, a few months ago.
