On the home stretch!

An electromyography (EMG) is an important series of tests that, along with other clinical evidence, can be used to help diagnose ALS. An EMG measures your nerve signaling and muscle response and can provide valuable insight when evaluating muscle weakness.

I started the morning with a leisurely chat with Mark and Janice Peterman. I am blessed to call these two my friends. It was a very special time for me as we haven't really connected in awhile. With the promise of the finish line in sight but some lofty elevation yet to climb, the Fab 4, Steve, Rodney, Dave and Gio, started out their ride today under sunny skies. Finally a day without rain. Charlie was planning on joining them this morning but had to deal with some diabetes management issues so he opted to jump in at lunchtime. Although my hip felt better after the healing work from Nanci Newton last night, I did not feel ready to get on the bike. Tomorrow however, will not be negotiable!

The LG's found a lovely park for lunch in Ware, MA and after setting out all the food, they had a few lively games of whiffle ball and frisbee. Rick as usual, made sure he was available to wave the gang in. They seemed to take a bit of a circuitous route into the park but eventually found us. I must say they looked tired but not defeated. Gio stated it was the hardest day of riding yet as the hills were steep and plentiful. Steve looked fresh as always and after a few minutes rest and time to get back in the zone, he was ready to jump back into the saddle. Charlie did join them for the last leg of the journey. Fresh, 17 year old legs pushing them over the remaining hills was either a blessing or a curse. They said he did great but over dinner I heard several times, "Don't tell your mother!" I'm thinking it was in reference to the mph they traveled down hill!

The last leg of the ride looked beautiful although we almost lost our Genoa Express to a massive pothole just outside of Worcester. I'm grateful he was on a gravel bike instead of a road bike or we could have had a significant crash. They also reported about a 2 mile stretch of gravel, roots and rocks that would rival any mountain bike trail; a bit hard to negotiate on road bike tires. They all seemed to finish strong and were in good spirits. I'm so very proud of these guys and their commitment to this cause. That goes for the LGs too! Just wonderful people that have touched my heart forever.

For our last evening on the road, we decided to order out a combination of Thai food and pizza. We ate it together in the breakfast area of the hotel and then enjoyed the cake that Tara brought to us yesterday. After dinner, the gang engaged in the nightly planning of the next day's route and logistics. It seems a bit bittersweet that tomorrow will be our last day on the road.

In other great news, we have gotten some additional media attention that hopefully will bring us over our goal of $100,000! Lindsey Byman did another phone interview with us on Tuesday and published the following piece. She did a great job capturing our story.

https://thelocalnews.news/2023/06/28/oxford-to-boxford-riders-tired-in-good-spirits-for-final-stretch/?fbclid=IwAR0jAwlCLeo2RcE5cSxDqaOMn6ILL6TjqqX2G6B4x3Rd0baRvud42sBalMQ

Yesterday, Nanci Newton called the Hampshire Daily Gazette and we met with a journalist and a photographer at our hotel. We believe this article will be published on Saturday.

Today, the members of our team - riders and LG's made a donation to our ride in honor of Nanci Newton and Janice Peterman and their wonderful healing work to bring tired bodies back to life. Thank you both for your compassion and passion. You are both inspiring women and so happy we created this friendship through our mutual PMC commitment.

Tomorrow is the day that we bring this baby home! We will have lots of new riders joining us for the last leg of the journey as some of my New England cycling friends will be jumping in. We will welcome Matt Sullivan, David Hardin, John O'Rourke, Mark Peterman, Linda Carpino and our veteran rider, Margaret McCarthy will return!!! We are hoping to be arriving in Boxford between 2 - 3 pm. There is a celebration planned in East Boxford, right next door to the fire station on the small green outside the old Council on Aging building. We'd love to see you there to help us celebrate. The support all along the way for this ride has been phenomenal and we have loved all of the notes, surprise visits, phone calls, texts, prayers, words of love and encouragement, acts of kindness and of course the donations. Tonight we past $90,000 with more checks still waiting to be deposited! We cannot thank each and everyone of you enough!!!

With love, gratitude and hope,

Dolly