Boston Wounded Warrior Ride 9/4

[Crankin]

I will be doing this ride with DH on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. It's a very worthwhile cause. It's $50.00 to register and you don't have to raise any money, although you can if you want. The ride starts from the Minuteman Park Visitor center by the North Bridge in Concord. You have a choice of riding between 15 and 61.5 miles, but no matter what, it's on familiar roads to most of you.
Please consider joining me; we can have a TE group!

http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/defa...?ievent=428048

[m.eliza]

That sounds awesome! I'm thinking about signing up, but now I'm a little worried about the hurricane that might be hitting us that weekend!

[Crankin]

Well, it does look a little "iffy" with the timing of the hurricane, but it looks like that the impact around here will be minimal, compared to he Cape. Since I live about 3 miles from the start, I'm just going to keep an eye on it. Obviously, if it's gusting to 40 mph or the streets are filled with debris, I'll stay home.

PS Where in Acton do you live? I do most of my riding in that direction... used to live in Boxborough and both my kids went to AB.

[m.eliza]

I've been keeping an eye on the weather and it's not looking too bad for Saturday right now. My weather app is actually showing that it will be 75 and sunny (fingers crossed). A little rain doesn't bother me, though. I find I have more endurance and speed in the rain (less sweating maybe?), but tropical storm conditions might put a damper on the occasion.

I live in West Acton, but I do most of my riding in the Strawberry Hill/Concord/Carlisle area. I might venture into Boxborough and Littleton if I want a hillier ride.

I graduated AB in 2005. Any chance I know your kids?

[Crankin]

Oh yea, you probably know my kids... one graduated in 2003 and one in 2001. Scott and Josh, last name begins with M.
Funny, since i moved to Concord (my street is actually right off of Strawberry Hill Rd) I find riding around here extremely boring. I guess it's because except for the Lowell-Monument St. loop and then to Great Brook Farm, there's no places to "explore." Most of the other streets, off of the main ones, are dead ends. Plus, it's extremely crowded with other riders, especially on weekends.
I am so glad I started riding when I lived closer to Harvard and the bigger hills, because it seems normal to me (although I am not that fast!).
I am doing the ride, because Scott is a Marine. Yes, the only living graduate from AB who dropped out of college to join the military .

[m.eliza]

Hmm I don't think I know your boys. My brother was in the class of '03 though so he may. I guess it's pretty easy not to know everyone in such a big school. There were even a handful of faces in my own year that I didn't recognize at graduation!

You're lucky those big hills don't scare you! I get nervous just planning a route that goes toward Nagog Hill or Nashoba Road by that apple orchard (can't remember what it's called). I guess that just goes to show that climbing is just as much a psychological battle as a physical one!

You might be right. I don't know if I've met another AB grad who joined the military instead of college. I hope he's doing well. My sister recently got back from a tour in Afghanistan and is due to be deployed again at the end of next year (though she may be able to avoid that by having another baby!) I also have a cousin currently in Afghanistan, another cousin going to Iraq next month (second tour) and a third who will be deployable within the next year. Scary! Fortunately none have been injured in combat; although my sister dislocated her shoulder tripping over a sandbag on her way to the bathroom in Afghanistan. Ironic