Overcoming long stretches of torrential rain and a 60-mile stretch by bicycle, riders in the 39th Trek Across Maine accomplished their goal by making it safely to Saint Joseph’s College on Saturday, June 17.
 |
| Riders participating in the Trek Across Maine arrive at the finish line at Saint Joseph's College wrapping up the second of three 60-mile segments on Saturday, June 17. Riders started the day in Lewiston and rode through heavy rain to reach the stopover at Saint Joseph's College before departing the following morning for a 60-mile ride to Brunswick. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE |
Participants raised more than $1 million during this year’s ride for the American Lung Association with riders ranging in age from 8 to 82. Many riders came from Maine, but several other New England states were represented among participants as well. All riders were sponsored by those pledging money to the American Lung Association on their behalf.
George Eastman of Pittston rode in his 24th consecutive Trek Across Maine this year and was joined by his wife, Lynette.
“The most important thing you will take away from this year’s Trek Across Maine is the same thing we take away every year, there are too many people that have lung disease be it lung cancer, COPD, asthma, and breathing is something that most healthy people take for granted,” he said. “Doing this ride and volunteering we feel that we are making a difference and giving back for those that have a hard time breathing for whatever reason. Over the years my wife and I have lost six family members to lung cancer or other types of lung disease, so this is personal, but we don’t do it just for our family but for anyone with lung issues.”
Eastman said the most challenging aspect of doing this every year is Mother Nature.
“Besides the fundraising, I think the weather, we have ridden in hot humid, cold, rain, windy, everything except snow, each one presents its own set of challenges,” he said. “Sometimes we get a combination of conditions such as cold, rain and wind are not a fun combination, but we must plan for it and dress accordingly.”
According to Eastman, he originally decided to ride in the Trek Across Maine because he had wanted to get back into cycling as an adult.
“My wife and I were out to breakfast one weekend and ran into a friend that had a bike for sale, so my wife told him I was interested, and I bought it,” Eastman said. “He had been doing the Trek for a few years and his wife had worked at the American Lung Association, so he invited me to join him, and I did, basically because we have a son with asthma and at that time, I had lost my mother to lung cancer. She never smoked. My wife had lost her father to the same. I did my first Trek in 2000 and my wife, Lynette, joined me in 2021 and has been volunteering since, and the rest is history. Basically, we are a team. Lynette received the ‘Dana Dutton Volunteer of the Year Award’ for the American Lung Association in Maine while at Saint Joseph’s College.”
The American Lung Association’s mission to research, educate, and advocate to prevent lung disease and promote lung health and funds raised during the Trek Across Maine each year support laws protecting clean air, and asthma and COPD research, lung education, education, advocacy, and research to help prevent and treat lung-related afflictions.
Volunteer Stephanie Lamont of Portland served as a volunteer photographer at the finish line for the riders’ segment from Lewiston to Saint Joseph’s College.
Lamont was taking photos of participants while trying to keep raindrops off her camera lens.
“It’s not nearly as bad as I anticipated,” she said. “It’s all for a good cause and it’s great to see so many people out here today supporting these riders.”
A couple from Roxbury, Connecticut, Dave and Cathy Wolfe, rode in the Trek Across Maine for the second time this year.
“We’ve done other rides like this,” Dave Wolfe said. “We were up at 5 a.m. even though the official start time was 7 a.m. We left early just to try and beat the rain.”
Cathy Wolfe said the ride from Brunswick to Saint Jospeh’s College was scenic, although it rained the entire way.
“One thing I’ve learned from doing this today is that my bicycle jacket is not waterproof.
The couple complimented event organizers and volunteers for taking care of the details for participants, such as arranging for dry and safe accommodations at each stopover and providing a crew to make bicycle repairs if needed. <
No comments:
Post a Comment