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Matt Roy's Race Reports

It's in the Books! I set the first cross-state record
for the state of Maine!

Dear friends and colleagues:

As many of you know, 16 months ago, I broke my femur in a bicycle race at the Tuft's Criterium. The break was serious, requiring immediate surgical repair and hospitalization. I used a walker for six weeks, crutches for three months, and endured fourteen months of physical therapy. As we all do in difficult times; I needed a carrot on a stick to get me through the rehabilitation process. During the months that followed, an idea began to crystallize; a mission: to set the first-ever cross-state cycling record for the state of Maine. I am writing you to ask for support with my mission.

Throughout my rehabilitation, and with the support of my wife, family, friends and graduate program, this goal remained my sole focus. It inspired and motivated me. For all of the support that I've had, I want to prove to everyone, myself especially, that I've made a spectacular comeback and with it, I will bring hope, inspiration and support to those who need it most.

It's Tuesday morning and although I awoke with numb toes and rebellious intestines, I actually feel that getting on the bike wouldn't be all that bad. It's a surreal feeling to think that after nearly a year of planning, training, and quite literally, blood, sweat and tears that went into this ride that it's over.

On Sunday, August 26th at 3:35am I stepped off of my bike moments after crossing the New Hampshire border from Kittery, ME. Twenty-two hours and 25 minutes earlier, I left the Fort Kent Municipal Building parking lot, just across from the Canadian border. In the time in between, I covered 382.24 miles that included more than 22,000 feet of climbing, nasty headwinds, porcupines, looming thunderstorms and 96-degree temperatures. My average speed with stops was 17.63 mph, with a rolling average of 18.4 mph.

It's in the books: I set the first cross-state record for the state of Maine!

To those who have already contributed to my fundraiser for the Spaulding Rehab, thank you! We are still shy of our goal of $10/mile… but we are going to keep the fundraisers open until the end of September. If you would like to contribute, please donate here, or for my friends in the cycling community with a BikeReg account, here.

I dedicate my ride to Mo and to my folks, Chuck and Elaine Roy.

To my wife, Mo: without you, none of this would have happened. You have been by my side since day one; sleeping in a hospital chair while I complained about catheters and burlap sheets in a morphine-induced haze, massaging the purple out of leg, loading me in and out of the kayak day after day, hiding eggs around the house and attaching a basket to my walker for an Easter Egg Hunt, helping me through the pain of my injury, recovery, ruptured bursas, making bottles, food, recovery shakes, more massages, stretching, massages, and did I mention massages? Thank you, for everything.

To my Mom and Dad: although I've caught many-a-look of apprehension in your eyes with my history of wacky schemes, you have always supported me. You have taught me courage, curiosity, and appreciation of all that life has to offer. Thank you.

A HUGE thanks to my incredible crew: Butch Balzano, Todd Downs, Merlyn Townley of SRAM NRS. Do any of you out there know what it's like to have three of the world's best race mechanics supporting you? Here's an exemplary conversation through the two-way radio:

Matt: "Todd, can you adjust the FD lower limit screw on the IF, it's rubbing on the 27?"

Todd: "You got it. Anything else?"

See what I mean? Thank you, guys.

Before Mo starting tearing it up on two wheels, she established herself as one of the best soigneurs in the history of the sport of cycling. As crew chief, Mo made everything run like clockwork. Here's a conversation during one of our stops:

Matt: "Tiger balm behind left knee, please. Gu plus Heed and a Spiz on the bike. Oh, and fresh gel flask. Three advil, three enduruolytes. Clean jersey, fresh socks, no, the other socks, chamois cream. New race radio, and tape for the earpiece."

Mo: "Got it. Want some watermelon, pineapple or cantaloupe?"

To my official, Tracey Ingle; thanks for welcoming a "racer-type" to the world of the New England Randonneurs. Your motto, "Finish Happy" has been playing through my head these last few days and I thank you for it. You also make one hell of a competitor in the most coveted of back road travel games: lawn ball.

To my favorite teammate, Stan; you were there right when we needed you… the late night shift! With 50-miles to go, I head your voice over the radio and it was motivation like none other. With 100 meters to go I could hear you: "Fight it all the way to the line. You've got more! Faster! Go!"

To my sponsors: Ed and Alex at SRAM , Clint, Brian, JP, Jason and Cat at Wheelworks, Matt, Joe, Jamie and Lloyd at IF , thanks for believing in me and supporting me. Without you, I'd be drinking Gatorade, wearing a cracked helmet, and riding my 2003 LeMond Marshmallow; my parting gift from Team Sports Inc, after the Saturn Cycling Team folded. Thanks to John, Mike and Sully at Mavic; you really helped me get my R-SYS up those hills! Also, thanks to Johs and Chris and Cannondale for helping put the bad karma behind me and on top of the bike that got me over the steepest climbs.

In looking for a cause that spoke to the challenges that I have overcome, I discovered a division of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, the Dr. Charles H. Weingarten Adaptive Sports & Recreation Program. The program provides Spaulding patients, former patients, and disabled members of the community access to a range of therapeutic recreational activities.

There are two ways that you can support:

I have a donation page through FirstGiving.

For my friends in the cycling community, we have set up a fundraising page on BikeReg

Finally, we will be having a party to celebrate the completion of my ride at noon on Sunday, August 26th in Portsmouth, NH on Pierce Island, near the gazebos on Four Tree Island. If you'd like to join in on the celebration, please feel free to stop by and bring your favorite dish.

Thanks for reading, and thanks, in advance, for the support!

Sincerely,

Matt Roy