My brother Scott and his two friends, Josh and Jose are less than 24 hours away from finishing their 3,500 mile bike ride from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine all in the name of Pancreatic Cancer Research. Their tagline has been "Anyone Can Be A Superhero" and they have met so many amazing people along the way that have helped them on their journey and that they have helped as they rode in their superhero t-shirts along America's roads.
I've watched from the sidelines everyday these last 6 weeks as they brought us their practical jokes, humorous Spanish lessons, kitchen basics for cyclists, flat tire count, and photos of inspirational people that opened their homes to them.
I've talked to Scott weekly about how his body was faring (mostly how much his butt hurt) and the amazing things he has seen along this journey. I've kept their website up to date with donations collected, where they are, and posted their homecoming event for this Saturday, August 5th at The Corner Pub in Flanders, NJ. Every part of me wants to be there to welcome him home because as his big sister I couldn't be prouder of his accomplishment.
I've felt like I've been there on the road with him every step of the way. Although I'm just the webmaster, he and his friends have made everyone tuning in on social media feel like they are part of the journey. I know that it's an experience that he will never be able to replicate and I know he's taken in every moment. It will be something that he looks back on in 15 years and think, "I don't know how I did that." But knowing Scott, he'll probably be biking across Europe by then.
With the final destination in their sights, I'm sure the trio is looking forward to some rest, relaxation, and celebration. I hope that as they finish their ride touching down in the Atlantic Ocean they take it in and think, "It's not the destination, it's the journey." A journey that will tie them together for life, one that they will look back on with fond memories, one that they can be proud of for the rest of their lives, and one that has left this world better than they found it.
I hope their journey has sent a message to everyone, that anyone has the power to be a superhero in large and small ways and that their message has given pancreatic cancer fighters hope and will to keep fighting on the journey that they're on.
To donate to their cause please visit: https://www.bikingportlandtoportland.com/
To follow them on Instagram as they document their final stop search for @portland_to_portland.