Grit, Gravel & Commitment: Cycling with Larry at the Maine Lighthouse Ride

My Body Odyssey rode along with Larry Langmore on the 40 mile option of the 20th Annual Maine Lighthouse Ride this year, a benefit for the Eastern Trail Association that attracts 800 riders from near and far.   40 miles is a good long ride for anyone. But it’s both particularly challenging and potentially rewarding for a prostate cancer survivor three months out from chemotherapy.  “I was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in March,” Larry told us. “And so I've had four treatments of chemotherapy… But during that period, I was able to ride a hundred miles a month.”  That gave Larry the confidence to take on these 40 miles and, with daughter Katie, raise money for the non-profit ZERO Prostate Cancer in the process. Then a fall on a training ride two days prior to the ride put these goals into question. “So my side is a little bit sore right now,” confesses Larry before the event. “The doctor said I'll give you a 20, 30% chance of riding. So I may not do the full 40 miles.” Once out on the road, the bumps seem bumpier and the hills steeper than usual for Larry. Was that more than just a minor fall during his training ride?  Tune in to find out more about the Maine Lighthouse Ride, The Eastern Trail, and whether or not protagonist, Larry, completes his 40 mile cycling odyssey with both cancer and injury.  With expert commentary from exercise oncologist, Dr. Kathryn Schmitz, University of Pittsburgh, and cycling recordings by Kevin A. Kline, Sr. Audio Engineer.  My Body Odyssey is a Fluent Knowledge production.  Original music by Ryan Adair Rooney. Experts: Kathryn H. Schmitz, PhD, MPH  Resources: Larry's Fundraising Page ZERO Prostate Cancer Eastern Trail in Southern Maine Prostate Cancer: Symptoms & Causes American Cancer Society: Survival Rates for Prostate Cancer American Cancer Society: Physical Activity and the Person with Cancer  Physical Activity and Cancer Care- A Review Cancer.Net: Osteoporosis