The Mighty Cooked Tomato and Bicycle Commuting

Tomatoes lose some of their vitamin C when they’re cooked, but heating, processing, or crushing boost their antioxidant power. Cooked tomatoes are a good source of a carotenoid called lycopene – a strong antioxidant that may play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease,  some types of cancer and macular degeneration. It’s the lycopenes in tomatoes that gives them their bright red color. You won’t get as many of them if you eat sliced tomatoes. A drawback of eating canned or jarred tomato products is getting a high dose of sodium. To avoid the additional salt try cooking your own tomatoes or buying a low sodium version.

I’m absolutely thrilled that cycling season is in full swing here in the north east! I even bicycled to work one day this week! I’ve promised myself that, weather permitting and a with warm enough temperature in the AM, I will ride to work three times a week. Monday morning I set out for the 15 mile trek at 6:45 and arrived at my place of employ with a few minutes to spare. The rack and commuter bag worked well but I’m going to be leaving the laptop at work as often as possible. That weight along with my lunch and change of clothing made the back of the bike a bit heavy.

The Monday morning ride plus 23 miles after work today gives me 54 miles so far for the week. Bicycling with my husband this weekend will put me over 100 miles. I should be hitting my 100+ miles per week goal now though the summer months.

I am passionate about cycling and consider myself in training for my yearly trek across the state of Massachusetts during the first weekend in August; the Pan Massachusetts Challenge. The PMC is a challenging two day 192 mile ride beginning in the south central Massachusetts town of Sturbridge. Saturday morning at 5:30 AM we start by traversing 40 miles of grueling hills right from the start. The route then flattens out considerably for the remaining 72 miles and ends in Buzzards Bay, at the western entrance of the Cape Cod Canal, where we spend the night at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Day 1 Sturbridge to Buzzards Bay 112 miles

Off to an early start Sunday morning beginning with the long climb over the Bourne Bridge at sunrise. The view of the rising sun reflecting off the ribbon of the Cape Cod Canal is a sight to behold and well worth the early wake up call.

 

The Bourne Bourne Bridge spanning the Cape Cod Canal

But is it ever hard to sit on that seat the next day. Our route takes us down the length of scenic Cape Cod. Through quaint towns, along fishing inlets and over dunes. We will witness many breathtaking ocean views. Still, that 80 miles does NOT go quick. Cape Cod is hilly. Long rolling hills winding along highways, back roads and bike paths and finally through a five mile stretch through the sand dunes of Provincetown signaling the finish is near. At last we arrive at the Provincetown Inn. The bike goes on a truck. I pick up my backpack and head to the shower tent. Clean and refreshed and wearing something other than spandex, I join some friends for lunch in the food tent. After a bite to eat we stroll the mile long Commercial Street of Provincetown, which is mainly pedestrian traffic, to the wharf. There we will board a ferry for the 3 hour trip to Boston where my bicycle, my backpack and my ride await me. I live for this weekend every year.

 

Day two Buzzards Bay to Provincetrown 80 miles

This year will mark my 11th ride with the PMC. Over the last 11 years, to date, I have raised $51,345 for cancer research and care at Boston’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute. My goal this year is to raise 10K. I join 5,500+ other cyclists who, like me, are dedicated to funding a cure for cancer. Together our goal for this year is to raise 40 million dollars. If you would like to consider sponsoring me, this link will take you to my fundraising page. http://www2.pmc.org/profile/JS0126

Thanks for reading my blog and have a great weekend!

Ride on!