Text Box: On a 750-mile bicycle ride By Andrea Bassing Matney Text Box: wanted to withdraw. Although hard to hear, everyone tells me that what I did was incredible. Staying to see friends finish the ride and going to the Celebration dinner were extremely difficult, yet tremendously rewarding. This helped me learn that I am not a quitter and have vast resources and strength for goals that I am committed to doing. Although sad about not finishing, my four photos from the road before I got sick show one big, grinning, happy fool and I'll proudly show them off! Text Box: With over 6000 miles on my bicycle and loving support from my husband, I was ready for Paris-Brest-Paris! Every four years in August, France hosts this 750-mile ride from Paris, to Brest, and back within 90 hours. This type of timed, endurance, self-supported bicycle riding is called Randoneering. This year approximately 350 of the 5300 riders were women, so I was something special. Until Brest (380 miles), it was fantastic as I rode with people from all over the world. This despite starting at 11:20 pm, torrential rain with temperatures in the low 50s and a chest cold. I did not mind because I was riding in France and doing PBP! It was awesome! The French were out all day and night cheering us, "Bon route! Bon courage! Bravo!" After the turn-around point, I had a very different experience. An hour after eating at Brest, I had severe stomach problems. I had to stop many times and spent 8 hrs. in a medical room with my own private bucket. I was determined to keep going and started riding with nothing in me for over 12 hours. I didn't want to quit and let anyone down. I continued an additional 80 miles before stopping completely (535 out of 750 miles). I had done 100 miles with no food or fluid in the last 27 hours. I burst into tears when I realized that this was the official end to my ride. I wanted to continue although it would not count, but then got sick again. No calories in = no calories out. Simple math. (When I got back, I found out my "cold" was actually pneumonia and my doctor is adamant that I could not have finished). Initially I had trouble accepting that I was not a quitter and just Text Box: FREE HALL EVENTS FOR GLEN ECHO RESIDENTS The following activities booked at the town hall are free for town residents: Monday, October 8 , 8:00 p.m.--TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Saturday, October 13,, 7:30 p.m.—GLEN ECHO FILM FESTIVAL Wednesday, Octobert 31, 5:30-6:30 p.m.—TOWN HALLOWEEN PARTY Every Wednesday, 8:00-10:30 p.m. English Country Dance. Live music. No experience or partner needed. Sponsored by Folklore Society of Greater Washington.