Staff Writer
BELFAST – A biking army of orange flew across Maine representing Aroostook County in the fight for healthy lungs. Forty-two County cyclists, all clad in bright orange jerseys, joined Team Mojo in the 2008 Trek Across Maine event from June 13-15 to raise money and awareness for the American Lung Association of Maine.
Contributed photo/Richard Nichols
TEAM MOJO represented Aroostook County in the 2008 Trek Across Maine. Team members were, from the left in front, Kyle Washington, Denise Doughty, Melanie Stewart, Mark Fullen and Rob Kieffer; in row two, Hal Stewart, Jonathan Kelley, Jeff Bennett, John Marshall, Kim McCrea, Anja Whittington and Brent Grass; in row three, Aaron Schmersal, Donna Dole, Melissa Arndt, Penny McHatten, Joe Weber, Stephanie Caverhill and Jessica Grass; in row four, Sean Donovan, Peter Forbes, Glen Stairs, Steve Ayotte, Doug Cyr, Dean Collins, Marcia Hartt and Cathy Donovan; in row five, Andy Coiley, Vanessa Patenaude, Bethany Paterson, Katie Canton, Kelly Hoffses, Denise Hoffses Condon and Barb Bartlett; and, absent from photo, Kerry Flanagin, Erin Bartlett, Elissa Madore, Kirk Ward and Tonya Alexander.
“We called ourselves the orange train of pain,” said team organizer and participant Melanie Stewart. “We had all ability levels from beginners who had only just recently gotten on a bike all the way to veterans. The first day we all started together, but then we just naturally started to spread out.”
The trekkers enjoyed perfect weather as they biked from Sunday River to Farmington in the first day and on to Colby College on the second day of the ride.
Getting back on the bike for a second day’s travel daunted some of the riders, including Stewart. “The second day it took about 20 miles, but then everything started going again,” she said.
As a large group, Team Mojo qualified for a spot in tent city on the campus. They were provided a tent to decorate and show off their accomplishments during the event. Mojos represented the County by wearing paper crowns.
The cyclists crossed the finish at Belfast in drenching rain on the third day. “Barb Bartlett said ‘she couldn’t have been more wet than if she’d been naked in her bath tub’,” remembered Stewart.
Despite the differing reasons behind each bikers decision to ride, a sense of accomplishment waited for them past the finish line.
Andy Coiley, a third-year veteran of the trek, first took part in the ride for his brother’s mother-in-law, Beryl Bass, who was being treated for lung cancer at the time. “She passed away and now I do it in her honor,” explained Coiley. “The amazing thing about this ride is there are about 1,800 riders and 400 volunteers, and they all have a reason to be there. Everyone is really supportive.”
Encouragement came not only from volunteers and other riders, but the spectators along the three-day route. “There were little school kids outside with signs and cowbells, and there were posters everywhere,” said Stewart.
First-time trekker Barb Bartlett put 100 miles behind her before the cross-Maine event. Bartlett made a health conscious decision to join Team Mojo. “Part of the reason was because it was for a good cause, and part of it was a personal quest, a level of personal fulfillment. And, being a good example for my children health-wise is really important to me,” explained Bartlett.
Stephanie Caverhill was one of the fastest members of the team. Having cycled 20 to 25 miles a day on her own for several years, Caverhill jumped at the chance to put in 60-mile days and see how she would fare in a large group.
“I didn’t know how strong of a biker I was, but I was able to keep up with the big boys at the trek,” said Caverhill.
Team Mojo included Stewart, Coiley, Anja Whittington, Anne Marshall, Bartlett, Brent Grass, Cary Grant, Catherine Donovan, Dean Collins, Denise Condon, Donna Doel, Doug Cyr, Elissa Madore, Erin Bartlett, Glen Stairs, Hal Stewart, Jared Jandreau, Jeff Bennett, Jessica Grass, Joe Weber, John Marshall, Jonathan Kelley, Katherine Cantin, Kelley Hoffses, Kerry Flanagin, Kim McCrea, Kirk Ward, Kyle Washington, Marcia Hartt, Mark Fullen, Matt Michaud, Melissa Arndt, Penny McHatten, Peter Forbes, Richard Nichols, Robert Kieffer, Sean Donovan, Caverhill, Steve Ayotte, Tonya Alexander and Vanessa Patenaude.
A team from Cary Medical Center also participated in the ’08 event. Members were Brent Jepson, Brandon LeVasseur, Kerry Flanagin, Sue Ouellette and Dave Silsbee.
Over 1,800 bikers from 28 states joined in the 180-mile ride to raise approximately $1,400,000 for the ALA.
Team Mojo, as the fourth largest team, raised $27,877.
Plans are already in the works to build a team for next year’s trek. From his experience, Coiley recommends that those interested in riding accumulate about 300 to 400 miles leading up to the event. “Every 15 to 20 miles there is a rest area; even a novice bicyclist is going to be able to do it,” said Coiley.
Contributed photo/Brent Jepson
Cary Medical Center team members take a break at the Trek Across Maine event. Pictured are, from the left, Brent Jepson, Sue Ouellette and Dave Silsbee.
