It’s a countdown to the bike ride for our family’s foundation: COAST of HOPE. Most of my family rides. I coordinate the event.

The routes include a family-friendly 12-mile distance, a half-metric and full-metric century. Some people register in advance. Others come on the day of the event.

For months preceding this weekend, we finalize the routes, work out logistics with public safety officials, and coordinate details about supporting the riders with communications, water stops, mobile route teams, EMTs and other infrastructure. Volunteers take on roles that range from registration and site setup to driving the routes, taking photos, and providing support along the way with water and snacks.

This week, it’s hard to sleep. It’s both exciting and nerve-wracking. In many real ways, cyclists’ safety is in my hands. I’ll be at the main start/finish line, near the radio operators, answering my phone and field a lot of questions from riders and volunteers.

We’ll launch the ride with a flight of a thousand and more paper cranes, courtesy of the Ipswich Fire Department. We’ll hear music sung by Sarah Doktor, and another song recorded by Gnarly Charlie.

And then it will be in the legs, hearts and lungs of the bikers. To follow the signs. Read the maps. Pedal. Ride.

Of course, many others are sponsoring those who ride. And isn’t that the way such events work? We all do what we can. Some cycle. Some help make the ride possible. Others step up as sponsors.

If you wonder why we do all this? To help children and families living with cancer and other catastrophic challenges. Almost every day, I write about the impact that cancer has had on my family. One way or another, it shapes our reality.

Through our foundation Bright Happy Power, and this ride, we try to make sense of it all. To make a difference. To transform our family’s experience into something that can inform and educate, and help others going forward.

Thanks to everyone who will participate this weekend. To learn more, visit www.coastofhope.org.

4-1/2 years ago, I stood before about 600 people as we remembered my youngest child Jessie. And I borrowed an image that a friend had discussed with me.

You see, we’d gone for a walk with our daughters at Bradley Palmer State Park. Jessie was riding her purple two-wheel bike with training wheels.

Filled with energy  and ambition, she’d pedaled far ahead of us. The road curved, and we couldn’t see her anymore.

Of course, we knew she was just up ahead on the road. Just out of sight. Too far to hear us shout. But there just beyond our ability to see or reach her, riding along. Knowing we were behind her, keeping pace, watching, and traveling toward the same destination.

As a metaphor for the journey we’re taking, it’s comforting. She’s out there on the path ahead of us, around the bend, almost within reach.

We’ll catch up with her eventually.

This Saturday, as the Coast of Hope cyclists travel, they will ride the same route as Jessie. Coming the other direction. They will ride around the bend, toward us, into view.

We will cheer. Ring cow bells. Make noise. Celebrate their safe return.

Here are the words to the theme song Spin that Sarah recorded last year, and will sing again to launch the ride this year:

SPIN (Lyrics by Gail Doktor © 2011)

Hearts cry out as wheels start turnin’
One more ride and one more day
Dare ask questions along this journey
Hope for answers along the way

Sure I’ve been lost and I’ve been broken
Look for hope after living through hell
Had to stop and start all over
Still carry scars from times I fell

REFRAIN:
Oh you can’t measure life in speed and distance
Or starting points and finish lines
It’s where we go and who rides with us
Every moment, every mile

What comes next? No way of knowing
Each arrival includes farewell
In our coming is our going
… in between we spin the wheel.

REFRAIN:
Oh you can’t measure life in speed and distance,
Or starting points and finish lines
It’s where we go and who rides with us
Every moment every mile

BRIDGE:

Find the beat
Moving you onward
Breathe the song
Of our going
Hear the drumming
Of our heartbeats
Risk the turning
Of the wheel

REFRAIN:

Oh, you can’t measure life in speed and distance,
Or starting points and finish lines
It’s where we go and who rides with us
Every heartbeat, every hope found
Every moment, every mile