On August 23, 2010, Matt Roy of MMRacing will attempt to set the first ever Maine West to East Cycling record.  The record attempt will start on the Maine/New Hampshire border in Fryeburg and end in Lubec at Quoddy Head State Park at the eastern most point in the United States.  The route will cover approximately 250 miles and ascend more than 16,500 feet.

Matt will use the record attempt to raise money for the Dr. Charles H. Weingarten Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program at Boston’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.  He hopes to raise more than $20 per mile through personal donations via FirstGiving.com.  The program provides Spaulding patients, former patients, and disabled members of the community with access to a range of therapeutic recreational activities.  Please visit www.spauldingrehab.org/adaptivesports for more information on the program.

This will be the second such record for Matt.  In August 2007, he set the North to South Cross State Cycling Record for the state of Maine (382.2 miles, 22:24 hrs, 17.06 mph average), a record that he still holds.  He successfully raised more than $4000 for the Weingarten Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program, helping eight patients participate in an entire season of the program.

Matt was inspired to set the Maine records following an April 2006 accident, when he broke his femur in a bicycle race.  The break required immediate surgical repair and hospitalization.  During the weeks Matt spent using a walker, the months on crutches and the fourteen months of physical therapy, he came to realize just how important a part cycling plays in his life.  Matt recognized how fortunate he was to have “only” broken his hip.  Getting back on the bike wasn’t a matter of “if” but a matter of “when.” 
 
To honor all of the support that he has had, he is ready to prove once again that he has made a spectacular comeback and with your help, he will bring hope and support to those who need it most.

To learn more or to offer your support, please contact Matt at matt@mmracing.org.

You will be able to track Matt's progress live on August 23rd at mmracing.org, or via Twitter, @mm_racing.   Satellite progress of the event can be found here starting at 5AM on Monday August 23rd.

Thanks for you support!

MM Racing