September 19, 2010: the Last Gasp Charity Bike Ride/(Race)

The race/ride could not have been better: beautiful weather, a biker  gang directing traffic, much adrenaline, bagpipes, power bars, water, Gold Bond Medicated Body Powder, 62 miles of finely paved road from Sandwich to Provincetown, and more.

Handlebar Moustache for Charity team members: Steve Swain,
Richard Bonanno, Bob Zarum, and Chris Hosford at rest stop #2.

A heartfelt thanks to all those who offered support; in the coming days you will hear from me in a more official manner. In the meantime, experience the intensity as if you, too, had been there!

Winner of "Release your pain...share a story" Contest

Ladies and Gentlmen, We have a winner: Francesca Rizzo, sharing her story about Ashley Rode.

"Ashley Rode, more fondly known as Ascilei, is a rare gem of a person and friend found in today’s generation.  If one believed in reincarnation, one would know that she possessed an old soul, one that could not only be described a Renaissance woman.  With her deep knowledge of foreign languages, both dead and living, along with the immense passion for discovery, Ascilei is able to live a grand a supremely fulfilling life, no matter where she may be in the world.  I first met her the last day of the fall semester in 2007 during a final exam.  She sat down next to me and we started talking about our great passion for the majestic country, Italy, and in that moment our great friendship and adventures took off.  Through the years our relationship has only grown stronger, even though the distance now keeps us apart. "

Ashley R.

Congratulations Francesca Rizzo; thanks to all those who participated.

Day 42: Handlebar Training Instructional Video

The last few days have been quite exciting as we move to the final week of training for the big race. Team Handlebar Moustache, a subsidiary of Team Cape Cod Beer, had a very productive ride and twisting session on Sunday, completing nearly 40 miles of the pleasant Cape Cod Rail Trail in preparation for what will surely culminate in a very a successful event. If you haven't already contributed, please see the Last Gasp site and contribute to one of our riders: Richard Bonanno, Shaun Kerr, or Steve Swain. The writer of this blog would prefer you helped push him into the "Big Wheel" category with a generous contribution, but please know that Steve and Shaun have fallen behind on their fundraising efforts. Steve, as you will see in the video below, has managed nonetheless to exceed expectations in handlebar growth. Thanks to those of you who have already contributed...to those who have yet to support such a worthy cause, there is still time to give!

Day 39 Musings

With the help of Clubman Moustache Wax, a registered trademark of American International Indurstries, Los Angeles, CA 90040, I have made significant progress in feigning a full-fledged handlebar moustache, which, incidentally, I am debating keeping for years to come. The road training has been another story altogether; I attribute my reduced stamina to the drag created by my wax-laden moustache. I have gained a greater appreciation of my dear friend Mike Wallace of Vineyard Enterprises who once said: "There's no doubt about it: you either look good or be warm." For next year's race (preference is given to calling the event a "race" and not a "ride") I propose to atone the disparity between practical matters and vanity by shaving my entire body and devising an altogether new marking initiative entitled "Buff Body for Charity." I already have a photo shoot in mind.

Day 39: photo by Marissa Bognanno of the Boot

push, push, grow, train

The race date is not far away, and I have increased my training regimen. Thanks to all who have contributed to such a worthy cause...keep it coming.

In training

Day 28: in training

As you can see, I have been following a strict training regimen, which has prevented me from keeping updates. The Cape Cod Beer Bash was a huge success. I am back to work. Thanks to all those who have donated thus far.

AMI: Defenders of Style

We all develop style in all facets of life. We present ourselves, perform endeavors, and follow our crafts in special ways. Cormac McCarthy has a certain writing style that drives the content of his novels in a profound way. The same may be said of any great writer. My father has a very unique style of dress, full-on proletariate shabby, that he has developed during years of wearing work uniforms; I like to wonder how he would choose to present himself were he a candidate for an Oscar. This highly positive flight of fancy has led me to seriously consider pitching to Aramark executives that they expand their operations to the sphere of leisure wear. 

And the Oscar goes to...Tommaso Antonio Bonanno for "Doing it His Way!"

The American M(o)ustache Institute (AMI) is in the business not of making a fortune but rather of "protecting the rights of, and fighting discrimination against, mustached Americans by promoting the growth, care, and culture of the mustache." These defenders of style deserve credit for their work, namely their resource pages and provocative monthly mustache interviews including such m(o)ustachioed luminaries as Patrick Bertoletti, competitive eater, Hemky Madera, actor, and Alexander Antebi, 2007 "Imperial Mustache Champion." You can find faith in the LWV, hope in the ACLU, love in the IBEW, charity in the MSPCA...I will choose to find all of the above in the AMI and may even opt to bear their standard well beyond September 19, 2010, when the Last Gasp charity event will be held on Cape Cod.