common good

And it certainly isn't about this biker, a.k.a. cyclist, a.k.a. "Trekker", a.k.a. yours truly, yet it is definitely all about a mission to benefit all Mainers. I will get to my small part later. I will also explain why I took this photo of a well-seasoned Maine bicycle last week…leaning on a well-seasoned Maine shed.

Bicycles are impressive machines. Elegant in their simplicity, they: A. contribute zero emissions into the atmosphere, while B. contribute considerable health benefits to the person pushing hard on its pedals. Not entirely coincidentally, the cleanliness of Maine's air, and the health of the two to three million lungs in Maine have a lot to do with the elegant bicycle…lots of them. My small part this year hinges on upgrades to both the inanimate and animate elements in A. and B. respectively. I will get to that in a minute or two. First, the really important stuff:

Those two points above have a lot to say in terms of why 1500 or so earnest cyclists (referred to as Trekkers, myself included) will be spending this Father's Day Weekend once again, sweating, aching and working towards a common goal while cycling 180 up-and-down miles from Sunday River Ski Area in Newry to the sea, Belfast harbor to be exact.

This effort has been a signature event of early summer in Maine for 24 years now. This year's event will be the 25th Anniversary of the Trek Across Maine, the American Lung Association of Maine's incredible fundraising event that each year brings thousands of cyclists and volunteers together for what is perhaps the leading state lung association in the country. There is a lot of pride in that fact by all who are involved in the "Trek." This event (specifically the money that it raises), has a lot to do with that success.

Our national leadership in the fight against the big tobacco companies and their products' serious health impact on Maine's citizens has been recognized nationally on many occasions. That fight is far from over. Another fight, for cleaner air drifting across our state and inside our buildings, is just starting in earnest.

Air quality is not just about the health of the environment, it is about the health of our kids, our elderly, and every one of us, for that matter. The urgency of that fight is increasing. That is why the Maine's lung association is ramping up its fight, the Healthy Air Campaign, based on the premise that all Mainers have a right to clean air both indoors and outdoors. There is an important way each of us can participate in this fight, even if you are not directly cycling in, or volunteering for, this year's Trek. I'll get to that in a bit.

In terms of my personal interest in all of this, it goes back to the late '70s and '80s at Maine Medical Center. Physical therapists are just one category of health professionals that see firsthand and strive to address, the considerable needs of patients with lung disease and damage, a large percentage of which is related directly to tobacco use. I was one of those PTs who worked with many others, including pulmonary medicine physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists in dealing with the devastating effects that smoking has on those with a smoking addiction and their families.

That led to my direct involvement for the last 7 or 8 years, as a leadership board member of the American Lung Association of Maine. I have never been involved with a finer group of dedicated and talented board members and staff. Additionally, for the last year and a half, I have worked for the Center of Tobacco Independence and the Healthy Maine Partnerships as a Clinical Outreach Specialist, going to medical, dental and behavior health clinics in four counties here in the western Maine mountains, doing presentations updating clinicians with the latest research-based information on how to best help their patients and clients to stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco products.

I tell you these things just to underscore the fact that I take seriously the huge negative impact on not only the health of, but the economic impact on, our friends and neighbors statewide due to smoking, and our increasing- ly unhealthy air quality.

Regarding the bike in the photograph: It is just about exactly the vintage of my first bike, a Sears and Roebuck, J.C. Higgins model, that after a few scraped-knee and elbow incidents, I learned to ride in the early '50s in Great Falls, Mont. When I spotted this old bike, it brought back many years of wonderful memories as a kid… scraped body parts notwithstanding. I thought it would do the same for many of you as well. As I said, bicycles are elegant machines…glitzy new ones with all the bells and whistles and old ones alike.

Insofar as the needed upgrades are concerned regarding my upcoming 5th ride in the Trek Across Maine, the animate one has been completed. My deteriorated hip joints have been completely replaced, as of last spring. I anticipate fewer pains in those areas this year. My neck, shoulder blades and butt will again make their discomforting statements to me over the course of those 180 miles… however those will be temporary.

Regarding the inanimate upgrade: Two years ago, I swore that I will never do the Trek again on my mountain bike. It is the only bike I own. And the rationalization that the doubling of the physical effort required to propel myself down each mile of pavement as opposed that required with a skinnytired road bike, was good for me… has gone its course. Never again!

To address that issue, a good friend has loaned me his well-seasoned (i.e. old) skinny-tired road bike. I emphasize the "well-seasoned" descriptor. The bike has its own set of shortcomings. However, I am sure that with my new hip joints in place, and my good friend John's bike between them, that I will somehow roll down Belfast's Main Street on Father's Day to its Penobscot Bay harbor once again… having raised a few more dollars for the fight for healthy lungs and healthy air, for all of Maine's citizens, young, old and in-between.

Per usual, your comments are welcome. However, this time the first option is a serious one (this is how you can help meet the goals of the 25th Trek Across Maine): and you can help me reach my personal fundraising requirements by: 1. Going to www.lungme.org, 2. click on "Trek Across Maine," 3. click on "Trek Online Services," 4. click on "Pledge a Trekker," 5. type in my name: Allen Wicken and follow the prompts. I thank you in advance.

Many of you have perhaps already pledged support for others in the area, especially those of my teammates riding for team "Carrabassett Cycology." For that I thank you as well. Oh yes, you can exercise another option… you can of course email me at allenwicken@yahoo.com with your comments, hopefully expressing your interest in mailing a check payable to the American Lung Association of Maine. My mailing address is P.O. Box 838, Rangeley, Maine 04970.

I very sincerely thank you in advance.

"We need to write, otherwise nobody will know who we are," Garrison Keillor.