Lakeville cyclist to ride 80 miles for his 80th birthday

LAKEVILLE -- Some people might celebrate their 80th birthdays with 80 candles and a party.

Robert Friedman of Lakeville is riding 80 miles on his bicycle.

The trek, which is scheduled for July 11, will not just be for personal recreation. He is riding to raise money for The Matthew Mission Food Pantry in Taunton, which he described as an “important and very wonderful organization.’’

Dr. Freidman, who is a medical doctor, said combining his 80th birthday with an 80-mile adventure was a “can’t miss.’’

Needless to say, this will not be his first ride. He estimates he has put thousands of miles on his bike.

He has biked the Pan Mass Challenge for 25 years, raising more than half a million dollars for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the two-day ride.

But for his 80th, he wanted to take a new approach. He chose to raise money for the Matthew Mission Pantry in Taunton, which is located at First Parish Church in Taunton, 76 Church Green. 

The pantry serves individuals from Taunton and surrounding communities, including Lakeville and Middleboro.

Dr. Friedman’s ride will take him from his Lakeville home to Mattapoisett, Marion, Plymouth, with a lunch stop at Plymouth Rock, Kingston, Plympton and Middleboro before returning to a friend’s home in Lakeville.

Keeping the ride local reflects the bulk of his bike trips. “I hardly ever put my bike on the car,’’ he said. “There’s nice riding around here. We’re lucky.’’

Normand Grenier, a Lakeville resident and president of the Matthew Matthew Mission Pantry, said the pantry will benefit greatly from the ride, at a time when need is great.

Supporting the pantry is a “non-partisan effort,’’ Grenier said. “Everybody is opposed to having an American feel hungry.’’