OXFORD – Since 1975, Ron Winner has lived in Cape Cod, Mass., but he still thinks of Oxford as “home.”
Following his 60th birthday, Winner decided to make a special trip back to his hometown of Oxford with five friends.
Most people might take a train, bus or even fly across a few states. For the more adventuresome, there’s always renting an RV.
However, Winner decided to make the return even more special by biking the nearly 300 miles from Massachusetts with his biking buddies known as “The Chain Gang.”
The plan, according to Winner, is to leave Cape Cod at 6 a.m. on Saturday and arrive in Oxford sometime in the afternoon on Wednesday.
“Of course, things don’t always go according to plan,” he said, remarking that plenty can change when traveling approximately 90 miles per day.
Winner graduated from Oxford High School in 1970 at which point he joined the Marines. He worked as an electricion in avionics during his four years of service, repairing everything from the navigation systems to the lights in an airplane.
He returned to Oxford in 1974 and although he only stayed in the area a year, it was one of the most important years of his life.
“I worked as a bartender in a place called the Purple Frog, the bar next to Howard Johnsons, where I met a young lady,” he explained. Winner would later marry that young lady. He and his wife, Wendy just celebrated 34 years.
Winner began biking when he was 45 following a heart-attack that prompted a change in activities.
“It was honestly the best thing that ever happened to me,” said Winner.
Since that time he has participated in multiple mini-triathalons and The Last Gasp, a 62 mile charity fundraiser.
“I’m excited I’m coming home, I’ll be able to show my friends the happening spots in the area, where I grew up, worked and lived,” he said. “It’s always nice when you come home.”