Charlie Mandigo: With the wind at his back and his grandmother in his heart

by Sarah Barr

Staff Writer

When Charlie Mandigo moved from Manchester to Cromwell in 2012 he probably didn’t think he’d be moving so much by bicycle in 2025.

If you asked the Cromwell High School senior a year ago if he would be biking 85 and 100 miles, “I would have thought you were crazy,” he said.

Well, life can be a little crazy.

For the past five years Charlie has been riding 85 miles for Closer to Free to raise awareness and money for cancer research and patient care at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center. He does this in memory of his grand-mother, who passed away in 2021 after a long battle with colon cancer.

What a difference a year makes in the weather. Riding together again in 2025.

His most recent effort came just days before his second-ever Seacoast Cen-tury bike ride, a two-day annual cycling feat in September that takes place along the coast of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. The 50-plus year-old event offers different distance routes from 25 to 100 miles.

Charlie chose the 100-mile stretch both years. Each year, he’s also been the youngest to register in his category. What a difference there was between year one and year two.

“Last year, it was stormy and rainy. Seaweed was in our bike wheels and waves crashed, going over our legs,” is how he described his inaugural effort. “This year we were blessed with sunny weather.”

While Mother Nature made the first adventure a little scary, the second time he was able to soak in the scenery instead of getting soaked.

“It’s not a race or a competition, so I could enjoy taking it all in. I see parts of the country most people don’t get to see,” Charlie said. “I go from trees in tiny towns of New Hampshire to cottages and beachside shops and restaurants in Maine.”

Another joyful part of the view is that he gets to ride alongside his mother Cindy Botticello, who has now completed the milestone four times. Doing it to-gether these last two years has been extra special.

Last year’s rain-soaked event didn’t damper the enthusiasm of mother and son making this ride together.

That’s because, let’s face it, most 17-year-olds would rather train alone or with their friends than with their mom. This mom gets that.

“He’s 17. Heading to college. Having this time with him to do these things is incredible. Not many parents get this time,” she said.

“I’m fortunate enough to do it with my mom, not doing it all alone,” Charlie added.

They train little by little over the spring and summer. The virtual Closer to Free ride is a good tune-up. While their lost loved one is always on their minds and in their hearts, what’s ringing in their ears while they peddle and pump the brakes together is a little different.

“I have a whole playlist going through my head: Ariana Grande to Paul McCartney to Michael Jackson. All different beats,” Charlie said.

He plans to major in audio production. His mother muted the music this time around, relying on GPS instead of a music platform.

“This course can be especially tough to follow because the towns up there do not allow road markings so we have to rely on GPS or paper course sheets [which are far too difficult to read while riding]. I had the navigation on voice commands the entire day so we wouldn’t get off course,” Botticello said.

For two consecutive years Charlie Mandigo has been the youngest bicyclist to enter the 100-mile category.

“Last year we missed a turn and wound up riding an additional five miles, making our total ride distance 105 miles in terribly stormy weather. I tried to be super attentive this year, especially with the course changes, and made sure to pack a battery backup to charge my phone so we could use the GPS,” she added.

No matter what they were listening to, the message was the same, one of safety, love and resilience, even if it sounds crazy.

“I’ve persevered,” Charlie said. “Stay patient with yourself. Pace yourself and keep trying.”

“He also just organized and ran the Cromwell High School branch of the CCMC Heroes and Helpers Toy Drive. Charlie and his brother Jack, who planned the CMS drive, helped me de-liver an entire SUV loaded with toys,” Botticello said.

“Be grateful for the time together,” she added. “I’m trying to teach my kids to work hard. You can achieve anything if you put the time and work in. It doesn’t have to be at anyone else’s pace but your own.”

That’s an example to uphold to Charlie’s twin 15-year-old siblings.

“Having Charlie work hard and initially not believe it was attainable, and then to work through this and achieve this amazing accomplishment, influences his brother and sister,” she said.

“It also sends a message to his peers. He’s not on a sports team, but there’s a whole other side of him and he can work through something. That’s also something that doesn’t pop up on a grade book.” CL

For more information about the Seacoast Century ride log onto Granite State Wheelers at <a href="https://gswheelers.org/" target="_blank">gswheelers.org</a>.