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This past weekend, I participated in the Pan-Mass Challenge.  It is a 2-day, 190 mile bike ride from Sturbridge, MA to Provincetown, MA (the tip of Cape Cod).  Since its inception 30 years ago, it has raised $270 million in the fight against cancer.  When I first signed up, I found the distance of the ride to be daunting to say the least.  Turns out, the real “challenge” is to put into words how incredible the experience was and how lucky I feel that I was able to be part of it.

After months of training, long rides with only turtles and deer for company (saw at least one of each on every ride and almost ran into a few of each), 7 flats tires, and A LOT of self-doubt about my ability to ride 110 Day 1 and 80 miles Day 2, PMC weekend arrived.  After several attempts at trying to explain my experience, I gave up and decided to just share a few highlights.  So here they are, in no particular order:

1)      ALL the volunteers who rang bells and cheered for me as a first time rider when I picked up my registration packet and their sincerity in thanking me for riding.

2)      Sitting through the opening ceremonies and listening to the stories of some of the riders- especially the nurse that would be riding her former patient’s bike while wearing her pearls and jersey…. I would see her several times over the course of the weekend.

3)      Seeing thousands of people in matching jerseys at the crack of dawn all with the same mission…

4)      The incredible number of people along the side of the road at the start at 5:30 in the morning to cheer us on, especially the trumpeter playing the rocky theme song…

5)      The 192 miles of nearly constant roadside cheers, signs, and supporters all saying thank you.  One of my favorite signs… “My heart beats because of your feet- Keep pedaling” held by an exuberant woman dancing on her front lawn.

6)      The party atmosphere at nearly every water stop.  For those runners/triathaletes  reading this think of the best finish line parties and imagine getting to experience that every 20 miles or so.

7)      The ice cold beer at mile 103 on Day 1.  Definitely one of the best tasting beers I have ever had.

8)      Rolling into Day 1 finish happy that I got to do it again the next day- I was not ready for the experience to be over. This from someone that never wanted to get on the bike the day after a long ride before

9)      The ongoing debate over whether the puppet I had attached to the back of my helmet was a crab or a lobster…Lots of riders got in on the debate.  I say lobster…. (your decide- photo below)

10)   All the PMC traditions, like “Da Hedge” that no one told me about so that I could be surprised.. I’m not telling any of you either in case you decide to ride 192 and experience for yourself…  Couldn’t go far without seeing something that made me smile and couldn’t wait to see what was ahead.

11)   The way everyone called each other by their first name using the name tags on the back of each of our bikes.. So much nicer to hear “Hey Steph, good morning!  Passing you on the left” than the usual bellow of “on your left!!” you hear on the bike trails most of the time.

12)   Peanut Butter and fluff sandwiches at the water stops- good biking food!

13)   Being first coached remotely and then being adopted by both Tom Lynch and Eric Berman and their respective group of friends and family.  Their support, kindness and camaraderie were a huge part of why I enjoyed the ride so much.

14)   Having my Cousin Casey meet me at the end of day one and day two and schlepping me to the ride start at 4AM on Sunday morning  (Day 2)- talking her way out of a ticket for an illegal U-turn.

15)   Having my Mom and Bob at the finish line.

After the ride on Sunday, Billy Starr, the founder of PMC, shared the following quote with us that he received from another first-time rider like myself.

“Aside from the privilege of being there to hold my mother’s hand as she passed away from cancer, the Pan Mass Challenge was the second most profound experience in my life and I wanted to thank you all personally for it. I have done several fundraising rides for other causes over the years, but never have I felt part of something so critically important – something that truly makes a difference in the lives of others. This weekend I learned it’s not about the personal achievement – it’s about what we, who are strong and able, can give to others- life and hope.  Thank you for all that you do to make that possible.”

Like this rider, I was with my Dad when he passed away from cancer and the PMC was a very profound experience for me as well.  I listened to people thank me for riding for 3 days, but I am the one that is thankful.  Thankful that I can ride, thankful that I was able to be part of the PMC, thankful for everyone that helped me raise the necessary funds and supported me along the way.  I can’t wait for next year.

All my best,

Stephanie

My PMC Page:

http://www.pmc.org/profile/SR0139

Eric’s blog (one of my ride buddies for the weekend)

http://erics2009pmc.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/pmc-2009-the-ride/

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