My PMC Experience 2010

This past weekend, I competed in my 2^nd Pan-Mass Challenge ride. The Pan-Mass Challenge is a 192 mile ride from Sturbridge, MA to Provincetown, MA on the tip of Cape Cod. This year, the PMC should raise over $31 million dollars to fund cancer research and treatment through the Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund. Like most of the other 5,000+ riders, I take this cause personally. Before my dad passed away from lung cancer, a mere 4 months after being diagnosed, he was in the process of writing a book to chronicle his bike adventures across the country. The book documented more than 3,670 riding miles, 62 riding days, and travels through 14 states. While my 192 mile ride looks paltry by comparison, he would have loved that I have become an avid cyclist, and, that I am riding to help fight the disease that took his life.

This year’s ride, like last year, was awe-inspiring. I looked forward to each mile, not because it would get me that much closer to the end and ice-cold beer (which is an added bonus), but because I knew each mile would bring more cheering sections and sights to see. All last year’s highlights were present- ‘Da Hedge’ (100’s of screaming summer campers lining the side of the road making noise like only 12 year olds can), the ‘Over The Hill Cheerleaders’ (a grey haired cheering section at the top of the largest hill on day 2), ‘Cherry St.’ (a neighborhood decked out with red ribbons, American flags, and live bands), bagpipers playing “Rocky,” cowbells, great signs, and, new this year, vuvuzelas. The pervasive and overwhelming camaraderie and kindness of the other riders, volunteers, and people cheering us on is something I have only experienced during the PMC. I hope to experience it many, many more times.

In his book, my dad wrote (a borrowed quote), “One life is an absurdly small allowance.” PMC weekend brings this home. Not only because it reminds me of all that is good (joie de vivre), but because it reminds me that there are still too many people who don’t even get their fair share of this small allowance. I am looking forward to riding again next year and, as the PMC slogan says, getting “closer by the mile” to a cure.

Thank you again for your support in the form of donations, keeping me company on rides, or putting up with my griping about training (perhaps all of the above).

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