I had a fantastic weekend riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge! This being my fifth year of riding, I knew what to expect in some ways, but I am always overwhelmed by the incredible support bestowed upon us by the thousands of volunteers and cheering supporters along the route. The 190 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown would be grueling without them!The weekend started on Friday in Sturbridge, where we registered, ate at the carbo-load dinner, and watched the opening ceremonies. If you didn't catch the show on NECN, visit their website for some of the highlights. It is always a motivational and inspirational program, and this year was no different. Following the show, my riding partner and weekend roommate Michelle and I retired to our hotel room at 9:30 to try to catch some ZZZ before the big day ahead. Five hours of sleep was all I got, but the anticipation of the ride got me going in the morning. We lined up at the start at 5:30 and were off at 6 AM.
The first 40 miles are very challenging - we ascend several steep hills before descending into the Blackstone Valley. From there on out it's mostly rolling hills with a few doozies just before the lunch stop in Dighton at mile 69. After a lunch of a turkey sandwich, cookies, SmartFood, cookies, pretzels, cookies, pickles, cookies, and cookies, Rich and I set off to conquer the remaining 40 miles to Bourne, our overnight stop. Luckily for us, the weather stayed mild throughout the mid-afternoon - we must have stayed just ahead of the storm.
Mile 85 is around where your body realizes how much you're planning on punishing it that day. The feeling in your "saddle region" becomes more pain than sore and your neck and shoulders begin to tense up from riding in the same position for hours. Again, the volunteers and supporters (and the Gatorade) kept me pedaling to the day's finish line, 109 miles from where the day began.
After parking my bike for the night, I headed straight for the massage registration tent to sign up for a much-desired 15-minute massage. They tend to run out of appointments before I arrive each year, so I was determined to ride fast enough to get one. Nope. All gone. They told me about waiting in the standby line, so I planned to do that later. First - shower!
They skies turned ominous around dinner time and a big thunderstorm rolled through. Thankfully I was done riding for the day, but a few weren't so lucky. Don't worry though - everyone got in safely (albeit drenched).
My half hour of waiting in the massage standby line was well worth it. Elena, a volunteer massage therapist, melted the tension from my neck and shoulders and soothed my aching quads. I left the 15-minute massage feeling ready to take on another 77 miles in the morning.
After loading our luggage on the truck and grabbing a quick breakfast, Michelle, Rich, and I were on the road at 5:40 AM, headed for the Bourne Bridge and Provincetown. The first 20 miles are scenic and fun - we ride over and along the Cape Cod Canal at dawn, a beautiful way to start the day. Then we ride on Service Road, the closest you come to a roller coaster ride on a bike (so long as you have enough momentum to get up the next hill!).
Even though the ride starts and ends earlier on the second day, there are even more people out along the route cheering. Some famous spectators include the "Over the Hill Cheerleaders" with their pom poms and encouraging words at the top of a hill in Truro. Also, shortly before the second rest stop of the day, the Cape Cod Sea Camp gathers hundreds of teenagers, that together form " Da Hedge," a virtual wall of cheers. It's so great to have such great people to look forward to seeing at specific points along the route.
After a long two days of cycling, I completed the 2008 Pan-Mass Challenge at 11:12 AM in Provincetown. Hundreds more cheering supporters were at the finish line. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. All that was left to do was shower (of course), eat, and ride the ferry back to Boston. My fifth Pan-Mass Challenge was one of the best yet!
I reached my goal of safely and swiftly biking 190 miles across Massachusetts, but I still need your help to reach my goal of raising $4,000 for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Click on the "Make a Donation" link at right to support this excellent cause. 100% of your donation will go directly to the Jimmy Fund in support of Dana-Farber, so please give generously! Thanks to all that have made donations - you are amazing!
