Pan-Mass Challenge - Now 50% Longer!

Though the event is called the "Pan-Massachusetts" Challenge, the traditional Sturbridge to Provincetown route does not span the entire state. While Provincetown is indeed the "end of the road," Sturbridge is in Central Massachusetts. A few years ago, a group of riders from Western Massachusetts (my homeland) decided to start their PMC weekend a little early in order to tackle the Berkshire Mountains in the western portion of the state, in order to make it a true Pan-MASS Challenge.
This year I'll be joining them, along with a few of my Team Kinetic Karma teammates. The ride on Friday, which begins at the New York border in Hillsdale, spans about 87 miles. We'll encounter multiple long climbs, including a 10-mile climb of over 1,000 feet in elevation. We'll then descend into the Pioneer Valley, cross the Connecticut River, and ride on to Sturbridge.
I've decided to add to the already challenging PMC route for a few reasons. First, I've increased my fundraising goal by 50% this year, so it only makes sense to raise my riding commitment in the same way. Second, I have a great group of teammates I'll be riding with, who will motivate me up those hills. And finally, I have the time and the energy, so why the heck not?
I hope that this demonstrates to you my commitment to the cause. If I ride longer and harder, perhaps it'll inspire you to dig a little deeper, all in the name of a cancer-free future. Do it for yourself and your loved ones. Do it for those who have inspired you by their strength in fighting cancer. Do it for Charlotte. Click here to make your donation today. Thank you!

The Spirit of the Pan-Mass Challenge

The annual Pan-Mass Challenge ride has become a Massachusetts tradition, like the fireworks on the Charles on the 4th and the Boston Marathon. Now in its 31st year, the PMC has made a huge impact not only on cancer research and care (through the $270 million that the event has raised for the Jimmy Fund), but also through restoring the faith in humanity of everyone involved in the event. The PMC is a weekend filled with good spirit and camaraderie, and that's what makes it my favorite weekend of the year. I've written ride reports for the last two years - they contain a full review of each year's ride. Here I'll touch on the highlights of the weekend, so for a full recap, click here for 2008 and here for 2009.
On Friday evening, riders assemble at the two starting locations (Sturbridge and Wellesley) to register for the ride, eat one last carbo-loading dinner, and watch the opening ceremonies, which are telecast on NECN. We're all reminded of why we ride - a nurse who is riding the PMC in memory of a favorite patient (and past PMC rider); a child who has bravely battled cancer (not once but twice); the families of loved ones who lost their battles with cancer but ride to preserve their memory. Friday prepares you emotionally for what is to come along the route over the next two days.
Saturday morning. Up early after only a few hours of sleep (who could sleep with so much excitement!). This is when you get a sense of the magnitude of this event. The photo at the top of this post gives you an idea of what it's like to be in Sturbridge at 5:30 AM. It's a moving sea of spandex. You feel like you're really part of something. When we roll out of the starting line and make those first pedal strokes, you realize you have a long way to go but have the best company in the world - 5,500 other riders, 3,000 volunteers, and countless supporters lining the route cheering you on and saying "thank you."
The next two days are filled with steep hills, long descents, Gatorade, peanut butter bananas, sore quad muscles, sweat, and smiles. The hills and sore muscles evoke the suffering of those fighting cancer. While not even close to the pain that cancer fighters endure, it is humbling to put my body through stress in recognition of their fight. The smiles and high-fives from children along the route remind me of how strong children undergoing cancer treatment must be. They remind me that cancer doesn't care who you are - it is a merciless disease.
When approaching the finish line in Provincetown on the second day, all the feelings that I've had over the past two days well up and overwhelm me. I'm excited to have achieved the goal of completing this physical challenge, but I wish somehow the good will and PMC spirit would continue on. That's why it's so easy to come back each and every year - this is truly the best weekend of the year.
I encourage you all to be a part of this event at some level. Consider riding or volunteering next year. Join us along the route to experience the PMC spirit first-hand (let me know if you need directions). Or do something RIGHT NOW. Make a donation to support this amazing event. It's an event so well-supported that 100% of your donation will go directly to the Jimmy Fund in support of cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Your support means the world to me and everyone at the PMC, the Jimmy Fund, and Dana-Farber. Together, we will make cancer HISTORY!
To make your donation, visit my fundraising page. Thank you!

A Round of Successes

I've had a lot of successes on the PMC front as of late. Since it's been a while since I posted a training/fundraising update, I have lots of news to share. Grab a cocktail, sit back, and relax (and read on!).
1. Flatbread Company Benefit Night was a huge success! For those of you who didn't know, I held a fundraising event at the brand new Flatbread Company restaurant in Davis Square last Tuesday. A ton of people (including over 50 friends and friends-of-friends) came out to support my PMC ride. By the end of the night, we had raised $350 in raffle ticket sales (congrats to the winners!), $72 in homemade cupcake sales (thanks Wendy!) and a whopping $494.75 in proceeds from pizza sales! That's well over $900, all of which goes directly to the Jimmy Fund. Not bad for an evening's work.  
Fundraising event: SUCCESS!
2. Team Kinetic Karma rode to visit Charlotte, our pedal partner, who is currently undergoing treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Not everyone on the team was able to join us, but we made a strong presence at the Casgar household. Shy at first (who wouldn't be with a dozen men and women in head-to-toe spandex outfits in her driveway), Charlotte opened up and showed us her caterpillar toy. It really moves! :) We're all looking forward to seeing Charlotte and her family having fun at the "Pedal Partner" water stop in Lakeville on the first day of the PMC.
Making a child with cancer smile: SUCCESS!
3. Climb to the Clouds is an annual cycling event organized by Charles River Wheelmen, the local bike club. The ride includes a monumental climb up aptly-named Mile Hill Road to the Visitor's Center atop Mount Wachusett, just north of Worcester. My teammates and I started in Bolton and conquered the mountain together. In order to tack on some more miles, I continued my ride past the parking lot where we started the day to my house in Arlington. I finished the day strong with 92 miles and 3,658 feet of climbing under my belt. Click here for a map of the route and my stats for the day.
Being physically prepared for the PMC: SUCCESS!
So you can tell I've had a pretty successful couple of weeks. But real success will have happened when I've completed the 192-mile journey from Sturbridge to Provincetown and when I've achieved my goal of raising $6,300 for the Jimmy Fund in support of cancer research and care at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I'm hoping to ride this momentum for the next 18 days before the start of the PMC. Please make a donation today. Click here to support the cause and to be a part of a cancer-free future. Thank you for your support!

Fundraising Event - Benefit Night at Flatbread Company in Somerville

Come dine at the BRAND NEW Flatbread Company pizza restaurant in Davis Square in Somerville on Tuesday, July 13th between 5 and 11 PM. They specialize in organic, locally-sourced, and absolutely delicious flatbread pizzas! A portion of the sales will go toward my fundraising efforts for the Pan-Mass Challenge. There will also be a raffle at the door. Invite your friends - this will be a fun night at an amazing restaurant for a great cause! 

Flatbread Company 
45 Day Street
Somerville, MA