13th PMC a Huge Success!

It's been over a week since the ride, but I'm still coming down from the high that was my 13th Pan-Mass Challenge. Every year the ride is special, but there were many reasons to make this one particularly poignant.

Day 0: On Thursday evening, 16 of my teammates and I set out for the New York border to prepare for the optional and unofficial Day 0 ride. This is a ride before the official PMC that starts at the western edge of Massachusetts and continues to the starting line in Sturbridge, making the weekend a TRUE  Pan-Mass Challenge. This year, we rode in memory of Danno, our beloved teammate who passed away after a cycling accident in November. We wore his bike shop's cycling kit to honor him.

Danno was a great motivator and cycling coach, and we all heard his encouraging words in our heads as we rode that grueling route through the Berkshire mountains. The hills were tough, and the miles long, but this is what we trained for. We did it together, as a team, just as Danno would have done with us. He would have also gotten a huge kick out of the best rest stop of the day, at the Magic Lantern in the "Champagne Room." :) Day 0 was a success, if a bittersweet one.

Day 1: Once we get to Sturbridge, there is a very specific order of operations: Day 0 team photo, beer, registration, shower, beer, food, beer, and opening ceremonies (thank goodness for Harpoon!). The next morning, my teammates and I (and, you know, 6,300 other people) set off at sunrise to begin our day of cycling. It was fantastic weather for riding - not too hot, relatively dry air, and a beautiful pink sky over us. The first few miles of the ride are overwhelming because there are SO many of us, but over time we start to spread out and the density of riders becomes more manageable.

At mile 49 was another bittersweet moment. That is where every year, Danno's wife, Jacqui, holds a special water stop for my team complete with baked goods and fresh fruit. What was missing was Danno, but we knew he was watching over us from the bike shop in his garage. Jacqui, it was so good to see you, and thank you so much for treating us so well over the years!

At the lunch stop, I saw Theresa, my teammate who recently kicked skin cancer to the curb! She was hurting (and rightfully so - she had just gotten out of her post-surgery wheelchair two weeks prior) but her determination brought tears to my eyes. Cancer struck way too close to home, but we, all 6,300 riders and 4,000 volunteers, were here to do something about it.

At the Lakeville water stop, at mile 85, we were greeted by Anna, our Pedal Partner. In prior years, she was shy, afraid of loud noises, and reserved (2.5 years of chemo will do that to a kid). She finished her chemo treatment in December, and since then, her hair has regrown, and so has her energetic personality! She was dancing and singing to the music the whole time! You should have seen the look on her face when she saw "Anna's Bike Team" roll in! The look on her face - pure joy - and the look on her parents' faces - pure relief - said it all: this is why we ride.

Day 1 wasn't my fastest, but it was one of the most emotional I have experienced. From seeing Anna to watching Theresa pedal on to a rest stop at Danno's, it was an emotional roller coaster. But with the best teammates in the world, we got it done in pure TKK style - with laughter through tears.

Day 2: On my third day of cycling, after having ridden over 200 miles the prior two days, I felt surprisingly ready to tackle Day 2. After a very slow ride over the Bourne Bridge (apparently everyone decided to leave at the same time), and a nice sunrise rise along the Cape Cod Canal, the fun really got started, Service Road parallels Route 6 but has a series of rolling hills that, if you build up momentum, you can fly up and down them. I did, and it was exhilarating!

On Day 2, more than any other day, I rode with a larger group of teammates, which truly makes a long ride turn into a rolling party. The laughter was constant! Since we wear our team kits on Day 2, we looked like a more cohesive team, and the crowd loved it. "Hey, look at that great-looking team!" we would hear (we sure are, lady!). One mile from the finish line, we stopped at our traditional photo spot for our "champagne" toast team photo. Another successful PMC ride in the books!

The ride is over, but the fundraising continues. I am $630 from my $9,000 goal! 100 percent of your donation will go straight to the Jimmy Fund, which supports Dana-Farber's life-saving cancer research and compassionate patient care. Making a donation to the PMC is one of the best ways you can make a difference in the fight against cancer. Join me to help make cancer HISTORY. Donate here: https://give.pmc.org/jf0128. Thank you!

Getting Stronger!

The Pan-Mass Challenge is in 11 days! I've been ramping up my training over the last few weeks to prepare for my 3-day, 275-mile journey across the Commonwealth - all with the goal of raising funds to fight cancer.

Last weekend, Ian and I did the annual Climb to the Clouds ride, a 60-mile ride up to the top of Mount Wachusett (2,000 feet above sea level!). It was a hot day, so we got an early-ish start. The foothills that lead to the mountain are tough, but are a breeze compared to the two-tiered climb to the summit. The first section is on aptly named Mile Hill Road - it's over a mile at a relatively steady but steep angle, starting at the mountain's base and climbing to the Visitor Center. From there, you get a brief reprieve before tackling the summit road (which is steep enough to be a ski trail in the winter!). That road has more flat and downhill parts, which means the rest is even steeper than Mile Hill Road. I can't explain to you the sense of accomplishment when you get to the top! It takes a few minutes for my heart rate to come down to actually appreciate the view. But it's a nice one, as you can see in the photo above!

Yesterday, Ian set out on another hot day (sensing a theme) to the South Shore to do one of our favorite routes: the South Shore Coastal Loop. If you look at the map on that link, you'll see that what we did isn't actually a loop. Instead of driving to Rockland to start the ride, we left from home and rode through Dorchester, Quincy, and Weymouth to get to the starting line. That let us enjoy the coastal scenery and end in Hull, which is a long spit of land that sticks out into Boston harbor. Instead of riding back down through Hull and on boring, busy roads back to Rockland, we took the ferry from Hull to Boston - a mere 23-minute ride. And THE BOAT HAD A BAR! It was the perfect end to a great training ride.

As fun as this all sounds (and it is VERY fun!), I'm doing all of this for an extremely worthy cause. I have committed to raising $8,000 this year for the Jimmy Fund, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's fundraising arm. If you choose to support my efforts, 100 percent of your donation will go straight to the Jimmy Fund, which supports Dana-Farber's innovative cancer research and its life-saving and compassionate cancer care. Please join me and donate today. Thank you!

$2,000 in 7 Days Challenge!

I did a training ride in the dunes of Provincetown yesterday!

It's that time again! I'm setting a goal to raise $2,000 over the next 7 days for my Pan-Mass Challenge ride. The funds that I raise, with your support, help to fund the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the world's leading cancer research and treatment centers. The PMC provides over half of the Dana-Farber's annual funding to support innovative research that is leading to cancer cures, and compassionate care of the patients they serve. 100 percent of your donation will go straight to the Jimmy Fund, the Dana-Farber's fundraising arm. I strongly believe that supporting the Dana-Farber through the PMC is one of the BEST things you can do to fight cancer. Please join me and make your donation today!

2016 marks my 13th year riding the PMC, and I couldn't be more excited to get back to it! This year, I am doing the unofficial "Day 0" which includes an extra day (and 90 miles) of riding through the Berkshires and Western Mass prior to the start of the official ride. I am doing Day 0 in memory of our beloved teammate, Danno, who passed away last year. We will have quite a contingent in Danno's honor - I know he'd be proud! Three more weeks to train!

PMC Training in the Green Mountains

The Lesbaru loaded with our bikes!

Last Saturday, Ian and I drove up to Vermont to ride in the Long Trail Century Ride, which benefits Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, an organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming, regardless of ability to pay. We were both excited to support this cause and to ride the 60-mile that the ride organizers had put together. Riding in a state whose motto includes the word "mountain" was a good way to train for the PMC as well!

A few of my Team Kinetic Karma teammates (Joe, Vicky, Amanda, and Christine), joined Ian and me on the ride. The route is gorgeous and simple - only 5 turns - which helped us keep our focus on conquering the climbs instead of fumbling with a cue sheet. The route starts with a gradual downhill with some rolling hills. Then, around mile 10, you start a 6-mile, 700-foot ascent. Ian, Christine, and I skipped the awkwardly placed rest stop at the tippy top of the hill (just on the side of the road, no real place to pull off comfortably) and spun out our legs on the fast, bumpy descent. We met up with Joe, Vicky, and Amanda at the second rest stop (37 miles in). After saying goodbye and getting back on the road, a nice Canadian gentleman joined our paceline. Then he dropped his chain and we ditched him like true patriots. Murica!

There was a gradual ascent that led back into another gradual descent - we took advantage of our momentum and picked up the pace. My average speed kept climbing as we approached the Brewery (and BEER). We finished earlier than expected, just before 1 PM - just as the heat of the day was settling in.

I decided in advance that I'd be happy with a 16 mph average. I haven't been training as much as I usually do, and it was a new course in a mountainous state. I set the bar low. Way too low apparently. We finished with an average speed of 18.2! Those are PMC Day 2 speeds for me, not June training ride speeds! I have Christine and Ian to thank for doing much of the pulling!

This is just one of the many training rides I will need to undertake to prepare for my 3-day, 275-mile Pan-Mass Challenge ride in August. Please consider making a donation to support my efforts to raise money for the Jimmy Fund! 100% of your donation will go directly to the Jimmy Fund in support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's life-saving research and compassionate care. Please visit my fundraising page to make your donation today. Thanks! 

Inspiration for My 13th PMC

This year marks my 13th consecutive Pan-Mass Challenge. I've been doing this ride for a while, but by no means has it become routine or ordinary. Every year's ride is different. My first PMC in 2004, which I rode on a hybrid bike, was more difficult than I had imagined. My ride in 2010, my first as a member of Team Kinetic Karma, was where I realized I had tapped into an amazing group of people who would become my friends. The torrential downpours in 2014 made that soaking wet ride one for the record books.

So what will make the 2016 stand out for me? It's who I'll ride for: Danno, Jeff, and Anna.

Danno is the one with the giant glasses and the huge grin.

Danno joined Team Kinetic Karma in 2011 and was a strong presence on our team ever since. A bicycle mechanic with his own shop in his garage, he was always at the ready to fix a flat, true a wheel, or, in my case, tell me that my frame was cracked. Danno also served as our team's athletic trainer, offering cycling workshops and giving advice during our long rides. He was also one of the spirited members of our team. Every time he saw a dog, he'd yell "puppy!" and it always made me smile. He and his wife, who lived just off of the PMC route, opened their home to our team and provided us with our own private rest stop, complete with fresh fruit, baked goods, and, of course, a bike shop for repairs. Danno passed away last fall doing what he loved most - cycling with his friends. This year, I dedicate my ride in Danno's memory. 

Dave, my team captain (left), and Jeff (right) in 2014.

Jeff was a childhood friend of my team captain, Dave. He had since relocated to California and was beginning an acting career when Dave was diagnosed with Stage 3 throat cancer. Inspired by Dave's fight, Jeff joined Team Kinetic Karma in 2014 (yes, the torrential rain year) to ride for his friend. Jeff was far from being a seasoned cyclist, but he crossed that finish line like we all did that year - soaking wet, and smiling. Sadly, Jeff was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma in November, shortly after Danno passed away. The cancer had grown too strong for modern medicine, Jeff's determination, and the thoughts and prayers of his loved ones to defeat. He passed away in January. This year, I dedicate my ride in Jeff's memory.

Anna and her father at last week's Pedal Partner Party!

Anna, Team Kinetic Karma's "pedal partner," is a sweet, strong, and charismatic nine-year old who, in October 2013, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Anna's doctors at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute put her on a chemotherapy regimen to rid her of her cancer. 32 days of induction (intense chemotherapy immediately after the diagnosis). Three rounds of three-week-long consolidation (more chemotherapy). Cranial radiation. 32 weeks of chemotherapy shots. Lumbar punctures. Pneumonia. Blood transfusions. This girl endured so much. Her treatments ended this past December, and I am thrilled to report that Anna is thriving! We saw her at the Pedal Partner Party earlier this month - she was thrilled to see "her bike team" and meet Wally, the Green Monster! Anna has many decades of smiles ahead of her. This year, I dedicate my ride in Anna's honor.

Inspired by Danno, Jeff, and Anna, I will expand my 2016 Pan-Mass Challenge by riding "Day 0," 90 miles from the MA/NY border to Sturbridge one the day before the PMC. That turns my ride into a 3-day, 275-mile Pan-Mass Challenge. I'm also raising my fundraising goal to $8,000 to match my increased physical commitment. Please join me in honoring Danno, Jeff, and Anna by making your cancer-fighting donation today. 100% of your donation will go straight to Dana-Farber's innovative cancer research and compassionate and life-saving care. 

Please visit http://profile.pmc.org/JF0128 to make your donation. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.