A Lofty Goal

As I embark on my 16th Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), I’m feeling a bit nostalgic about the rides of years past, and how I got to where I am today. Writing this brought back faded memories of rides past, and reminded me that, while I do this ride every year, every ride is different, and has special meaning to me. Join me as I revisit my previous rides!

2004-2005: I was 22 and about to graduate from college. I signed up for my first PMC without much planning or thought (like a 22-year-old would). I rode a mountain bike, and I suffered for almost every mile of the ride. After finishing, I told myself that I would do the PMC again, just not next year, as the ride and fundraising had been difficult. When registration for the 2005 ride came around, I didn’t think or plan much before registering (like a 23-year-old would). Time had faded the memories of my sore, sore ass. I embarked on the ride, solo again, and haven’t looked back since.

2006-2007: My dad joined me for the 2006 and 2007 rides. I changed my starting location from Wellesley to the traditional start in Sturbridge (which is longer and harder than starting in Wellesley). In 2006, we both rode on mountain bikes, but when my dad told me he was buying a road bike, I bought one too for the 2007 ride. What a difference that made! Finally, the riding part of the ride was fun!

2008-2009: I rode the 2008 and 2009 PMCs with friends from college, Michelle and Rich. It was great to catch up with them as we rode across Massachusetts. The 2008 ride was memorable for an intense thunderstorm that rolled through our overnight location on the first day. The poles on the absolutely massive dining tent lifted off the ground! Thankfully it stayed up and everyone was safe.

2010-2013: In 2010, I joined Team Kinetic Karma, a group of random and lovely people who ride together for their own individual reasons. Through joining the team, I’ve participated in the Pedal Partner Program, which pairs PMC teams with children undergoing cancer treatment. I was delighted to ride in honor of Charlotte, Megan, and Anna with my crazy teammates.

2014-2015: The 2014 ride gets the dubious title of Wettest Ride Ever. Seriously, it did not stop raining for the entire first day. It was also memorable because it was my team captain Dave’s first ride after treatment for stage 3 throat cancer. He rode strong through the rain and made us all so proud.

2016: In 2016, my team rode in honor of two of our fallen teammates: Danno, who died in a cycling crash the previous November, and Jeff, who passed away from stage 4 lung cancer that January. In honor of my teammates, I and others on my team rode “Day 0,” starting from the NY/MA border the day before the official ride started. The added commitment and miles were hard, but it was a special way to honor our teammates.

2017-2018: These rides were special for who we rode for. In February 2017, my colleague’s 5-year-old daughter, Maya, was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma. My team arranged for her to be our pedal partner. We saw her during the training rides we held to her house as well as at the pedal partner rest stop on the first day of the ride. I’m happy to report that she (and all of our past pedal partners) are happy, healthy, and cancer-free!

That brings us to today. For my 16th PMC, I have a lofty goal – to reach the $100,000 lifetime fundraising benchmark. I’ll be putting extra effort into my training rides and fundraising to achieve this goal, but with your help, I know we can achieve it.

Every penny of your donation goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund, which has made huge impacts in the 40-year history of the ride. Our pedal partners and my captain Dave are LIVING PROOF that your donations are saving lives.

Please make your donation today in support of my $100,000 lifetime fundraising goal. Together, we are making cancer HISTORY!