A Journey Through Riding the PMC

After riding the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) for over two decades, I am intimately familiar with the physical and emotional roller coaster that defines this incredible two-day (sometimes three-day!) journey across Massachusetts. While every year brings different weather—from torrential downpours to scorching heat waves to beautiful, breezy days—the rhythm of the weekend has become a cherished tradition. If you have ever wondered what it is actually like to ride across the state with tens of thousands of riders, volunteers, and cheerers, here is a glimpse into the milestones that make the PMC the best weekend of the year.

Day 1: Adrenaline, Hills, and Heart
The PMC starts in the dark. Alarms go off around 4:00 AM, and thousands of riders shuffle around under floodlights to load luggage on trucks, pump tires, and grab a quick breakfast - the busy pre-dawn dance to the tune of hard bike shoes clacking on pavement. At 5:30 AM, after a rousing rendition of the National Anthem, a moving sea of cyclists in matching jerseys clips in and rolls out into the sunrise.

The first 40 miles are notoriously hilly, serving as an immediate wake-up call for your legs. However, the difficulty of the early climbs is offset by the incredible energy of the folks who cheer us along. By mid-morning, we hit Cherry Street in Wrentham, a neighborhood that transforms a half-mile stretch of road into a massive party complete with bands, banners, cheering crowds, and even a bagpiper (no Scotland, no party!).

After lunch, physical exhaustion starts to set in, but it is eclipsed by the emotional weight of the ride. The route to the Lakeville water stop is lined with large photos of the "Pedal Partners"—children currently undergoing cancer treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Seeing the smiling faces of our pedal partners over the years, like Charlotte, Maya, Abel, and Zinnia, always brings tears to my eyes and reminds us exactly why we push through the pain. 

After over 100 miles, Day 1 concludes at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne. The post-ride routine is now engrained in my DNA: park the bike, sign up for a 15-minute massage, grab a much-needed shower, and enjoy the ultimate recovery fuel—an ice-cold beer and all the food I could ever want to eat.

Day 2: Sunrises, Roller Coasters, and the Dunes
Day 2 begins with another pre-dawn wake-up. As we leave Bourne, we immediately face the slow, steep climb over the Bourne Bridge, which rewards us with a breathtaking sunrise. From there, we speed along the Cape Cod Canal bike path before tackling the exhilarating, undulating hills of Service Road—the closest thing you can experience to a roller coaster on a bicycle.

The Day 2 route is packed with iconic milestones. Around mile 38, we ride past "Da Hedge," a massive wall of cheering children from the Cape Cod Sea Camps. In Wellfleet, we are powered up a particularly steep hill by mt teammate's family passing out Twizzlers and Red Bull.

The final stretch tests every ounce of remaining endurance. We push through the challenging Truro hills and battle the often-windy, exposed stretches of Route 6. Finally, we navigate the steep dunes of the Provincelands just a mile before the finish line. Before officially finishing in Provincetown, my teammates and I uphold a sacred tradition: we stop at Herring Cove Beach, raise plastic glasses filled with electrolyte-packed water, and share a "champagne" toast to celebrate our camaraderie and the successful completion of another PMC.

The Finish Line and Beyond
Re-entering the "real world" after the PMC is always a bit jarring. You immediately miss the constant cheers, the signs reading "I'm alive because of you," and the unparalleled display of human goodness. But while the ride ends in Provincetown, our mission continues.

Every sweaty mile, steep climb, and drop of rain endured is dedicated to raising critical, unrestricted funding for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Because 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to the Jimmy Fund, your donations go as far as possible fuel the innovative research and life-saving care that is actively making cancer history.

As I continue to prepare to saddle up for my 23rd PMC, please consider making a cancer-fighting donation today. Together, we are getting closer by the mile.

Back in the Saddle - My 23rd PMC

First training ride of the season!

While the weather hasn’t been cooperating much lately (cold and rainy Memorial Day weekends are never fun!), we are solidly in Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) training season. My teammates and I did a training ride on Saturday before the rain hit. It was my first of many outdoor training rides to come this spring and summer. Getting ready to ride my 23rd PMC takes effort, and I look forward to putting in the work this year. 

23 isn’t a particularly remarkable milestone year, but there are some significances about this year’s ride that I should highlight. 

Maggie having fun at Dana-Farber!

• Worcester Start. For the first time since 1981 (the year I was born), the PMC will not begin in Sturbridge. Last year, we said goodbye to the PMC’s longest-standing starting location, and this year we welcome the new starting location: the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. This shortens the Day 1 route by about 9 miles, but don’t worry, I have a plan to more than make up for that! 
• Half My Life. I’m 44. I rode my first PMC when I was 22 (ironically, while living in Worcester, which makes the new Worcester start that much more meaningful). Half my life - and my entire adult life - has involved me riding the PMC. It is as much a part of my identity as my career. And I have no plans to change that anytime soon. 
• Maggie. Team Kinetic Karma has a new Pedal Partner this year! Maggie is a vibrant six year old currently undergoing cancer treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Rocking her signature pink headband, she always makes a bee line to the resource room at the clinic to play with Dana-Farber staff and volunteers. I am excited to meet her this summer on a team training ride! 

One of the primary reasons I keep coming back to ride the PMC is the huge impact it has on life-saving cancer discoveries. Last year, the PMC raised $78 million that directly went to fund an amazing array of investments in a cancer-free future. Notably, $10.6 million went to fight pediatric cancers. Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children in the United States. At the same time, its rarity in comparison to adult cancer has discouraged industry investment in the development of new treatments. As Dana-Farber’s top supporter of pediatric oncology, the PMC has played a paramount role in filling this critical funding gap. Children like Maggie and all of our past Pedal Partners have and will benefit from your support of the PMC and Dana-Farber. 

Ready to ride year 23!

The other $67.2 million went to other extremely worthwhile investments in the fight against cancer - hematologic oncology, gastrointestinal oncology, radiation oncology, and neuro-oncology to name a few. Additionally, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is investing in its labs, patient care facilities, and its people to continue to grow and improve how it conducts research and delivers compassionate care to its over 100,000 patients annually. 

You, my donors, are a huge part of these advancements and investments. And due to the efficiency of the PMC (100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to the Jimmy Fund, the fundraising arm of Dana-Farber), you can be sure that your hard-earned dollars are going as far as possible toward the fight against cancer. 

My fundraising goal this year is $20,000. Ambitious? Yes. But the unrestricted funding that the PMC raises through your donations enables Dana-Farber scientists to achieve their many breakthroughs. This is why I ride, year after year, and ask you to make your generous contributions. Together, we are making cancer HISTORY. 

Please make your cancer-fighting donation today. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.