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.